Class 50 - Revised NSE (dark blue w/WofE branding) - 50029 'Renown'

Class 50 - Revised NSE (dark blue w/WofE branding) - 50029 'Renown'After the first run release of 50017, one of the first pair of Class 50s to be released in the original Network SouthEast livery, the calls for the later version of the scheme have become deafening. 50029 Renown was the last of 14 examples to gain the same paint job as Royal Oak in June 1987, which it swapped for the revised darker blue variant in December 1989 courtesy of Laira depot. Named in October 1978 and refurbished in May 1982, it had no idea

After the first run release of 50017, one of the first pair of Class 50s to be released in the original Network SouthEast livery, the calls for the later version of the scheme have become deafening. 50029 Renown was the last of 14 examples to gain the same paint job as Royal Oak in June 1987, which it swapped for the revised darker blue variant in December 1989 courtesy of Laira depot. Named in October 1978 and refurbished in May 1982, it had no idea what colourful future awaited it when it was released from the ‘Plant’ in the then brash large logo look. In fact, 50029 was one of nine members of the type to receive two versions of ‘toothpaste’, with 50017 and 50048 both gaining all three! By its final repaint, the look of the revised NSE locomotives had settled down with a more consistent application, while the BR double arrow was finally ditched – an original condition of the new sector identity from ‘the board’ – in favour of the West of England route branding. By the time of its withdrawal with a seized power unit at the same time as 50046 Ajax in March 1992 it was one of the last of the six 100mph EE Type 4s still active, while 50030 Repulse was stopped just two weeks later. This left only 50007 Sir Edward Elgar, 50033 Glorious and 50050/D400 to represent the fleet. 50029 and 50030 were later sold to Operation Collingwood, a charity that had the ambitious goal of returning the locomotives to the main line with modern components while training engineering apprentices. The organisation had also acquired heavily stripped 50001/023/040/045 from Booth’s of Rotherham. When this collapsed in 2002, the newly formed Renown Repulse Restoration Group secured the two locomotives in better condition and moved them to Peak Rail at Rowsley. While they were quickly cosmetically restored, the pair have yet to turn a wheel in preservation, and 50030's rebuild is still several years from completion. Once this is finished, 50029 will receive another cosmetic refresh while the society assess the future of the locomotive.