TT3014TXSM BR, Class 50, Co-Co, 50040, 'Leviathan' - Era 7 (Sound Fitted)

The Class 50 locomotives, built by English Electric at the Vulcan Foundry in Newton-le-Willows between 1967 and 1968, were the last purpose-designed mixed-traffic locomotives built in the UK. In total, 50 examples were built and introduced on the West Coast Main Line (WCML). The aim was to speed up passenger timings on the then non-electrified portion of railway to Glasgow, and to haul express passenger trains at 100mph. 

By 1974, the entire line had been electrified so the locomotives were redeployed to other regions as planned. When delivered, the Class 50s were leased to British Rail by a subsidiary of English Electric. They were later sold to the British Railways Board.

The Class 50s were incredibly powerful. Indeed, following the full electrification of the WCML and the introduction of more powerful DMUs in the late 1980’s, they were almost pointlessly powerful, and were withdrawn as their roles were handed to more efficient DMUs. All examples of the Class were named, which was unusual for corporate BR diesel locomotives, and in the end, 18 examples were preserved.

Locomotive 50040 started life as D440 and received the name, Leviathan, after a Royal Navy ship in 1978. The locomotive was in service until 1990, at which point it was withdrawn and stored awaiting confirmation of its fate. In June 2008, with most useful parts removed, the cutter's torch descended on 50040 at Sims Metal Management in Halesowen, some 80 miles from where it was constructed.