Railway Herald
Superpower for a commuter train as Class 50 No. 50023 'Howe' is double headed by fellow classmate No. 50031 'Hood' at Reading Station with an up train for Paddington on 31st March 1990. I doubt this was a true double-header as although the ETH cables are connected between the locos the multiple working cables don't seem to be. No. 50023, originally D423, was named 'Howe' by the Western Region after the last King George V class Battleship in May 1978. Although looking very smart in this photo she was withdrawn soon after in October 1990. Purchased for preservation, this project ultimatly failed and the loco was unfortunately scrapped at Barrow Hill by a team from Booths of Rotherham during March 2004. The other Class 50 No. 50031 'Hood' would survive after withdrawl and can be found today on the Severn Valley Railway in the care of the Fofty Fund.
Bob Woolnough
