The Class 47

The British Rail Class 47 originates from the early 1960s, with the British Transport Commission's decision to completely remove steam locomotives from British Rail's network by a target date of 1968. As a result of this decision, many locomotive classes were designed and built, and were arranged in formation of Type 1 - 5 depending on power outputs.

The target of the removal of steam by 1968 required a large scale build of lightweight Type 4 locomotives, capable of producing 2500bhp but with an axle load of no more than 19 tonnes. Two prototype locomotives were built, one using a Maybach engine (built by Brush Traction) and one using a Sulzer engine (built by BRCW and AEI). The resulting class of locomotive, the Class 47, was built by Brush, but featured a Sulzer powerplant like the opposing experimental locomotive. Both of the prototypes were scrapped.

In total, 512 Class 47s were produced during a period from 1963 to 1968, and were introduced onto cross country express services, as well as local express services and long distance semi fast services, as well as express and heavy freight. The class were used widely across the UK, right up until privatisation came into effect. Initially the class was subclassed as the 47/0, the basic locomotive with steam heating equipment, however as steam heating began to be replaced by electric train heating, extra subclasses were created, the 47/4 was the subclass of locomotives fitted with ETH, 47/3 was the subclass of locomotives with no train heating at all, and therefore were dedicated freight locos. The need to replace locos operating on the Edinburgh - Glasgow shuttle route meant that several locomotives were fitted with TDM to operate in push-pull mode, had long range fuel tanks fitted and were certified for 100mph/160kph running, these locos were numbered in the 47/7 series. Likewise, locos sent for operation on the mail trains were modified to be driven from a propelling control vehicle on the TPO and similar workings, and two 47s were dedicated to power the Royal Train, which is today powered by Class 67s. The last of the 47/4 examples to be converted were the 47/8s, which all had extra fuel tanks for longer range.

However as the units aged and work for them dropped with the introduction of newer multiple units, many examples were withdrawn and scrapped, or sold for preservation. However the class continued into the privatised era, most prominently on passenger trains with Virgin Cross Country before the introduction of the Voyager. These comprised mostly of the 47/8 subclass, and upon retirement by Virgin most of the subclass 8 were bought by other companies for spot hire work, due to the fact they had only recently been overhauled and had a high reliability rating. Today the class 47 is operated by numerous companies for spot hire and charter services, including DRS, Cotswold Rail and Riviera Trains, who are based in Crewe. Class 47 number 47815 "Great Western" is seen stabled in Crewe Diesel depot on 12th January 2010.