Hornby: NSE Co-Co Diesel Electric ‘Indomitable’ ‘50026’ Class 50
Construction of the Class 50 locomotive fleet, which was built by the English Electric Company and, unusually for the time, leased to British Rail, took place at the Vulcan Foundry at Newton-le-Willows between February 1966 and October 1967. Employed by BR on the West Coast Main Line to haul trains north from Crewe to Glasgow and Edinburgh, frequent double heading made the most of their 100mph capability to improve journey times. Classified as English Electric Type 4, the completed locomotives were given the running numbers of D400 to D449, the “D” prefix being dropped following the end of steam traction.
At the completion of electrification in 1972, the Class 50 locomotives were gradually transferred to the Western Region for use on the Paddington (London) to Bristol and South West routes. During this time, all fifty locomotives were purchased from the English Electric Company by British Railways and responsibility for maintenance was handed over to Doncaster Works. During the mid-1970s, under TOPS, British Rail renumbered locomotives 401 to 449 to 50001 to 50049, with number 400 becoming 50050. Following a period where the policy of locomotive naming had been abandoned, British Rail were persuaded to name the Class 50s after notable Royal Navy ships, the first locomotive naming occurring in January 1978 when 50035 was named Ark Royal.
Specifics:
- Gauge: 00
- DCC Type: DCC Ready
- Livery: NSE
- Class: 50
- Purpose: Express Passenger
- Wheel Configuration: Co-Co
Hornby is a household name and is famous as the UK brand leader in the model railway hobby