Commemorating a long line of Royal Navy warships bearing the name Ark Royal, starting with Sir Walter Raleigh's ship of 1587, 50035 received the name on 10 January 1978, becoming the first class member to carry a name. Initially it did not carry the crest shown here, but as these were fitted only a week later, I presume that pictures of the loco minus them are quite rare! Ark Royal is pictured here at Charlbury on 15 April 1983, with the bodywork showing signs of neglect.