‘Hoover’ Royal Oak saved by Great Central Railway

CLASS 50 No. 50017 Royal Oak has been acquired by the Great Central Railway (GCR) from Boden Rail, Eastcroft, Nottingham.

This followed a few days when the loco’s future was in doubt, with various means of disposal being considered, including dismantling for spares.

A sale fell through in late-January, and as funds and space were required urgently drastic action was called for.

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Class 50 No. 50017 *Royal Oak* was bought by Boden Rail, then at Washwood Heath, in 2014. The EE Type 4 was displayed with six other members of the class at Old Oak Common open day on September 2, 2017, where it is seen the previous day. The NSE-liveried loco appeared in public again at the Severn Valley Railway’s Class 50 jubilee event last October. Picture: JACK BOSKETT

The GCR secured the loco on February 1, minus its main line safety equipment, which has been removed as this is not required.

Transport to Loughborough was arranged for later in the month.

No. 50017 will see regular use, possibly appearing at the GCR’s April 13-14 diesel gala, with visiting Class 14 No. D9537.

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Read more News and Features in the March 2019 issue of The RM –on sale now!

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Nigel Devereux

Railway Production Editor at Mortons Media Group Ltd.

Nigel Devereux is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Lincoln, working in the School of English and Journalism. He has worked within the print publishing industry for 38 years. Nigel was editor of his hometown newspaper - The Horncastle News - from 1998-2001. Nigel is currently the Production Editor on The Railway Magazine, the UK’s biggest selling magazine for railway enthusiasts. He is also responsible for maintaining and updating several websites across the Mortons portfolio.
01507 529529 | NDevereux@Mortons.co.uk

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