| D400 (50050 'Fearless') in Yeovil Railway Centre Shed February 2015. (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
| 50050 'Fearless' to leave Yeovil Railway Centre - Photos from 13 February 2015 below. The announcement by D400 Group that the locomotive has been sold is reproduced below. The precise date for departure is Yeovil Railway Centre has been pleased to offer D400 a home for many years whilst its overhaul has been on-going. We hope that perhaps the locomotive will return in the future once its return to main line running condition has been completed. We obviously wish the new owner well and look forward to hearing about D400's progress. D400 Fund Press Release The D400 Fund, custodians of pioneer Class 50, D400 / 50050 Fearless are pleased to announce the sale of the locomotive to Boden Rail Engineering Limited. 50050 Fearless will move from its home, Yeovil Railway Centre to a new home at Washwood Heath before the end of February. 50050 was not for sale, but the chance to return the locomotive to the mainline to operate with 50007 and 50017 was too good an opportunity to turn down. Health issues surrounding some of those involved with 50050 and the ever present worry over potential copper theft also played a part in this decision. Neil Boden commented "The loco is in a good condition which we can turn around to a high standard thanks to the efforts made so far." 50050 is nearing the end of a bodywork and radiator fan overhaul which has seen large amounts of new metal welded into the locomotive. The fan motor has been overhauled as have the control units, resistors and wiring. Richard Thompson from the D400 Fund commented "I am so pleased by this sale. I look forward to seeing 50050 back on the mainline, also at galas and celebrating the classes 50th anniversary in 2017" Spare parts bought by the D400 Fund will be included in the sale. Parts bought by members of the group will be donated to our friends with 50027 Lion. Any funds left will be donated to the 50027 group. Our spare CU1 currently on loan to 50008 will be donated to that locomotive. |
| 13 February 2015 saw 50050 'Fearless' depart Yeovil Railway Centre (after 10 years residence) for its new home at Washwood Heath and a return to main line running condition. Originally booked to be collected by both 50017 'Royal Oak' and 50007 'Hercules' (aka 'Sir Edward Elgar) in the event only 50007 arrived. The event certainly attracted a great deal of interest and many thanks to the various photographers who have sent in pictures. |
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| Ron Weston's Fowler locomotive is used to move 50050 out of the Engine Shed and eventually onto the pit ready for collection. |
| Little and Large. |
| Whilst awaiting the arrival of 50007, the opportunity was taken to shunt various vehicles around in readiness for the start of Peckett 'Pectin's 10 yearly overhaul. (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
| 50007 arrives at Yeovil Junction after running from Washwood Heath/Gloucester via Taunton and Castle Cary (Photo courtesy Martin Duff) |
| (Photo courtesy Roland Groom) |
| The first time these two celebrity 50's have met in many years! (Photo courtesy Roland Groom) |
| The two Class 50's are reunited. |
| (Photo courtesy Bob Tucker) |
| (Photo courtesy Bob Tucker) |
| (Photo courtesy Roland Groom) |
| (Photo courtesy Roland Groom) |
| (Photo courtesy William Gane) |
| Some last minutes greasing of bearings was carried out. (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
| (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
| (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
| The two locos move off the pit and will reverse onto Network Rail metals. (Photo courtesy William Gane) |
| (Photo courtesy William Gane) |
| (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
| (Photo courtesy William Gane) |
| (Photo courtesy Roland Groom) |
| Dummy is pulled off smartly by Basingstoke Box. 'B' = Branch to Pen Mill. |
| Farewell - Its been nice having you - may be you will return in the future? (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
| At Yeovil Pen Mill (Photo courtesy John Day) |
| Round the still operational signalbox and under ex-GWR semaphore signals. (Photo courtesy John Day) |
| Castle Cary - 'Hercules' seen enroute to Yeovil. (Photo courtesy Roger Marsh) |
| The two Class 50s coming off the Yeovil branch. (Photo courtesy Roger Marsh) |
| As only one Class 50 was available for the move, it was necessary to run round 50050 both here and at Taunton. (Photo courtesy Roger Marsh) |
| 50050 was left on its own whilst 50007 ran round. (Photo courtesy Roger Marsh) |
| (Photo courtesy Roger Marsh) |
| Departure for Taunton and eventually Waswood Heath which was reached without incident. (Photo courtesy Roger Marsh) |
| (Photo courtesy Roger Marsh) |
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