Description

The 1980s saw the English Electric Class 50s become synonymous with operations out of two London terminus stations, Paddington and Waterloo. The famous Brunel terminus saw commuter services along the Thames Valley corridor to Oxford and Newbury as well as InterCity trains to Bristol and the West Country. Meanwhile, Waterloo was the origin of services over the former South Western route to Salisbury and Exeter. This book takes a pictorial look at the operation of the mighty 'Hoovers' on both routes with a particular focus on the London end during the type's final years with Network SouthEast. Some time is also spent at Old Oak Common depot, where many of the class were based for maintenance for many years and some ultimately met their end.