Would a Class 50 be seen here?

[Networksoutheaster]

Hi all,

Newbie here so please be gentle.

I’m looking at building a model of my childhood station Hither Green early 90s.

I was wondering if the class 50 in Network Southeast livery would be seen around this area let alone stopping.

Hope somebody can share their knowledge with me please.

Cheers

Chris

[Brian]

Hi Chris and Welcome to the forum.

I personally never saw a "Hoover" on the Southern (SE sector) but that doesn't mean they never ran on South Eastern rails! Possible Specials into HG depot for a refuel etc? However, Wikipedia for the Class 50 states "At the start of the 1990s, the reliability of the fleet became a problem again. By this time, the class was solely used on the West of England route."
Majority of locos in the 1990's would have been mainline diesels of classes 33, and 47 and Electro-Diesel class 73. Occasional class 37 visitor.
There could also be different locos from other regions working on the rails of the South Eastern sector.

No doubt LD&CR will be along shortly to give full information.

[glencairn]

Hi Chris. Welcome on board

Like Brian I have never seen a Class 50 in the SE Sector, so therefore I cannot answer correctly.

Off course you can quote Rule 1, like I did on my Yorkshire based layout. I ran my Class 50 on Rule 1 believing they never ventured north of Birmingham. Around two years of doing this I acquired a book on Railways around Leeds. Lo and behold a picture of a Class 50 at Leeds Central on a train departing for Plymouth. Yes!!!

Now I am seeking a picture of a Class 52 in Leeds. (I have 12 Class 52 because I like them. )

Be like me regarding Rule 1. Maybe proof of a 50 will turn up later. If not, so what. Enjoy running the Class 50 on 'a Special Train'.

Glencairn

[Walkingthedog]

No picture but this from an article by Michael Kaye.

"The reference to the Class 52 Western dates the story to January 20th 1977 when 1013 'Western Ranger' was called upon to work the 07.30 Swansea - Leeds, there being a shortage of boiler equipped locomotives at Swansea on this day. A Gloucester driver was in charge of it when it reached Derby. Here Holbeck men were waiting to work the train forward to Leeds"

[glencairn]

No picture but this from an article by Michael Kaye.

"The reference to the Class 52 Western dates the story to January 20th 1977 when 1013 'Western Ranger' was called upon to work the 07.30 Swansea - Leeds, there being a shortage of boiler equipped locomotives at Swansea on this day. A Gloucester driver was in charge of it when it reached Derby. Here Holbeck men were waiting to work the train forward to Leeds"

"Yes!!!" Thanks WTD.

Glencairn

[Walkingthedog]

Rule 1 not required

[Carl L]

Not quiet Hither Green but just to add one to the mix;

Today I saw an image of an ex-works Class 50 at Hull, way off the beaten track but on a running in turn from Doncaster Works. So any excuse will suffice

Wish I'd seen the Western at Leeds.

[LC&DR]

There is absolutely no reason why a class 50 could not have visited Hither Green and although I have not seen any reports as such various classes did arrive here over the years on transfer moves. Difficulty arises with driver traction knowledge so unless a South Western Division driver had route knowledge then a South Eastern Division route conductor would have been required.

I have personally seen a class 55 (Deltic) at Sittingbourne on a rail tour, and classes 45 and 52 often worked to Hoo Junction on inter-Regional freights. Classes 15, 16, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27, 31, 37, and 47 were also occasional visitors over the years.

In BR days (when I worked as a diagrammer in South Eastern Division Engine Diagrams at Beckenham) Hither Green drivers were conversant of classes 08 / 09 / 33 / 47 / 71 / 73. Nowadays it is a DBS depot and includes drivers who work many different classes of diesel including class 37 and 66, steam classes and many others.

I have a Hattons LMS Beyer Garratt in 4mm scale which can run on my layout based on Gillingham (73D) when the mood strikes.

[Brian]

Well done LC&DR as you confirm my suspicions, as being a former SE sector person.
I too have seen class 37 running on SE rails many times.
But never saw a Beyer Garratt at Gillingham! Never mind as Rule 1 applies always.