50007
Hercules
50007 is perhaps best known as being the Laira celebrity loco, being renamed Sir Edward Elgar and painted in Brunswick Green for the GWR 150 celebrations in 1985. At the time this was a controversial move, perhaps more to do with the change of name than the colour. As a result, 50007 spent its final years travelling the country for depot open days and special events as well as its regular duties.
50007 was purchased from another mainline operator in 2016 to become our third mainline certified loco, joining 50044 and 50049 in having all the necessary equipment and certifications. In recognition of a close professional relationship, carrying out ad-hoc work with GBRf, the loco was painted in their corporate colours between 2019- 2024. When Hercules was unveiled out shopped in the classic large logo livery on the 9th August 2024 it was, for many rail enthusiasts the first time they her in this livery, as she carried it for less then a year back in the early eighties, before becoming Sir Edward Elgar.
When 50007 joined our fleet, work was carried out on the engine and generator before 50007 (numbered 50014 and Warspite on the opposite side) returned to mainline work.
She has also adopted the number and name, 50034 Furious between 2021-2024 in recognition of Paul Taylor.
