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|events1 = Purchased by The 50 Fundfor preservation

'''50031 Hood ''' is a '''BR Class 50 ''' diesel locomotive.

Fifty The English Electric Type 4 (later BR Class 50) diesel locomotives locomotive was the last main-line diesel locomotive designed for BR. The fifty members of the class were built by English Electric at their Vulcan Foundry Works plant in Newton-le-Willows between 1967 and 1968. When built they were numbered in the D4xx series. They later became BR’s Class 50, being allocated TOPS numbers in the 50xxx series. The class was nicknamed “Hoovers” "Hoovers" because of the distinctive sound of the inertial air-filters with which the locomotives were originally fitted.

Initially the locomotives were all based at Crewe and used to haul express passenger trains on the West Coast Main Line (WCML) between Crewe and Scotland; that section not then being electrified. This often entailed ‘Multiple Working’'Multiple Working', with two locomotives under control of a single driver.

By 1974 the northern WCML had been electrified, and the Class 50 fleet was being transferred to BR’s Western Region to work main line passenger services out of London Paddington, replacing the 'Western Hydraulics' which were in the course of being withdrawn. The arrival of HSTs after 1976 saw them transferred onto other work, including Waterloo to Exeter trains and inter-regional trains from both Bristol and Paddington to Birmingham New Street.

Withdrawal The low number of the class began in the early 1990sClass 50s made them a target for BR's fleet rationalisation plan of 1985, and they were progressively withdrawn between 1987 and 1992.

D431 entered service at allocated to the BR Stoke Division in July 1968, having been built as English Electric Works No 3801/D1172. Less than a year later she was derailed at Lancaster whilst in charge of a parcels train.In May 1973 D431 was transferred to Crewe, being re-numbered 50031 in February 1974. Following electrification of the WCML, 50031 moved to Plymouth Laira, moving again to London’s Old Oak Common in May 19801976.

 After working Waterloo-Exeter services and inter-regional services to New Street as pictured below, 50031 was withdrawn from service by BR on 5th August 1991. <gallery mode=packed heights=150px style="text-align:left">50031 at Reading on 12 May 1979.jpg | 50031 at Reading (1979)50031 passing Sonning Cutting on 01 June 1982.jpg | 50031 at Sonning Cutting near Reading (1982)08.04.83 London Waterloo 50031 (5902888386).jpg | 50031 at Waterloo with a service to Exeter (1983) 47418 & 50031 at Birmingham New Street (6107825093).jpg |50031 (right) at Birmingham New Street (1986)</gallery>

50031 was purchased privately for preservation by two members of [[The Fifty Fund members ]] in December 1991 in near operational condition, having only minor faults when withdrawnwith the intention of placing it under the Fifty Fund's umbrella. <ref name=FiftyFund>The Fifty Fund website</ref> On the understanding that the 'guide price' was £18000, they simply added the last two digits of the loco's number and bid £18031. They later found out that they had outbid their nearest rival by £31. 50031 was in near operational condition, having only minor faults when withdrawn. It was moved to St Leonards in East Sussex in March 1992 for initial repairs . After attention to the mechanical and electrical systems and bodywork, the locomotive began touring, visiting a number of railways including a guest appearance at St Leonardsthe SVR Diesel Gala on 8-10 May 1992 where it became the first Class 50 to haul a public passenger train in preservation. While at the Mid-Hants Railway in April 1993, the locomotive was re-dedicated by members of the HMS Hood Association. Another guest appearance at an SVR Diesel Gala took place on 7-9 May 1993. The 'tour' continued including visits to the NYMR and Midland Railway Centre, ending with an appearance at the 'Exeter 150'31 celebrations on 1-2 May 1994. 50031 then moved to the Severn Valley Railwayas a permanent resident, <ref group="note">The 1998 SVR Stock Book gives May 1994 as the date the locomotive moved to the SVR on a permanent basis. The 1992 and 1993 appearances were described in SVR News as being by a 'visiting locomotive'.</ref> arriving on 6 May 1994 with [[BR Class 50 50044 Exeter|50044 Exeter]].<refname=SB9>SVR Stock Book, ninth edition</ref> It worked <ref>SVR News 105, 107 (Gala appearances)</ref>  After arrival, 50031 became a familiar sight on SVR Sumer Saturday 'dated trains', special charters, diesel galas and footplate experiences. The Fifty Fund were also keen to see 50031 working on the main line, and it became only the third preserved diesel to receive mainline certification.<ref name=SB9/><ref group="note">Prior to 50031, Class 46 D172/46035 and Class 55 Deltic D9000/55022 had also received main line certification.</ref> On [[Severn Valley Railway Timeline 1990-1999#1997 | 1 November 1997]] Hood became the first preserved class 50 hauled train to carry fare paying passengershaul a main line railtour, "The Pilgrim Hoover". The tour, originally named "The Pilgrim Hoovers", was to have been double headed with D444 but the latter was not certified in time. 50031 successfully took load 12 single-handed from Birmingham International to Plymouth and return, with the route including the Lickey Bank and the South Devon Banks. <gallery mode=packed heights=150px style="text-align:left">File:Bridgnorth_-_50031_arriving_with_GWR_coaches.jpg|50031 Hood arriving at Bridgnorth in 2013</gallery> 50031 suffered a failure of the Train Heat Generator while at Swanage in May 2014 and was withdrawn from traffic for repairs and attention to the body work.<ref name=FiftyFund/> It was sent to RVEL, Derby for refurbishment in June 2015. On 11 April 2016, it was revealed in a fictitious BR Inter-City livery, with the locomotive returning to the SVR on 13 April 2016.<ref>[http://www.railwayherald.co.uk/imagingcentre/view/425082/TW Railway Herald]</ref> Following a return to service, the locomotive was re-dedicated in a ceremony at Kidderminster on 17 September 2016. The ceremony marked two anniversaries; 100 years since the keel of HMS Hood was laid in 1916 and 75 years since the ship was sunk during World War 2.

In 50031 was withdrawn from service in 2020 pending an engine overhaul.<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/blsep20 Branch Lines newsletter, September 2020] (Retrieved 29 August 2020)</ref> This is not likely to commence until after the completion of [[Severn Valley Railway Timeline 1990-1999#1997 | November 1997BR Class 37 37308]] Hood was the first mainline-certified preserved class 50 to haul a main line railtour<ref>SVR News 218, Summer 2022, “The Pilgrim Hoover” from Birmingham International to Plymouth via the South Devon Banksp. 24</ref>.

50031 was sent to RVEL, Derby for refurbishment in June 2015. On 11 April 2016, it was revealed in a fictitious In August 2022 the [[http://www.railwayherald.co.uk/imagingcentre/view/425082/TW BR Inter-City liveryClass 50 Alliance Limited|Class 50 Alliance]], with announced that "''2022 marks 30 years since the locomotive returning to first run of a Class 50 on the SVR on 13 April 2016when 50031 appeared at the 1992 Diesel Gala and became the first 50 to haul a public passenger train in preservation. Following a return We are going to service, the locomotive was re-dedicated in a ceremony at Kidderminster celebrate this anniversary formally on 17 Saturday 24th September 2016. The ceremony marked 2022 when 50s are rostered to "S1 diagram" with two anniversaries; 100 years since round trips on the SVR commencing with the keel of HMS Hood was laid 09:45 departure from Kidderminster. To all our supporters and shareholders both old and new, we would very much like to see you there if possible to celebrate this important milestone in 1916 and 75 years since the ship was sunk during World War 2.ongoing Class 50 story!''"

It was withdrawn from service ===50031 Hood on the main line in 2020 pending an engine overhaul.preservation===<refgallery mode=packed heights=150px style="text-align:left">[httpsFile://www.svrlive.com/blsep20 Branch Lines newsletter50031 + 50049 at Westbury working a London Paddington to London Paddington via Westbury, September 2020] add-on tour from The Inter-City in March 2002 (Retrieved 29 August 20202)</ref> This is not likely to commence until after the completion of [[BR Class 37 37308]]<ref>SVR News 218, Summer 2022, p. 24jpg|50031 (431) and 50049 on a rail tour in March 2002</refgallery>.

An incomplete A list of 50031's main line appearances is as follows(possibly incomplete):

|data-sort-value="1/11/1997| 1 Nov 1997|| The Pilgrim Hoover || Past-Time Rail|| Birmingham Int's to Plymouth + return || || [https://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/90s/971101pr.htm]|-|data-sort-value=16/909/2000" | 16 September Sep 2000||The Celtic Hoover Hoovers || Pathfinder Tours || Birmingham New Street to Glasgow Central + return || 50031 (as D431) + 50149 || [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/00s/000916pt.htm SBJ]|-|data-sort-value=30/06/2001 | 30 Jun 2001|| Cornwall || Pathfinder Tours || Worcester to Penzance + return || 50031 + 449 || [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/00s/010630pt.htm SBJ]"|-|data-sort-value=07/07/2001 | 7 Jul 2001|| Galloway Princess || Pathfinder Tours || B'ham International - Carlisle + return || 50031 + 50049 || [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/00s/010707pt.htm SBJ]|-|data-sort-value=03/11/2001 | 3 Nov 2001|| The Northern Lights || Pathfinder Tours || Cardiff to Blackpool + return || || [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/00s/011103pt.htm SBJ]|-|data-sort-value=03/11/2001 | 3 Nov 2001|| Nor' by Nor' West || Pathfinder Tours || Blackpool to Sutton Oak (Hays Chemicals) mini-tour || || [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/00s/011103pt.htm SBJ]|-|data-sort-value=01/12/2001 | 1 Dec 2001|| The County of Kent || Pathfinder Tours || Cardiff to Asford, Kent + return || || [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/00s/011201pt.htm SBJ]|-|data-sort-value=27/04/2002 | 27 Apr 2002|| Brighton Bell || Daylight Railtours || Alresford - Red Hill - Brighton + return || 50031 + 37308 || [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/00s/020427dr.htm SBJ]|-|data-sort-value=04/05/2002 | 4 May 2002|| Penzance Castles || Pathfinder Tours || Lonton to Taunton, Penzance to London || Steam from Taunton to Penzance with 5029 + 5051 || [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/00s/020504pt.htm SBJ]"|-|data-sort-value=13/07/2002 | 13 Jul 2002|| Harrogate Hoovers || Pathfinder Tours || Reading to York + mini-tour & return || 50031 + 50049 || [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/00s/020713pt.htm SBJ]|-|data-sort-value=03/08/2002 | 3 Aug 2002|| Settle & Carlisle Excursion || Pathfinder Tours || Salisbury to Carlisle + return || 50031 + 50049 || [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/00s/020803pt.htm SBJ]|-|data-sort-value=10/08/2002 | 10 Aug 2002|| The West Wales Excursion || Pathfinder Tours || London to Swansea + minitours & return || 50031 + 50049 & 66092 || [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/00s/020810pt.htm SBJ]|-|data-sort-value=22/09/2002 | 22 Sep 2002|| Countryside Alliance || ? || York to Kings Cross + return || 50031 + 50049, one of a series of trains to get people to a large "countryside march" in London. || [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/00s/020922ca.htm SBJ]|-|data-sort-value=21/12/2002 | 21 Dec 2002|| The Cornubian || Pathfinder Tours || Ealing Broadway to Par and Newquay + return || 50031 + 50049 & 66092 || [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/00s/021221pt.htm SBJ]|-|data-sort-value=12/07/2003 | 12 Jul 2003|| The Garden of England || Pathfinder Tours || Cardiff to Canterbury + return || 50031 + 50049 || [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/00s/030712p2.htm SBJ]|-|data-sort-value=16/08/2003 | 16 Aug 2003|| Shrewsbury, Llangollen & Chester || Pathfinder Tours || Reading to Chester + return || 50031 + 50049 || [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/00s/030816_1.htm SBJ]|-|data-sort-value=10/09/2003 | 10 Sep 2003|| Cathedrals Express || Steam Dreams || Waterloo to Salisbury + return || Replaced 34016 Bodmin due to a steam ban || [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/00s/030910sd.htm SBJ]|-|data-sort-value=20/09/2003 | 20 Sep 2003|| The Cream of Cornwall || Pathfinder Tours || Slough to Par + return || 50031 + 50049 || [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/00s/030920pt.htm SBJ]|-|data-sort-value=29/11/2003 | 29 Nov 2003|| York, Harrogate or Leeds || Pathfinder Tours || Swindon to Harrogate and Leeds + return || 50031 + 50049 || [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/00s/031129p2.htm SBJ]|-|data-sort-value=16/12/2003 | 16 Dec 2003|| The Christmas Diner I || Pathfinder Tours || Gloucester to Gloucester via Hereford || 50031 + 50049 || [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/00s/031216pt.htm SBJ]|-|data-sort-value=18/12/2003 | 18 Dec 2003|| The Christmas Diner III || Pathfinder Tours || Bristol Temple Meads to Bristol Temple Meads via Exeter || 50031 + 50049 || [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/00s/031216pt.htm SBJ]|-|data-sort-value=24/07/2004 | 24 Jul 2004|| The Eden Belle || Pathfinder Tours || Guildford to Par + return || 50031 + 50049 || [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/00s/040724pt.htm SBJ]|-|data-sort-value=27/08/2004 | 27 Aug 2004|| The Northern Lights || Pathfinder Tours || B'han Int to Preston, Carlisle to B'ham New Street || || [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/00s/040827pt.htm SBJ]|-|data-sort-value=25/09/2004 | 25 Sep 2004|| The Royal Sovereign || Steamy Affairs || Kings Lynn to Bath Spa + return || 50031 + 50049 || [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/00s/040925_3.htm SBJ]|-|data-sort-value=09/10/2004 | 9 Oct 2004|| The Alton Observer || Pathfinder Tours || Sheffield - London Victoria - Alresford - Sheffield || 50031 + 50049 & 60001 ||As D431[http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/00s/041009pt. htm SBJ]|-|data-sort-value="27/11/2004" | 27 Nov 2004||The Yorkshire Royale||Pathfinder||Cardiff-Derby (detached/reattached)-York (steam) ||With 50049 Defiance and 6233 Duchess of Sutherland|| [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/00s/041127pt.htm SBJ] <ref name="EEOrg">[http://www.englishelectric.org.uk/f819756767 Englishelectric.org website] (Retrieved 21 January 2018)</ref>|-| data-sort-value=18/12/2004 | 18 Dec 2004|| Luncheon Festive Dining Excursion || Pathfinder Tours || Bristol - Salisbury - Reading - Bristol || 50031 (on rear) + 50049 || [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/00s/041218pt.htm SBJ]|-|data-sort-value=18/12/2004 | 18 Dec 2004|| Evening Festive Dining Excursion || Pathfinder Tours || Cardiff to Worcester + return || 50031 (on rear) + 50049 || [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/00s/041218p2.htm SBJ]|-|data-sort-value=12/02/2005 | 12 Feb 2005|| BBC Filming Special (?) || ? || Paddington to Frome & Westbury + return || 50031 + 50049 || [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/00s/050212_2.htm SBJ]|-|data-sort-value=04/03/2005 | 4-7 Mar 2005|| The Monarch of the Glen || Pathfinder Tours || Swindon to Fort William & Mallaig + return || 50031 + 50049 || [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/00s/050304pt.htm SBJ]|-|data-sort-value=09/04/2005 | 9 Apr 2005|| The Irish Mail || Steamy Affairs || Ashford to Crewe, Crewe to Tonbridge || 50031 + 50049 || [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/00s/050409_1.htm SBJ]|-|data-sort-value=07/05/2005 | 7 May 2005|| The Irish Mail || Steamy Affairs || St Albans to Crewe + return || 50031 + 50049 || [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/00s/050507sa.htm SBJ]|-|data-sort-value=30/05/2005 | 30 May 2005|| Football special || ? || Stratford (London) to Cardiff + return || 50031 + 50049 || [http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/00s/050530_4.htm SBJ]

|data-sort-value="2707/1108/2004" 2005 | 27 November 20047 Aug 2005||The Yorkshire RoyaleFootball special ||Pathfinder? ||Kensington Olympia to Cardiff-Derby (detached/reattached)-York (steam) + return ||With 50031 + 50049 Defiance and 6233 Duchess of Sutherland|| <ref name="EEOrg">[http://www.englishelectricsixbellsjunction.orgco.uk/f819756767 Englishelectric00s/050807_1.org websitehtm SBJ] (Retrieved 21 January 2018)</ref>

|data-sort-value="426/308/2005" | 4 March 26 Aug 2005||The Monarch Of The Glen Whistling Scotsman ||PathfinderTours || Birmingham to Bradford, York to Birmingham ||With 50049 Defiance || <ref name="EEOrg"[http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/00s/>050826pt.htm SBJ]

|data-sort-value="2924/409/2005" | 29 May 24 Sep 2005||The Pixies Revenge/ Eden Belle || Pathfinder Tours || Banbury to Penzance + return ||With 50031 + 50049 Defiance || <ref name="EEOrg"[http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/00s/>050924pt.htm SBJ]

|data-sort-value="101/10/2005" | 1 October Oct 2005||The Devonshire Riviera Express || Steamy Affairs|| Northampton to Bristol, Kingswearto Northampton ||With 50031 + 50049 Defiance and . Also [[60009 Union of South Africa]] || <ref name="EEOrg"[http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/00s/>051001sa.htm SBJ]

|data-sort-value="2515/310/2006" 2005 | 25 March 200615 Oct 2005||The Redmire RamblerDevonshire Riviera Express ||PathfinderSteamy Affairs || Cardiff to RedmireAshford Int'l - Kingswear - Newton Abbot; Westbury - Ashford Int'l ||With 50031 + 50049 Defiance|| <ref name="EEOrg"[http:/>/www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/00s/051015sa.htm SBJ]

|data-sort-value="1604/612/2006" 2005 | 16-19 June 20064 Dec 2005||The OrcadianRhymney Valley Diesel Extravaganza ||PathfinderArriva Trains Wales || Swindon Cardiff to Inverness, Kyle of Lochalsh, Wick and ThursoRhymney + return ||With 50049 Defiance50031 + 37411 || <ref name="EEOrg"[http:/>/www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/00s/051204cv.htm SBJ]

|data-sort-value="1625/1203/2006" | 16 December 25 Mar 2006||The Airean RaiderRedmire Rambler ||PathfinderTours || Cardiff Central to LeedsRedmire + return ||With 50031 + 50049 Defiance|| <ref name="EEOrg"[http:/>/www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/00s/060325pt.htm SBJ]

==GallerySee also==<gallery>*[[Diesel Locomotives]]File:Bridgnorth_*[[List of preservation groups]]*[[SVR-_50031_arriving_with_GWR_coaches.jpgbased diesel locomotives visiting other events]]*[[Locomotive numbering|50031 Hood arriving at Bridgnorth</gallery>Locomotives running under different identities]]

==See alsoNotes==[[Diesel Locomotives]]<br>[[List of preservation groups]]<br>[[SVR-based diesel locomotives visiting other events]]<brreferences group="note"/>[[Locomotive numbering|Locomotives running under different identities]]

*[http://www.class50alliance.co.uk/ Class 50 Alliance web site]<br>*[http://www.fiftyfund.org.uk/ 50 Fund web site] (still maintained)<br>*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_50 British Rail Class 50] on Wikipedia*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Hood HMS Hood] on Wikipedia