Built in 1967, the Class 50s were designed to speed up Intercity Services on the West Coast Mainline north of Crewe.
In 1974, 50044 was relocated to the Bristol Bath Road Shed where it received the name Exeter in 1978. In November 1980 it was relocated to Laira Depot in Plymouth.
It was withdrawn from BR service in January 1991 and purchased by The Fifty Fund.
It is now Preserved at The Severn Valley Railway