By 1992, only eight Class 50’s were in operational service and several were given special liveries to celebrate their demise, for example, founder member of the Class No. 50050 ‘Fearless’ was given her original running number of D400 and repainted in early British Rail Blue livery. Sunday 24th May 1992 was to be the last day on which Class 50’s were assigned to haul scheduled service trains. The day was organised by the Network SouthEast (NSE) route manager and the BR Special Trains Section with considerable assistance provided by Plymouth Laira depot. It was intended for three Class 50’s to be in service, but in the event, No. 50033 ‘Glorious’ had the less than glorious indignation of suffering generator and traction motor flashover damage on 23rd May and had been declared a failure. She was eventually repaired enough for her to limp back to Exeter light engine. This left two celebrity class members No.’s D400 and 50007 ‘Sir Edward Elgar’ to fly the flag working in multiple between Salisbury and Exeter.

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