50 035 "Ark Royal" 

This locomotive was the first member of the class to be preserved. It was handed over to The Fund by Chris Green, the then Managing Director of Network South East (the last BR operating unit to use class 50's) at the 1991 Old Oak Common (in West London) Open Day. The locomotive was then moved to St. Leonards Depot were Fund members gave "Ark Royal" an overhaul.
 

In September 1996 Ark Royal left St. Leonards Railway Engineering by Road for the Severn Valley Railway. Alelleys Heavy Haulage took the locomotive over the South Downs on the A21, round the M25, up the M40, round the M42 and into Kidderminster with a police escort all the way.

After completing the large logo livery and correcting a few minor faults she appeared at the Autumn Diesel Gala, where she double-headed trains with 44 and 31 on the Bewdley to Kidderminster stretch of the line.

 
Since returning to traffic '35 has been a regular performer on the SVR. In 2004 an earth fault in the system was detected. Investigation showed that the curse of the main generator earth fault had struck again. Since then '35 has sat out the 2004, 2005, and 2006 running seasons. To allow the repair to take place she has had her main power plant removed, and the generator sent away for repair. 

While the generator and power unit are out, the engine room has been striped and the bodywork gritted blasted. 

It is hoped that Ark Royal might make a reappearance for the later half of the 2007 running season.  

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