50008 Thunderer

50008 Thunderer worked its last train in November 1991 and was withdrawn in June 1992 due to it being surplus to requirements, thereby becoming the 46th Class 50 locomotive to be withdrawn after over 24 years of active service. Its engine hours stood at 8,537.

After its withdrawal, 50008 was initially purchased by Pete Waterman but was then subsequently sold for commercial use to Sea Containers Limited in 1998. The locomotive remained in their ownership for several years stored outside at London & North Western Railway (LNWR), Crewe with the intention that it was eventually going to be exported abroad. Externally, the locomotive lost its jumper cables and had one of its high power front headlights plated over. Internally, several items of equipment were removed prior to the now-abandoned export of the locomotive to Peru. In 2006 it was sold to a private individual who funded its restoration, some of which was undertaken whilst it remained at LNWR.

The locomotive is now painted in a new all-grey RailAdventure livery, having previously been painted in the British Rail Laira blue livery it once carried during its final years with British Rail.

Dates: 2005-2023