Locomotive Repair Books
A refurbishment programme of the whole class was undertaken at British Rail Engineering Limited (BREL) Doncaster works between 1979 and 1983. The first locomotive was 50006 Neptune. Initially the selection of locomotives was to be on the standard maintenance cycle as and when they were due major works treatment. However this did not go as planned and ad hoc collisions, major failures and general deterioration tended to dictate their order of arrival.
Included in the refurbishment were: radical changes to the air management systems and ventilation; removal of the weight transfer equipment, rheostatic braking, slow speed control and sanding equipment; modification of the engine spillage tank; an overhaul of all major electrical machines; rewinding of all generators and traction motors; re-routing of previous underfloor cables to new trunking routes; modification of the radiatorfan speed control system and a rationalisation of the cab controls.
To the casual observer, the main differences externally were: the addition of a high intensity headlight to each cab end, panelling of the sandbox covers, replacement of a bodyside window by a grille, removal of the roof cut-in at number 2 end and (for the vast majority) the application of the new BR 'large logo' style of livery.
Class 50s
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