Home»Archive Folders»Under Restoration»50002 Superb

50002 Superb worked its last train in August 1991 and was withdrawn in September 1991 due to power unit damage, thereby becoming the 40th Class 50 locomotive to be withdrawn after over 23 years of active service. Its engine hours stood at 8,043.

After its withdrawal, 50002 was purchased by the Devon Diesel Society in December 1991. Two months later it was started-up and in April 1992 50002 became the first of the class to haul a passenger train in preservation. In December 1998 the owners entered into a hire agreement with Deltic 9000 Locomotives Ltd (DNLL) who had plans to run 50002 on the national mainline. Unfortunately this never transpired and the locomotive was left to decay and fall into disrepair at Barrow Hill. In September 2003, following the demise of DNLL, it was finally removed from Barrow Hill and returned to its owners.

The locomotive now resides back at the South Devon Railway again. Although a return to service is a long way off, work has started on the extensive repairs needed to restore the locomotive to working order. Externally 50002 is being cosmetically restored close to an ex-delivery condition by the removal of the high intensity headlight and the restoring of the sandbox covers, roof cut-in and glass headcode panels. The locomotive will also carry its original D402 number.

Dates: 2009