50006 Neptune passes the site of Challow station on 12 August 1980 with the 1A01 08:31 Cheltenham to Paddington service. 50006 was the first Class 50 to be refurbished, and in common with the first few released to traffic was outshopped in plain blue livery and with the position for the new headlamp covered with a blanking plate, allegedly due to shortage of parts. It is seen in this condition here. Long before the reinstatement of the relief lines, the remains of Challow station are gradually being taken over by nature, and the well known local scrap and recycling firm Haynes of Challow were still using the old station site to store their vehicles.