Trustworthy, administrator
6,658
edits
Changes
It is owned by 50031 Consortium Limited
50031 was in near operational condition, having only minor faults when withdrawn.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 the 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' celebrations on 1-2 May 1994. 50031 then moved to the Severn Valley Railway as 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]].<ref name=SB9/><ref>SVR News 105, 107 (Gala appearances)</ref>
After arrival, 50031 became a familiar sight on SVR Sumer Summer 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 to haul 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">
In August 2022 the [[Class 50 Alliance Limited|Class 50 Alliance]] announced that "''2022 marks 30 years since the first run of a Class 50 on the SVR when 50031 appeared at the 1992 Diesel Gala and became the first 50 to haul a public passenger train in preservation. We are going to celebrate this anniversary formally on Saturday 24th September 2022 when 50s are rostered to "S1 diagram" with two round trips on the SVR commencing with the 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 the ongoing Class 50 story!''"
It is owned by [[50031 Consortium Limited]].
===50031 Hood on the main line in preservation===
