Alex Coomber
A Class 52 CC Westerns. The Class 52 Westerns were introduced in 1961 to provide a more powerful locomotive on London Paddington to the West of England and South Wales services. Prior to the imposition of the corporate blue. Many appeared in different colours with Maroon, Green and Desert Sand and Golden Ochre appearing. Naming the class was a nice touch with Western preceding some military or heraldic noun. Again poor reliability and the National Traction Plan meant that withdrawal began in 1970 and was completed in 1979. 7 survived into preservation. Seen here is D1010 Western Campaigner built in 1962. She was withdrawn and passes into preservation and the care of the Diesel & Electric Preservation Group. During the period 1987/89. She masqueraded a Western Yeoman and it is in this Green Liveried guise that she is seen at Didcot in May 1987.
