English Electric Class 50 Diesels from the Western Region to Preservation

Peter J Green first photographed Class 50 diesels in action in 1975, while they were still being transferred from the London Midland to the Western Region of British Rail. But it was in the early 1980s, when they were named and painted in Large Logo livery, that his interest in the class really took off. For Peter, they stood out from most other locomotives that were painted in the rather drab Rail Blue livery. The sound of the locomotives, particularly when running at speed, was also very impressive, producing shouts of '50' from waiting photographers. The class became a particular target for his railway photography and many of his trips were made with them in mind. Before their withdrawal in the late 1980s and early 1990s, they were used on many railtours, which always provided good photographic opportunities. Today, with many of the class working on heritage railways. A selection of Peter’s best photos of the Class 50 diesels, taken over a period of forty-five years, appear in these pages.