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The English Electric Type 4 (later BR Class 50) diesel locomotive was the last main-line diesel passenger locomotive designed for BR. <ref name=SB9>SVR Stock Book, ninth edition</ref> 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" because of the distinctive sound of the inertial air-filters with which the locomotives were originally fitted.

50031 was in near operational condition, having only minor faults when withdrawn.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>SVR Stock Book, ninth edition</ref><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.

50031 was withdrawn from service in 2020 2019 following an engine big end bearing failure, pending an engine overhaul.<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/blsep20 Branch Lines newsletter, September 2020] (Retrieved 29 August 2020)</ref><ref>SVR News 225</ref> This is not likely to commence until after the completion of [[BR Class 37 37308]]and other projects.<ref>SVR News 218, Summer 2022, p. 24</ref>.