Restoration of 50021 nears completion
THE PROJECT to restore 50021 Rodney to service at Eastleigh is now at an advanced stage, with a start-up of the locomotive expected to be carried out early in 2022 – more than 20 years after it last worked under its own power. Paul Spracklen, who has spearheaded the restoration of 50021, told Railways Illustrated that the locomotive is now at an advanced stage in its restoration.
But work has taken something of a backseat while he and his team prepare 50026 Indomitable for main line certification.
Work still needs to be completed on the rebuilding of the No. 1 end cab but the majority of other work on the locomotive is now complete; it is filled with coolant but has yet to receive oil, which will be added closer to the time that the locomotive is prepared for starting.
The intention is for this to occur at some point early in the New Year, with a target of a spring completion in order for 50021 to take a leading part in the annual diesel gala and real ale festival on the Swanage Railway in May.
Mr Spracklen said: “I’ve always intended to ensure that Swanage is the first heritage railway event to feature 50021 after completion of its restoration and I want to keep that promise if I possibly can.”
Work on both locomotives has been hampered somewhat by the coronavirus lockdowns, which prevented working parties being able to access the Class 50s at Eastleigh, although work recommenced a few months ago as Government restrictions were relaxed. Originally owned by the 50021 Locomotive Association, 50021 was sold and moved to Eastleigh in 2015 for a comprehensive overhaul to be carried out, having not hauled a train since suffering a serious ETH generator failure in 1999.
After purchase from British Rail, 50021 initially spent several years based on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway before moving to the Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway, where it was based at the time it suffered its ETH failure. It was later moved to Tyseley Locomotive Works, where it was stored until being sold to its current owning consortium.