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Class 47 (Up to 31 July 2013)
Still a few dozen working occasionally on the National Network.Mainly with GBRf,ROG,West-Coast and DRS
Here is another shot of 47376 'Freightliner 1995' on its return duty from Cheltenham Race Course to Laverton.It was ''2L58' that left the bottom of the line at '10:50' Another superbly manicured set of embankments here at Dixton....
..26 july 2013..
The 10:00 from Toddington going to Cheltenham-Race Course '2C55' passes Southam with 47376 in charge.This locomotive carries the name 'Freightliner 1995' and was the first one to wear the then new Company livery,Indeed as it still does here.It is now approaching its 50th birthday and has been in preservation for over a decade since Freightliner dispensed with its services way back in 2001.
..26 july 2013..
Here is a rather interesting working '7Z56' operated by 'Colas' from Westbury going up to Long-Marston.47739/47749 hauling amongst other things a big Kirow-Crane,a RailVac,a Tamper plus various other misc Crane Wagons etc.After arriving late from Eastleigh it actually departed 'right time' 10:15 from Westbury.However when it got to Bristol 47739 suffered a bogie-fire and it was eventually sidelined at Bristol-Parkway.Help in the form of 56302 arrived and that amazing combination/consist eventually continued north in the evening at 20:00 many hours late!
..22 july 2013..
For only the second time since this working has been running the traction today was a Class-47.Here is '6Z51' from Baglan Bay going to Chirk with loaded cut logs. One of the original pair of Colas-47's that company rescued from the scrapyard over 5 years ago was doing the duty 47727 'Rebecca' Here it is seen powering up through Ponthir with its heavy loaded train.
..16 july 2013..
47749 'Damelza' powers past Heytesbury in the Wylye-Valley with '6Z30' from Westbury to Eastleigh.This working although it has only been in the hands of 'Colas Rail' for less than a fortnight has already produced a 47,a 56 and a 57/3.So giving a much needed boost of interest to the local scene around Westbury.-----19 september 2013-----
This shot falls into the catagory 'The one that got away!' It would have been so nice to have pictured this combination in a bit of sunshine but as usual it was not to be.However a fairly reasonable shot was still had of 'Flag' 47580 piloting Black-5 44932 on '5Z36' from Southall going to Bristol.Today,tomorrows train-engine 44932 for '1Z37' to Pr from Bristol-TM was included in the consist thus saving a seperate movement I suppose. Anyway the sun deemed to show itself about a minute after its passing.....the same old story! The location is Claverton in the Limpley-Stoke Valley quite near Bathampton-Junction.I did a nice shot of a DMU-158 about 10 minutes before but its too good to show here because it puts this pictures lighting to shame!
..15 june 2013..
47580,one of the few locomotives operated by 'West Coast Railways' that doesn't look like the owner should carry around a plastic bag and a scoop at all times today operated '5Z40' the empty stock back to Southall from Bristol after the weekends steam tour down to Cornwall.Also along for good measure was A4-Pacific 60009 'Union of South Africa'.The ECS is seen passing Norton-Bavant in the Wylye-Valley on the now regular route back to Southall via Salisbury and Basingstoke.
.. 10 june 2013..
A ridiculously early start time for me of 04:45 was needed to arrive at Didcot North-Junction to ensure I was well in time for this tour '1Z10' that was due to pass at 07:00.However due to cable theft near Royal Wootton Basset and a traction motor fault with this loco it finally passed at 08:00. So here we have an immaculate 47805 'John Scott 12.5.45-22.5.12' hauling this Pathfinder-Tour from Bristol-Temple Meads going to Scaborough. 47802 was on the rear as it passed in the superb early morning low light.
..08 june 2013..
The returning ECS to Southall from Bristol used on yesterdays 'Royal Duchy' tour down to Par running as '5Z40' rolls past Bradford-on-Avon running about 10 minutes early...This is a new route for these returning stock trains via Salisbury and Basingstoke instead of directly via Swindon. West Coast Rly's 'Matt-Sludge-Maroon' 47245 was doing its best to look attractive in the bright sunshine.Just imagine how superb it would look in Large-Logo or 2-tone Green.We live in hope! ..03 june 2013..
The Southall to Bristol-Kingsland Road ECS '5Z36' was today routed via the Salisbury line and then down the Wylye-Valley instead of the more direct route via Swindon.Here is the very faded dour liveried 47245 from West-Coast Railways heading for Salisbury shortly after diverging at Worting-Junction.This stock was intended to be hauled by A4 Pacific 60009 from Bristol on the 2nd (Next day) down to Par from Bristol.In the event the Gresley-Pacific failed and this loco 47245 did the duty rather than cancel the trip entirely.
..01 june 2013..
Having cruised all the way up the M4/M5 under a superb cloudless sky amazingly upon arrival her at Croome-Perry north of Ashchurch the sky filled with clouds within about 15 minutes! Naturally it coincided with the passing of '1Z49' from Tyseley-Birmingham (07:20 off) on the diesel leg of a Railtour going down to the West-Country.The steam pair of 4965&5043 coming on at Bristol. The traction for this leg was the rather under-used 47773/D1755 that lives at Tyseley hence it is not seen in public very often.A sun-shot of this particular '47' would have been nice! ......Pity......
..27 april 2013..
The second train out of Paddington today full of England Supporters heading for Cardiff and a damned good thrashing at the hands of Wales in the Rugby (3-30) was operated by the 'Northern-Belle' with 47828 and 47805 T&T.Here the 11-Coach luxury charter is viewed passing Ashburys Footbridge nr Shrivenham in regretfully pretty dull lighting conditions.
..16 march 2013..
Against my better judgement I was persuaded to venture out today to the Didcot area as several interesting workings were in the offing.However once again the BBC produced an forecast that was basically 3 hours later than predicted hence no real sun or brightness until well after any decent activity was over!Oh-Well--------Here is 47832 on the 'Northern-Belle' from Bristol-TM (08:34 off) going to Kensington-Olympia running as '1Z65' loaded with a bunch of well heeled punters for a Harrods & Knightsbridge shopping expedition at a very seasonal £325 per return ticket.Even the FGW Crooks would have a job matching that! Location for this seasonally dull shot was Steventon nr Didcot. FYI 47828 was DOR.
..10 november 2012..
All is not what it seems here! '0Z37' from Southall to Bodmin was originally supposed to be 37516.However that failed and 47245 was a hurried substitute.However it failed as well at Westbury's Heywood Road Junction!The two Freightliner 66's 66547 and 66622 were eventually sent out from Westbury Yard and are actually pushing the dead-47 into the up-yard at Westbury.
..02 november 2012..
Footnote... This loco was to be the replacement standby engine for the Steam-Motor activity on the Looe Branch this weekend....Strange really as I have been told 47's are barred on that line!!!!!!!!!!! ---------Apparantly special dispensation was given for this loco to work due to the '37' failure---Not that it matters now!
Final shot of a rather lack-lustre day was in the now largely ruined Sydney Gardens in Bath.Although it has to be said if you position yourself carefully (Like this) a picture can still be taken without the ridiculous cheapscate B&Q hazel fence that now blights this location.Subject matter here today is the ECS from Southall to Bristol '5Z34' bringing down the stock for tomorrows steam tour from Bristol-TM down to Cornwall.Loco used today was a reasonably clean 47500 albiet in the disgusting turd brown colour of West-Coast Railways. To see the Jackass fence this classic location has been vandalised with click HERE
..14 september 2012..
Final shot of this train today was of 47832 bringing up the rear of '1Z79' as it rapidly disappears towards the London direction heading for Gabowan from Bath-Spa.Seen across the fields near Sutton-Benger.The quite substantial bridge the train is crossing in the background spans the River Avon.
..08 september 2012..
47790 'Galloway Princess' powers over a small underbridge nr Sutton-Benger east of Chippenham with the returning Bath-Spa to Gobowan 'Northern-Belle' excursion '1Z79'.Note the first carriage in the formation is a Mk-3 Sleeper 'Car No 10727' carrying the name 'Crewe'.
..08 september 2012..
Looking quite dour in its austerity-lavatory-floor brown colour scheme 47245 does its best to appear appealing in perfect evening lighting at Langley-Burrell nr Chippenham with the ECS working '5Z34' from Southall going to Bristol-Kingsland Road Sidings.Stock being for tomorrows steam excursion to the South-West.
..08 september 2012..
The returning Bath-Spa to Gobowan 'Northern-Belle' travelled from Swindon as an ECS '5Z29' again going via Bristol.47790 was leading this leg of the roster passing Acton-Turville in regretfully not such good sunlight as the Class-60 about 90 minutes earlier.
..08 september 2012..
Barely 10 seconds after the 'Northern-Belle' with 2-47's on had cleared the shot going towards Bristol than this working, the 'Africa-Express' with 3 more 47's appeared going towards London.Running as '1Z73' from Temple-Meads to London's Kings-Cross.47802 with 47810 were leading with 47805 on the rear.Note the stylized maps of Africa on the oval buffers of 47802. Even in the 60's and 70's I doubt if Pixash Lane here at Saltford experienced 5 Class 47's in 20 seconds very often if ever! Incidentally the end of this month (sept-2012) marks the 50th year of Class 47 operation in this country...An amazing record by anybodies standards...
Footnote-----Due to 47802 having oval buffers fitted the Africa Exprez full logo had to be spread over 2 buffers instead of just fitting neatly on one. ClickHERE to see 47805 with its full African maps!
..08 september 2012..
The lighting was too good to miss for this 'going away shot' of the 'Northern-Belle' on the ECS working from Bath-Spa to Swindon for servicing.47790 being the rear engine,47832 now out of sight leading.This location gives a nice view of the now defunct Cadbury's chocolate factory at Keynsham-Somerdale.Formally run by Fry's then Cadbury.As soon as Craft an american concern got hold of Cadbury's the firm was systematically asset-stripped and this long standing viable workplace was closed,after the workforce was lied too.Chocy production going to Poland.I suppose its a fair swap,they get our work,we get their workers!!!!!
..08 september 2012..
The 'Northern-belle' was today used on a Gobowan to Bath-Spa excursion.Here is seen the ECS '5Z28' from Bath going to Swindon via Bristol for servicing and stabling.Recorded powering past Saltford at Pixash-Lane with 47832 leading with 47790 on the back.
..08 september 2012..
Running as '5Z73' from Pengham sidings down into Bristol-TM ready to commence todays leg of the 'Africa-Express' tour,47805 is well adorned with suitable 'Africa' logo's on the buffers and cab sides.A nice cast traditional type headboard was also being carried.A fairly mixed set of stock,five liveries in just eight coaches! DOR were DRS-pair 47802 and 47810.These being the main train engines from Bristol for the journey to Kings-Cross.The working is seen passing Cattybrook,about a mile east of Pilning.
..08 september 2012..
'5Z35' the 10:35 ECS from Bristol-Kingsland Road returning to Southall speeds through the long closed site of Corsham Station shortly after exiting the eastern portal of Box-Tunnel.Anonymous 'West-Coast' BrushType-4 number 47245 in all its shameful drudgery is hauling the stock from yesterdays steam tour down to the West-Country back to Base for storage and servicing and perhaps (This is a long shot) a good external clean!
..03 september 2012..
47832 heads '5Z45' from Newbury to Bristol in readiness to operate '1Z46' from Bath to Derby later in the afternoon.Working seen passing Oldfield Park in the City of Bath.-----30 august 2012-----
The ECS 'Northern-Belle' after reaching Newbury promptly reversed and returned to Bristol as '5Z45'.All this being purely positioning moves ready to re-collect its passengers from Bath-Spa later in the afternoon to head off back to Derby via the B&H.Here is 47832 doing the work this time with 47790 DOR passing the loop at Oldfield-Park in Bath.Thankfully passing during a brief sunny period.
..30 august 2012..
47832 was bringing up the rear of '1Z45' from Derby to Bath then on to Newbury as an ECS.47790 was leading this 'Northern-Belle'. As can be seen the 'GAW' was in somewhat better lighting as the sun-level was still increasing.Amazingly this engine just over a month ago was at Eastleigh and slated as for parts recovery and withdrawal.Somehow it has made a dramatic recovery (In fact it received Class-57/3 type modifications to its radiator systems).As we all know some Class-47's simply refuse to lie down and die! Location for this cameo is the Barton Farm Foot Xing at Bradford-on-Avon.
..30 august 2012..
The 'Northern-Belle' passed our locality today with an Excursion from Derby to Newbury but dropping off its passenger load at Bath.Here is '1Z45' approaching Bradford-on-Avon in rising light.47790 was leading with 47832 T&T on the rear.
..30 august 2012..
47500 swings past Lower Shockerwick heading for Southall with '5Z94' from Bristol returning the empty stock from yesterdays steam tour down to Weymouth.A gleam of weak sunlight shows up this sad austerity livery afflicted on most of the West-Coast Railways fleet of 47's.
Click HERE to see how this engine could and should look!
..20 august 2012..
The last time this locomotive 47854 was used on a 'Nenta' Railtour from Norwich down to the West-Country in 2009 it suffered an underframe fire that put it out of commission for some considerable time.
ClickHERE for a shot of it minutes after that fire had broken out.
Three years on here it is now carrying the name 'Diamond Jubilee' passing Strap-Lane nr Upton Noble going to Plymouth from Norwich on '1Z37'.At least you can read the number on this engine unlike the mudhut 57601 (thankfully out of sight) tacked on the back!
..18 august 2012..
The Empty-Stock '5Z34' from Southall (15:28 off) to Bristol for tomorrows regular steam tour down to the South-West is seen passing Corsham at Ladbrook Lane.Here is a nice Brush Type-4 47245 operated by 'Filth Coast Railways' drawing a seemingly immaculate set of coaches.To add insult to injury 47245 is not only saddled with the most dour of liveries but it is also sporting a layer of deep grime.
..11 august 2012..
The returning Northern-Belle ECS '5Z26' from Swindon to Bath to pick up its passengers for the trip back up to York passes Shockerwick east of Bathampton.This time with 47790 in the dedicated livery for this trainset leading,47805 now DOR.As usual on this mainly sunless day it passed in the dull.....Pity......
..30 june 2012..
The returning Northern-Belle from Bath-Spa heading back to Doncaster as '1Z48' climbs up past Narroways in the north of Bristol.The old girderbridge at Stapleton-Road that used to carry the 3rd and 4th tracks here can just be seen in the background. 47832 led the working home with 47790 now playing 'tail-end charlie'.Amazingly this was my first visit here since the end of LCHS on the Virgin-XC trains about 10 years ago.That, and the fear of ending up a mugging victim had until now kept me away.Since there was about 1/2 a dozen of us present we all felt fairly safe!
..09 june 2012..
The Game-Plan for today was to go to Damery just north of Charfield for this working,the Northern-Belle running as '1Z47' from Doncaster heading for Bath-Spa.However the skies looked decidedly dull and cloudy north of Bristol so it was decided to try our luck at just about the only place further south where the sun would be 'ok-ish' if it made an appearance (Which it did!). Here is 47790 with 47832 somewhere in the distance about to pass through Oldfield-Park Station approx a mile from its destination Bath-Spa.For the record this was about my 8th or 9th attempt at this train-set and finally, for the first time in reasonable light! Better was to come later in the day! Click HERE to see what I mean. ..09 june 2012..
First shot of what turned out to be the hottest day of the year (So far) was the Railtour '1Z94' running as 'The Settle &Carlisle Statesman' from Bristol-TM.Lead engine was 47851 with 47854 both wearing West-Coast Sludge Livery.Fantastic light for a change and great to be there to take advantage!
..26 may 2012..
Although the weather forecast was predicted to be a dull start and brightening later it in fact stayed overcast all day.Original target was 56312 returning North on empty scrap-boxes but it didn't run as scheduled.Luckily 2nd prize was this working '5Z47' from Burton-on-Trent to Cardiff-Canton delivering 6 Mk-3's to Arriva-Trains-Wales for use on the projected 2nd LCHS between Cardiff and Holyhead.Four coaches for day to day usage plus two spares.47812 or D1912 in old money having a rare outing on the mainline doing the duty.The working is viewed at Magor east of Newport-Gwent during an uncharacteristicly busy period here with 3 out of the 4 tracks occupied.Of coarse, later on in the afternoon this loco returned north double headed with 56312 on that rescheduled scrap working.By the time the message was transmitted giving the information we were back over the bridge into England........................Life goes on! ..14 april 2012..
Colas owned and operated 'Robin of Templecombe' 47739 powers through Ancaster with the Steel-Carriers from Washwood-Heath going to Boston Docks.Report number is '6E07'. Nice to see this loco working the train solo.As always when these older engines are worked regularly the reliability improves substantually. Nothing wrong with a well maintained 48 year old Brush Type-4!
..29 march 2012..
I think this is my 6th attempt at this 'Northern-Belle' Train-Set and none of the shots have been in sunshine! One-Day? Here is DRS owned 47790 in its distinctive 'Choc/Cream' hauling the ECS away from Cheltenham after delivering the full train of punters who were attending the 'Big Horse Meet' there.Not only was the light crap but we were even bowled by an HST going the other way! Just not our day.The working was '1Z71' from Liverpool-Lime St to Cheltenham and this is actually '5Z71' ECS to Gloucester.The booked run-round and ECS movement up to Worcester never happened as it was decided to stable it for the day at Gloucester.
..16 march 2012..
47237 spent over a year dumped at Gloucester after the fiasco that was the Advenza-Freight concern going out of business.Luckily 'West-Coast Railways' took this loco on and it was ready for a return to the mainline fairly quickly afterwards.Now wearing the drab house colours of that concern it is seen along with 57601(DOR) heading the 16:09 from Bristol back to Scunthorpe,a railtour organised by 'Railtourers Charters'.The already 15 minute late train is seen at Trowbridge in the last dregs of decent light.Nice to see a Brush Type-4 leading a nice long passenger working,particularly one of the 'no-heat' variety! ..10 march 2012..
One of these days I am actually going to see this train pass me in sunshine! But today was not that day! It was evident the skies were going to clear but unfortunately not until after this working '1Z93' from Bristol-TM to Kensington-Olympia 'The Northern Belle' has passed.47832 in the NB colours of Choc/Cream heads the matching stock with 47790 DOR.Location for this latest attempt was Compton-Beauchamp just east of Shrivenham.
..03 march 2012..
This is as far as '6Q70' went! With the necessary marker in position 47727 rests awaiting a possible recall if necessary for further ballast on the track section being worked on.In the distance can just be made out the Tamper DR73905 'Eddie King' that followed the ballast drop to do the work.The 47's were not due to return to Westbury until late afternoon so a long wait here for the train crew!
..14 january 2012..
Another view of 47727,caught in one of the increasingly rare glimpses of afternoon sun at Wanstrow whilst sat in the possession waiting to perform another ballast drop. ..14 january 2012..
47727 stands parked up seemingly abandoned with its engine running .The driver probably sitting with his mate in the cab of 47749 on the other end of this rake of 'HQA-s'.Some drivers are known to take portable DVD players along to while away the long hours of inactivity waiting instructions-etc.
..14 january 2012..
After dumping the required amount of ballast the 'Colas-2' 47727 and 47749 move slowly up to its designated parking spot whilst a tamper that was following it commences its work.This area around Wanstrow appears to have suffered from embankment slippage as evidence of reinforcement and repair can be seen just here.
..14 january 2012..
The obligatory 'Going-Away Shot' this time featuring 47749 with the more classic view used for pictures at this bridge.Note the amount of used ballast that was simply dumped here probably to reinforce the embankment when the 'HOBC' was working on this stretch a few months ago.
..14 january 2012..
47727/47749 with their 'HQA' sandwich pass Wanstrow doing about 5 mph.This pair of ex-RES 47's have now been with Colas for over 4 years.Not bad for a pair dragged out of Kingsbury's EMR breakers yard where they were about to be reduced to small piles of scrap!
..14 january 2012..
47727 heads '6Q70' from Westbury going to Wanstrow area on the Merehead branch to perform a ballast drop.47749 just visable at the rear.Location is near Wanstrow within sight of where the track work was being done.
..14 january 2012..
Having chosen a spot on the Frome avoider that would give me a clear 'sun-shot' it was learned that '6Q70' had been put into the Frome Station loop thus avoiding where we were waiting.Hence a dash to this location was the only option if we were to obtain a picture of the top'n'tail Colas-47's on the mainline with the 'HQA-s' in between.Here are 47729/47749 passing West-Woodlands west of Frome is somewhat indifferent lighting.
..14 january 2012..
The original pair of 'Colas 47-s' that have been active for that company since September-2007 47727 'Rebecca' and 47749 'Damelza' run into Westbury completing a L/E move from Washwood-Heath as '0Z47'.They have been hired for an engineering working on the Merehead Branch the next day (14th).47727 appears to be wearing a brand new set of bogie springs,a good sign that 'Colas' still see a medium term future for these near 50 year old veterans! Also they are both displaying '83H' shedplates.This shed, Plymouth Friary actually closed in May 1963 before both these loco's were built! ..13 january 2012..
This pair of Colas Brush Type-4's are pictured in nice lighting conditions on '5Z47' from Bristol-SFM to Eastleigh taking a pair of Barrier Coaches there in readiness for the move of some FGW-Buffet coaches to Kilmarnock in Scotland for conversion to standard day full seating type arrangement.47739 was leading with 47749 on the rear.Of interest the barriers were 6330 and 6348. ..16 december 2011..
Today the Northern-Belle ran from Cardiff going down to Southampton.Booked as '1Z22' it duly appeared a few minutes late at Upton-Scudamore slowly climbing the incline there.The two dedicated locomotives 47790 (leading) and 47832 were allocated to operate this working in 'top-n-tail' mode.Regretfully the lighting was dire but the use of 800asa,a fast prime lens plus a good dose of Adobe-Photoshop has produced an acceptable result! ..08 december 2011..
Having missed these wagons when they went to Burngullow two years ago for storage hauled by D1015 I was mighty pleased to be able to capture them coming north again heading for Burton-WS (Wetmore Sidings) to be worked on to re-enter service.Not quite so sensational as the down working but still almost the 'Working of the Year' in this area. Re-activated 47375 with 'Fastline' 56302 along for insurance powers through Taunton with '6Z23' running over 30 minute early.Load being 14 'not-so' Silver--Bullits 'TEA-s' that were used for China-Clay slurry.I believe these are being re-activated to improve the loadings on the Irvine-Dollands-Moor/Europe flow.
..30 november 2011..
Compass-Tours Charter from West Coast Railway Company Ltd from Holyhead going to Salisbury.Running as '1Z57' via the Welsh Marches and the Severn Tunnel.Seen here at Westbury where it was held for a while making it 25 minutes late passing the station.The 'Advertising Brush' 47826 was showing its advert side (for a change) and DOR was the fully disguised GWR150-Celebity 47500 wearing the sludge brown that passes for a livery.
..05 october 2011..
After '1Z59' had deposited its passengers on the dockside the ECS returned to Eastleigh,this time with 47841 doing the leading.Here pausing at the station approach signal adjacent to 'Spike Island Motorcycle Shop' prior to laddering over to platform-3 ready to reverse yet again into the Depot- RSMD sidings for parking and servicing. ..02 september 2011..
This 'GAW' shots primary purpose is to show how nice and well finished 47790 is in the Psuedo-Pullman livery.Sporting a cast numberplate and the name 'Galloway Princess'.The other loco 47818 was until recently named 'Emily' and ran in 'One' colours. Train is the Northern-Belle '1Z19' from Edinburgh going to Euston here running up the 'slow' nr Norton-Bridge on the West-Coast-Mainline. ..22 august 2011..
This is '1Z19' from Edinburgh going to London-Euston.Departing at 13:19 and arriving in the Capital at 22:03.Today the Northern-belle was hauled by 47818 and 'new' liveried 47790 running in Pullman colours.Train shown passing Shallowford nr Norton-Bridge running on the 'slow' heading steadily south.Such a shame the light was mediocre as it would been a superb shot of these two Brush-47's. ..22 august 2011..
WC-Rly's 47804 heads the returning Nenta Tour from Minehead back to Norwich.Viewed crossing the viaduct overlooking the town at Chippenham.Not much scope for a better shot due to the late passing time (19:30) the shadows were by now extreemly long and all conventional shots in the area 'gone'.47826 the loco that did the outward journey was tagged DOR for the return. ..06 august 2011..
The regular ECS from Southall to Bristol-TM for tomorrows 'Steam' to Weymouth seen approaching Chippenham,running as '5Z92' and as usual no reports of its progress or even if it had left until it came into view! 47500 in the bland Sludge-Brown Anti-Rail Enthusiast Camouflage Livery was in charge this weekend.If ever an opportunity for a 'Green' lined out celeb repaint presented itself this was it but was simply ignored! ..06 august 2011..
To see how this Loco looked in GWR-Green and how it really should look today click HERE
'The WestCountryman Festival' Nenta Railtour from Norwich heading for Minehead on the West-Somerset Rly passes Chippenham at speed with the 'Advertising' 47826 leading and 47804 out of sight DOR.Running as '1Z88'.Note the original GWR canopies and footbridge,almost certain to be swept away when the ridiculous and un-necessary electrification scheme for this route is constructed!! ..06 august 2011..
Still runnning as '1Z48' after doing a loop via Southampton and Eastleigh the Northern-Belle is seen approaching the crest of Upton-Scudamore Incline prior to the drop down into Westbury.Passengers will de-train at Bath and the pair of DRS-47's 47832 and 47712 will continue with the ECS '5Z49' onward back to Crewe. ..14 may 2011..
This Bath to Bath Excursion via Southampton using the Northern-Belle Set seen passing Sherrington in the Wylye-Valley with a pair of DRS-47's up front.47832 'Solway Princess' and 47712 the former 'Lady Diana Spencer' now known as 'The Pride of Carlisle'. Running as '1Z48' from Bath the ECS had to come all the way from Crewe! and afterwards will go back this evening.I know the N-Belle prices are steep but probably still not a cost effective operation.(Today at least!). ..14 may 2011..
Earlier messages indicated that this 4-Day Pathfinder Tour '1Z21' TheEastHighlander was cancelled due to the stock becoming de-railed at Eastleigh.However all was fixed and a new schedule quickly cobbled together with a 4 hours later than planned 10:00 departure from Salisbury going all the way to Inverness in Scotland on the first day with a revised route via South-Wales.Seeing the information with virtually no notice this rather back-lit shot was grabbed at Arn-Hill nr Warminster with barely minutes to spare! Here we have newly named 47810 'Peter Bath MBE 1927-2005' and 47501 'Craftsman' powering .
..22 april 2011..
The first in a series of Boat-Trains to be run by the DRS Company is seen here running down past Didcot (South Moreton) just a few minutes down on the booked schedule.Not bad considering it has come from Edinburgh.Destination is Southampton West-Docks where all the passengers are boarding Cruise-Liners for Luxury Holidays.'1Z47' with 47810 carrying a 'masked' new nameplate ('Peter Bath MBE 1927-2006') on its first revenue earning outing for DRS with partner 47501 'Craftsman' looking superb in the sunny but albeit slightly unclear air. ..19 april 2011..
A rare outing on a real train for 47727,one of the Colas-3.Here is 'Rebecca' on a stock move '5Z47' from Long-Marston to Eastleigh taking eight motorail-vans for conversion to barrier type vehicles by 'Arlington-Rail-Services'.Amazingly the sun was out for this interesting outing for a '47'. Location was Ram-Hill nr Coalpit-Heath in the northern suburbs of Bristol.
..8 february 2011..
Here is the 'Dorset Coast Statesman' running as '1Z62' that departed Shrewsbury at 06:14 this morning going to Weymouth.West Coast-Rly's seeing fit to use a locomotive that actually looks nice for a change,47580 albeit with the 'advertising stool' 47826 tagged on the rear for the return journey north later.The train is seen at Shrivenham in a lucky patch of the sparodic sunlight that was available that morning.Checking my records this was the only working in over 4 hours to be pictured in sunlight. Lucky indeed!
..19 august 2010..
Running in 2-tone green D1916 or 47812 if you prefer passes Heytesbury in the Wylye-Valley with '5Z47' an ECS from Crewe-Coal Sidings down to Eastleigh.Usually these workings moving empty coaches around go via Didcot so one coming this way made a nice change!
..20 july 2010..
47787 ably assisted at the rear by 47826 speed past Haresfield-Loops nr Standish-Junction with '1Z51' the 06:25 from Skegness going to Oxford via (presumably) the Golden-Valley and Swindon.The lead loco still retains its nameplate 'Winsor Castle' from the time when it was the designated 'reserve' loco to the two royals 47798/47798.Amazingly due to the near perfect lighting conditions even the dull-dire-drudge-disgusting-durge-dim WCRly livery actually looked reasonably acceptable here.
..17 april 2010..
47812 runs '5Z47' from Eastleigh going to Derby conveying a motley collection of mk-1/mk-2 carriages.Moulsford is the place a few miles east of Didcot.
..15 april 2010..
'Robin of Templecombe' 47739 speeds out of Wickwar Tunnel with a set of 'Fastline' bogie hoppers being moved from Gloucester to Eastleigh for further storage.The Fastline-Freight operation folded when Jarvis-Rail went into receivership dragging the viable freight operation down with it.
So here you have an ex-scrap 47 working for a private company dragging another failed company's redundant wagons from the site of another failed company's old base to another company's new facility based in a previously closed ex-BREL workshop! I hope you understood that! I think its called a can of worms! ..13 april 2010..
This working '6Z48'was interesting whilst it lasted.Imported steel to Boston via Dollands-Moor and empties return.Here is a pair of Riviera 47's passing Lower-Basildon in the Thames-Valley.Of the two locomotives the lead engine 47848 suffered a battery-box fire at Didcot where after a short delay the train carried on with just the 'inside' engine doing all the work.47848 was removed at Reading and 47839 continued alone.Regretfully 47848 has not worked since,then again none of the Riviera 47's have done any significant work now for a considerable time????? ..10 september 2009..
This RailTrack-Stoneblower is being transferred from Ashford-CS in Kent to Hackney-Yard at Newton-Abbot by 47832 'Solway Princess'.The working ran as '6Z47' and is seen passing Great Cheverell on the B&H in superb lighting conditions (For a change!)
..20 april 2009..
Here is a shot that caused quite a stir when I originally published it on my now defunct 'Fotopic-Site'. 47854 was still travelling at full line speed at full throttle whilst the crew were unaware that the loco was well on fire.In fact when it came into view the flames were extending from the battery-box area as high as the roofline.Regretfully from this angle the flames were the other side so just heavy smoke was in evidence.Train was halted within a mile or so and the flames extinguished.Loco was dumped at Westbury for about a week then towed away for repair though it has not done much meaningful work since.Working was the 16:12 from Kingswear to Norwich returning 'Nenta' rail-tour running as '1Z48'.Things went from bad to worse for the passengers who eventually arriving back at Norwich from Ely by Bus many hours late due to engineering work beyond Ely. ..18 april 2009..
Advenza's 47237 works '6Z37' from eastleigh to Gloucester Yard.Seen here in nice early evening light passing arn Hill nr Warminster.Amnazingly after several norrow escapes this engine is still operational.Currently working fairly regularly with West Coast Railways!
..2 april 2009..
47818 'Emily' at this time was still wearing the remains of the 'One' livery from the time it was based at Norwich in East Anglia acting as a stand-by/emergency locomotive.Here is is in the twilight of its career with Advenza hauling a rake of seven JRA's from Gloucester (13:05 off) down to Eastleigh.It was working as 6Z18'.Luckily the sun was shining for this all too rare 47 powered freight in the Wylye-Valley. Eventually after the failure of Advenza this loco ended up with DRS and now runs in that companies dark-blue compass livery.Still active in December 2013!
..20 march 2009..
This was a bit of a power overkill simpy for moving 4 coaches on an ECS from Crewe down to Eastleigh as '5Z72'.The quite unique combination is seen climbing the Upton Scudamore Incline with 47843 'Vulcan' leading 47853 'Express' on the front with 47769 'Resolve bringing up the rear.Thankfully the weather played along that day so I was able to record this colourful combo in nice early spring sunshine!
..19 march 2009..
47105 heads south away from Toddington with a service bound for Cheltenham (Racecoarse).Train seen approaching Hailes-Abbey during the 2008 Xmas Diesel-gala. ..27 december 2008..
Wearing the 'Advenza Freight' Insignia 47237 is seen powering away from the loop at Elford in the East-Midlands with '6V95' from Stocton going to Cardiff-Tidal with a train load of mainly shredded automobiles.When the Advenza/Cotswold Operation failed in October 2009 this loco spent a long time simply dumped at Gloucester adjacent to the station there.However West Coast Railways eventually purchased it and from late 2011 was an operational-active engine again albeit in the rather drab maroon of that company.
..16 october 2008..
Wearing the now defunct 'Advenza Freight' Insignia 47237 is seen at Elford in the East-Midlands with '6V95' from Stocton going to Cardiff-Tidal with a train load of mainly shredded automobiles.When the Advenza/Cotswold Operation failed in October 2009 this loco spent a long time simply dumped at Gloucester adjacent to the station there.However West Coast Railways eventually purchased it and from late 2011 was an operational-active engine again albeit in the rather drab maroon of that company.
..16 october 2008..
Nenta-Tour '1Z25' from Norwich going to Plymouth passes Upton-Noble nr Bruton with 47851 in charge.47826 unseen DOR. ..25 august 2008..
47237 and 57006 in double harness hauling 13 empty KEA's make up a trial test train '6Z90' of Advenza-Freight from Gloucester down to Plymouth.The working is seen approaching Victory-Crossing south of Norton-Fitzwarren in deepest Somerset.
..01 march 2008..
Ex-DRS 47237 here working for Advenza passes Great-Cheverell on the B&H with a stock move from Laira-Plymouth up to Old-Oak-Common.
..16 february 2008..
Advenza's recently acquired 47237 (From DRS) powers past Great-Cheverell with a short train of FGW coaches being transferred from Plymouth-Laira up to Old-Oak Common.Working listed as '5Z70' as are most of the FGW ecs moves. After Advenza-Freight folded later in the year this loco eventually ended up being sold to West-Coast-Railways and in 2012 is still an operational engine.
..16 february 2008..
The short lived 'Stobart-Pullman' runs past Maritime at Southampton on '1Z88' from London-Victoria to Fareham and return.Looking immaculate former 'Shove-Duff' 47712 carrying its new name 'Pride of Carlisle' being in charge.47802 was DOR equally immaculate. ..12 february 2008..
Colas-Pairing 47749 and 47727 round Aller-Junction heading back towards Plymouth with an RHTT working.This was their first duties after being taken on by Colas and restored to working order at Eastleigh.
..21 august 2007..
47851 wearing its coat of BR 2-tone green powers past Sherrington in the Wylye-Valley with '1Z22' from Wakefield going to Salisbury.It was advertised as 'The Bath & Salisbury Venturer'.57601 was DOR but is unseen on the back from this angle!
..15 august 2007..
Wearing the now defunct 'Cotswold-Rail' colours 47810 named 'Captain Sensible' passes Berkley-Marsh nr Frome with '5Z77' from Ilford going to Plymouth-Laira delivering a Buffet-Car sandwiched between a pair of 'fag-packet' barrier carriages.
..07 august 2007..
47749 is viewed in Eastleigh Works being re-commisioned after rescue from the scrapman at Kingsbury.The RES livery has been flatted back in readiness for a repaint into the then undisclosed 'Colas' yellow and orange livery.When it made is debut it was carrying the name 'Damelza'.Six years later in late 2013 it is still going strong working freight trains all over the National Network.
..31 july 2007..
WCRly's 47854 powers down the Frome Avoiding line with '1Z29' the 10:36' Charter departure from Paddington going to Exeter.Barely visible is 47245 DOR.At this timethis cutting was a pleasant location for westbound morning trains,however six years later it has become somewhat more overgrown and bushy! Click HERE for a 2013 update.
..04 july 2007..
Celebrity 47853 or D1733 if you prefer passes the then clear photography-wise Berkley-Marsh nr Frome. Stock moves were quite common around this time as FGW were slowly refurbishing their entire HST carriage stock.This move came from Ilford and is heading for Laira at Plymouth.
..18 june 2007..
The XP64 loco D1733/47853 powers along the Frome Avoider at Styles Hill with '1Z27' from Paddington going to Minehead.Amazingly in 2015 (8 years later and now over 50 years old) this engine is still employed on the National-Network.It now wears the latest colours of DRS and is nominally based in Cumbria.-------------09 june 2007-------------
47812 in 2-tone Green wearing its original number D1916 passes Bapton in the Wylye-Valley with Compass Tours '1Z91' from Mossley Hill (Liverpool) going to Salisbury.TheTour ran under the grand name of 'The Western Cathedrals Express'.The 47 although still around in 2013 has not worked much lately being a member of the now reduced and underused Riviera Trains fleet based at Crewe.
..21 april 2007..
47200,an immaculate no-heat 47.Destined never to work again.Advenza weighed it in for scrap due to company finances being so dire.Pity! Seen dumped at Horton Road Depot Gloucester. ..13 march 2007..
Cotswold-Rail's 47813 'John Peel' leans into the curve at Yate-Common north of Bristol with '5Z02' from Long-Marston going to Plymouth-Laira tranferring some MML HST coaching stock.Presumably for re-commisioning and return to active use. Today in October-2013 47813 is in active service with DRS and carries the name 'Solent'
..02 november 2006..
Remember Cotswold-Rail? Here is 47813 'John Peel' rounding the curve at Yate Common in the northern outskirts of Bristol with a stock move from Long-Marston going to Laira in Plymouth running as '5Z02'.This engine is still active but not with the now defunct CREL.DRS are the current owners and it carries the name 'Solent' these days and wears the blue colours of that concern.
..02 november 2006..
This was a Merlin-Rail operated railtour 'Glorious Devon' using traction from Fragonset.Both these companies have now been consigned to the dustbin of history. The working '1Z47' departed Paddington at 07:15 and its destination was Paignton.The lead loco is 47703 'Hermes' still wearing the black/red Fragonset livery.Out of sight on the rear was 47709 in Pullman-blue.The location here is West Woodlands south of Frome. Today in 2013 (7 years later) 47703 lies stored up in Burton-on-Trent whilst the 'out of sight' 47709 was scrapped in September 2012 at Eastleigh.
..21 october 2006..
Due to its normal route to Bath/Bristol via Swindon being closed this train '4V60' the 10:55 from Calvert to Bath and Bristol Binliner was diverted into Westbury where the entire train including 66505 (now on the rear) was reversed and dragged to Thingley-Junction by the then Freightliner operated 47811.From there it would continue its normal route with 66505 in charge. Here it is seen slowly accelerating through Hawkeridge-Junction on the 'drag' portion of its diverted journey. This loco was stored in January-2008 due to not being equipped with OTMR (required from that date to run on the mainline) and has been in open storage at Crewe-Basford Hall ever since!
..2 september 2006..
This pair of dumped (sorry -stored) locomotives are seen at Meldon-Quarry sidings at the end of the line of the Dartmoor-Railway.This area became quite a gathering point for various locomotives of types,31/37/47/73 and also some DMU's & EMU's. This particular pair 47348 and 31301 were never to run again and by 2011 both were just a memory.
..17 april 2006..
Cotwold-Rail pairing 47316 and 47813 power away from Cam&Dursley where this Tour had a booked pick-up.Running as '1Z46' the 06:15 off Wolverhampton had a booked destination of Minehead. Cotswold-Rail folded in October 2009 owing loads of Dosh to HMRC.During the run-up to liquidation the Company sold several perfectly servicable 47's including 47316 to stave off the taxman.This loco 47316 was once a Tinsley engine and carried the unofficial name 'Wren' and later 'Cam Peak' as per photo.47813 has fared rather better.Now at Barrow-Hill with the prospect of returning to service yet again! Footnote--This was one of my first digital pictures taken with a Minolta Dimage 7i 'Bridge' type camera.Hideously expensive for just 5M pixels.Digital-SLR's were in excess of £1000 then so this was an alternative of sorts.
..24 september 2005..
Occasionally a 'hire-in' Class-47 made an appearance on the Cardiff to Rhymney morning and evening loco-hauled commuter workings.Today was the turn of Riviera-Trains operated 47839 to put in a visit. The former virgin 'Pride of Saltley' runs up the valley on the approach to Bargoed with '2R46' the 17:48 from Cardiff-Central to Rhymney.Today in 2016 this loco is no more.It was cut for scrap at Eastleigh quite recently in August-2013 Another ETH-47 gone but not forgotten!
..16 august 2005..
'Freightliner Cleveland' 47303 doubles up with 37190 during the Spring-2005 Diesel gala at the Mid-Hants Railway.Viewed here shortly after it was coupled to the front of the 37.This loco returned to Southamptom-Maritime the next day and was immediately stored and never worked again.Officially withdrawn in december seven months later and two years after that was reduced to scrap at T J Thompson's in Stockton.
..15 may 2005..
Back in the days when the Glastonbury Festival meant a few LCHS-extra's to Castle Cary bringing in the hoards of participants. So here is a freshly repainted 47816 'Abertawe Landore' passing Dunch Lane in Melksham with '1Z34' the 14:20 from Paddington to Castle Cary.An unseen 47832 was on the rear.This engine in 2016 remains active but is now back in a base blue colour scheme..Still better that than being dumped I suppose!
..24 june 2004..
Whilst Wembley in London was being rebuilt the FA-Cup Final was being held in Cardiff at the Millennium Stadium.This gave quite a few opportunities for LCHS down for the north as invariably either a Manchester or Liverpool club took part in the Final.This year it was Man- Utd's turn and they won 3-0 over a lowly Millwall.Therefore this working returning to Manchester Oxford Road from Cardiff (17:44 off) running as '1W94' was full of happy passengers.The mottled selection of coaches in various liveries being hauled by Large-Logo 47847.Here viewed climbing up through Ponthir shortly after departing from Newport.
..22 may 2004--
47303 'Freightliner Cleveland' was by this date relegated to the role of Southampton Maritime/Milbrook 'Supershunter'.However even on this mundane duty downtime was required sometimes to fix problems that are bound to occur with what was basically a life expired loco.So at 40 years old it had another 18 months ahead of it on shunt duties before it was withdrawn.By Christmas 2006 T J Thompson of Stockton has reduced it to a pile of twisted metal...............This shot taken over the roadbridge parapet at Southampton West Docks entrance access which overlooks the Freightliner Depot there.
..27 april 2004..
'Crewe Diesel Depot' 47734 works '5Z28' an ECS from Taunton to Southall through Wyke Champflower nr Castle-Cary.This loco plus A4- Pacific 60009 having operated a railtour out of Taunton the previous day.47734 entered the history books as the last booked daytime LCHS into Paddington on 28th september 2002.However that didn't stop it getting cut up at EMR-Kingsbury in may-2008.
..16 november 2003..
Recently repainted and named 47635 'Lass O Ballochmyle' rolls slowly past Barton Hill Depot in Bristol with the Pathfinder-Tours 'Avon Branch Explorer' Tour.Steam engine 76079 was T&T with the '47' to give the best of both worlds upon reversals at Severn-Beach and Portbury.This leg '1Z35' was going to Severn Beach.Note the number of steam engines sat on Barton Hill.Almost outnumbering the EWS residents!
..14 september 2003..
47826 'Springburn' working one of the famous Nuneaton-Drags between Nuneaton and Wolverhampton whilst the 25KVA mainline was closed for weekend upgrading work.87023 'Highland Chieftain' being the DIT loco.Location is Whiteacre-Junction in the East-Midlands near Hams-Hall.
..17 august 2003..
Here we see 47712 with four long withdrawn locomotives in tow on their way to Meldon in Devon for further storage.As things turned out none of these engines ever ran again and by 2011 all four had been reduced to scrap. Status of all engines in this shot as follows------- 47712--Now part of the DRS fleet and in regular use. (Jan 2012) 47348--Went to Ron Hull's-Rotherham and scrapped. (Jan 2007) 31301--Went to Booth's Rotherham and scrapped. (Feb 2011) 31439--Went to Booth's Rotherham and scrapped (Jan 2011) 31423--Went to Thompsons--Stockton and scrapped (Sep 2009) The Convoy is seen parked next to the Power-Box at Westbury.Almost certainly for an inspection of the bearings and wheels prior to continuing on down to Devon.
..09 august 2003..
Still in FGW-Green but minus any identity marking whatsoever apart from its number, 47816 is seen dragging DVT 82130 and an out of sight 90006 through Saltley in Central-Birmingham.This was one of the weekend diverted drags from Nuneaton to Birmingham whilst the OHLE section from there to Birmingham was being modernised. 47816 has been officially stored at Basford Hall in Crewe since Januaury 2008 so after 5 years in the open air is now destined for scrap eventually.
..03 august 2003..
An immaculate 47828 drags 86229 through Coleshill with a weekend 'Nuneaton-Drag' of '1G25' from Euston going to Birmingham.After it finished with Cross-Country 47828 went to Cotswold-Rail and when that concern folded it has since gone to DRS where in 2012 it is still in active service.
..03 august 2003..
Blue 47840 'North Star' drags 87026 and its train through Whiteacre-Junction going to Birmingham from Euston.This was one of the famed 'Nuneaton-Drags' that happened for a few years on weekends whilst the WCML was modernised. 47840 now lives on the West-Somerset-Railway in preservation and 87026 now works in Bulgaria after being sold for export.Better Bulgarian than going to the scrapyard!
.. 03 august 2003..
47851'Traction Magazine' in the guise as D1648 took part in the the Nuneaton-Drags over this particular weekend.Here it is dragging 87021 c/w a full rake of Virgin stock and DVT past Washwood-Heath marshalling yards going north.Destination is probably Wolverhampton.Now in 2012 the yards here are closed,the 47 works for WCRly in their awful sludge-brown livery and 87021 'Robert the Bruce' was scrapped in 2010 at the yards of EMR-Kingsbury in the East-Midlands.
..20 july 2003..
47634 'Holbeck' (And before that 'Henry Ford') in Parcels Livery stands along with 08628 in the semi-derelict remains on Saltley depot in Birmingham.This loco never worked again and went to EMR-Kingsbury.It was disposed of by October 2004.
..20 july 2003..
47767 named 'Mappa Mundi' hauls '1Z83',a VSOE Charter from Bristol to Bristol via Exeter past Berkley-Marsh nr Frome on a perfect summers evening.Despite looking immaculate having just recieved a superb repaint job plus a series of 'reliability modifications' this engine had barely a week to live.On the 4th of July the Loco suffered a very serious fire that ended its career.Symbolically it also finished the career's of all 47's with EWS as the Company literally 'gave up' on the ageing fleet of that class.After spending a very long time bogie-less on a flatwagon at Wigan it eventually dies in Booth's of Rotheram in July 2009.
..27 june 2003..
47767'Mappa Mundi' freshly repainted and given a series of hoped for 'reliability modifications' head the VSOE on its return trip from Bath-Spa to London-Victoria.Seen here rounding the curve at Ladydown nr Trowbridge. Unfortunately just over a week later on the 4th of July this seemingly immaculate loco suffered a serious fire that ended its career.EWS also lost interest in '47s' altogether and most of its remaining fleet were withdrawn soon afterwards.
..25 june 2003..
A short lived new flow was introduced from Westbury 'Blue Circle' Cement-Works down to Millbrook in Southampton to test the viability of carrying road-trailers by rail for the majority of their journey thus removing conjestion of the roads.After about 6 months it all petered out and the cement reverted back to the roads.Nice ploy by 'Blue-Circle' to get a new fleet of subsidised road presflow tankers!!!Train was a Freightliner duty and was one of the last to be actually rostered for exclusive 47 haulage.Here is 47270 'Cory Brothers 1842-1992' with its distinctive yellow nameplates passing Arn-Hill nr Warminster with the returning empties from Millbrook.
In 2012 47270 is now a Mainline registered preserved engine,the blue bogies flat wagons have migrated to mainland Europe and the yellow 'Blue Circle tankers are now all road-bound and wearing LeFarge Livery(White),but identifiable by the lifting lugs on the sides as per containers.Oh yes! Westbury Cement Works is now closed, shortly after Lefarge took over.....ps A nameplate from this engine made £1111:00p on EBAY!
..25 june 2003..
On what was almost certainly the last time a '47' hauled an empty stone train from Acton to Westbury. 47758 with a dead 59101 + 44 wagons totalling over 1100 tons arrives at Westbury with '6C76'.The Brush Type-4 was here to attend that weekends Diesel-Gala at the East Somerset-Railway.The working is seen passing Westbury-Power Box at the end of its journey.
..04 april 2003..
'Prince Henry' 47799 rounds the bend at Bapton in the Wylye-Valley with a London-Victoria to Bath VSOE.Despite the 67's having been in the country for a couple of years the Brush Type-4's were still diagrammed for these workings right up until EWS finally finished with the class.The loco eventually made it into preservation and is currently based at Warcop on the 'Eden Valley Railway' in Cumbria,arriving there in December 2011.
..21 march 2003..
'First' liveried 47815 'Abertawe Landore' with an unidentified HST-PC plus a barrier passes Newport's East Usk-Junction.No details but probably a stock move from OOC to Landore depot.
..18 march 2003..
Well it had to happen and this was it.The very last FGW locomotive hauled daytime train other than sleepers was this one.The 15:40 from Paignton going to Paddington running as '1A78'. From Paignton to Newton-Abbot the unwell train engine 47703 'Hermes' was assisted by 47734 'Crewe Diesel Depot'.From there 47734 carried on alone to become the final booked 47 train into Paddington. 47734 however died at EMR Kingsbury in May 2008 but 47703 is still around in operational condition but currently stored at Burton on Trent.
..28 september 2002..
A small slice of history here.This working '1C23' the 10:33 from Paddington to Paignton was the last FGW booked 'down' working for Class-47 haulage.This being the final day of the 2002 summer timetable.The honour fell the Fragonset's 47703 'Hermes' and it is seen rounding the seawall at Shaldon-Bridge nr Teignmouth.Apparantly it was not particularly healthy and on its return journey required assistance from the Newton-Abbot Stand-By 47734.Thankfully the day was marked by wall to wall sunshine for this sad occasion.
..28 september 2002..
The final week of the 2002 summer service also saw an end to daytime booked 47 haulage to the west-country out of Paddington.Here is '1C33' the 12:33 from Paddington going to Plymouth.Traction being a very presentable 47813 'SS Great Britain'.Eleven years later this loco in still active with DRS unlike the abandoned Ford-Orion in the layby. The somewhat elevated position for this shot here at Bunns Lane ,Witham-Friary was obtained by standing on the roof of my BT Fiesta well denting it in I seem to remember!
..24 september 2002..
EWS 47787 'Windsor Castle' was at this time effectively the 3rd 'Royal' engine so was kept quite smart most of the time.Here it is seen emerging from Twerton-Tunnel west of Bath-Spa with a returning 'Northern-Belle' going north from that City..This was originally one of two Stratford 47's that were adorned with a full bodyside Union-Jack,its number then was 47163.Over a decade after this shot was taken it now belongs to West-Coast-Railways and wears their turgid maroon livery.However at this time (Jan 2013) it has a status of stored-oos.
..21 september 2002..
With only just over a week to go before FGW ended all daylight passenger workings operated by Loco&Coaches 47815 'Abertawe Landore' gets away from its Westbury stop with the 07:30 off Plymouth going up to Paddington.Running as '1A34'. Currently in 2013 this engine is still operational and running in an original 2-tone green style.Now owned by Riviera-Trains and carrying the name 'Great Western'.It does not actually do much work these days!
..19 september 2002..
A well manicured Wyke Champflower at the bottom of Bruton-Bank sets the scene for 47816 'Bristol Bath Road' as it passes on '1C33' from Paddington going to Plymouth.Sadly LCHS had only a short time to go with FGW on day trains.It all ended on the 28th, just 22 days later,never to return! The loco soldiered on with various operators until Freightliner stored it in January 2008.It now lies dumped at Crewe Basford Hall.Its future looking pretty bleak!
..06 september 2002..
Pictured in the final summer of Cross-Country LCHS L-Logo 47847 along with DVT 82138+Mk-3 coaches runs down through Creech St Michael with '1V45' the 09:13 from Liverpool going to Plymouth.
..24 august 2002..
The final working booked to locomotive haulage on the cross country route to the West from the Midlands was this well publicised affair.'1M56' from Penzance to Manchester-Piccadilly with a healthy eleven vehicle set of coaches..This pair 47840 and 47847 were relieved at Birminghan-NS thus ending Virgin-47 haulage to and from the South-West.Unfortunately it was all played out in dull conditions except for the first few miles from Penzance so this shot at Bathpool just east of Taunton was the best that could be done. 47840 now resides at Minehead just a few miles away from this location in preservation whilst 47847 is still technically in service although it has not turned a wheel now for some considerable time.
..19 august 2002..
D1733 (now 47853) This was the loco that became the 'XP64' test engine repainted along with a complete set of new coaches to gauge public opinion on this style of livery.As it happens a shade of blue several shades darker was chosen but the base idea was this colour. Here is that engine 38 years later still going strong.Virgin allowed it the be repainted into a close approximation of that then sensational colour scheme.Here it is seen running into Taunton viewed from the well known '40-steps' footbridge.Working was '1M56' from Penzance (08:48) to Manchester with 47853 going only as far as Birmingham-NS.
..17 august 2002..
47839 TnT with 47853 powers past Yate Common in the northern outskirts of Bristol with '1M90', the 15:50 from Plymouth going to Manchester-Piccadilly.This was an HST/V-ger substitution.The low evening light at this spot really showing off the colourful loco and carriages.
..28 july 2002..
PC-47 47829 makes an arresting sight as it patrols past Yate-Common in the northern outskirts of Bristol.Seen on a Sunny Summer Sunday (Remember those?).The working was an HST/V-ger substitution.It was '1V52' the 13:15 from Birmingham-NS going down to Penzance. Constable Duff lasted in service with various other operators after Virgin had finished with it,finally coming out of use around about March 2006.After languishing in various places it eventually ended up in Booths at Rotherham.There it was reduced to scrap in December 2012.
..28 july 2002..
47840 was wearing BR-Blue for the last few months of the Cross-Country services down to the South-West operated by Virgin.Here 'North Star' is seen passing Wickwar working '1V84' from Glasgow to Penzance.The '47' came on at Birmingham-New Street.These services gave way to 100% Voyager operation about a month later.This Engine along with 47847 had the sad duty of working the final booked LCHS for Virgin on this route.That date was 19 august 2002.
..21 july 2002..
Cockwood Harbour sets the scene as 'First' liveried 47811 passes with '1A78' from Paignton (15:40 off) going up to Paddington.
..20 july 2002..
47840 was restored to BR-Blue to work out its final months with 'Virgin-XC'.Here it is seen crossing Cockwood Harbour nr Dawlish with a returning summer saturday extra '1M39' the 16:17 from Paignton going to Manchester.This service was unique as it utilized a West Coast Mainline set complete with DVT as used with 87's on that line.Todays DVT was 82117.
..20 july 2002..
47749 with 47789 DOR heads towards Castle-Cary whilst operating shuttle trains between there and Westbury.47749,then named 'Atlantic College'. After a period in Kingsbury ScrapYard went on the become 'Dalmelza' in Colas colours. ..28 june 2002.
To see her as she looks in Colas Colours Click HERE.
PC-47 47829 eases round the curves at Yate Common going north away from Bristol in the final year of LCHS by Virgin.
..25 june 2002..
'Atlantic College' 47749 runs into Ystrad-Mynach with a shuttle service from Bargoed down to Cardiff.These extra's were put on to cope with the mass of extra passengers when there was a major event on such as Rugby in the Millenium Stadium.
.. 27 may 2000..
47828 'Severn Valley Railway' approaches Taunton with '1M56' the '08:48' from Penzance going to Manchester-Piccadilly.This was the final year for LCHS on these XC trains.To Virgins credit the locomotives were always kept in very clean external condition,this trainset being very typical of the standards being kept.This engine after being discarded by Virgin at the end of the year went on the become part of the Cotswold-Rail fleet as 'Joe Strummer'.When that Company died it eventually ended up with DRS and is still active in that concern's Compass colours.
..29 march 2002..
A memory of the days when Fragonset was a major player in the 'Spot-Hire' locomotive market to various operators but primarily to 'Virgin'.Here is 47712 in plain black livery (Great for night shots!!!!) standing at its Crewe stop on a Euston to Blackpool service.
..21 february 2000..
Virgin-Red 47822 passes East Grinstead on the Southampton to Salisbury route with a diverted Southampton to Manchester-Piccadilly working.The loco is actually still in service in 2013 running as 57305,heavily rebuilt and now wearing Network-Rail Banana-Yellow colours. Many years ago way back in 1977 it became one of the pair of Stratford based 47's to be adorned with the full sized Union-Jack on both flanks.Now that caused quite a stir in that era of plain corporate-blue!
..20 february 2000..
47798 'Prince William' brings up the rear of a Cardiff to Bargoed shuttle train on a busy Saturday to transport the hordes of welsh rugby supporters down from the Rhymney-Valley to Cardiff for a match at the Millenium Statium.It had just left Aber Station going northwards.The sole surviving RFD-47 'The Sapper' was on the leading end!
..19 february 2000..
47635 'Lass O Ballochmyle' with Steam 76079 on the rear works '1Z35' the trip from Bristol-Temple Meads to Severn Beach as part of the Avon Branch Explorer set of mini-tours that day.Behind it is Barton Hill Depot choc full of preserved steam engines,a Black-5 and a Bullied Pacific+ a few EWS engines as well.
..14 september 2003..
A southbound late afternoon shot at Appleford nr Didcot North Junction of a well loaded liner heading for Southampton.Appleford Crossing Box can just be seen behind the the rear of the train.The locomotive 47209 still operates to this day in 2013----13 years later but is now better know as 57604 'Pendennis Castle' and works for FGW in mock GWR green mainly on nocturnal Sleeper-Trains.
..11 february 2000..
Fragonset's 47712 in plain black was partnered with 47806 on a Manchester to Bournemouth working.The southbound train is seen passing the flooded gravel-pit at Appleford just north of Didcot.Don't bother going there today in 2013 for another shot--- 13 years later,this nice gap in the lineside shrubs and bushes has long since filled in completely!
..09 february 2000..
47289 the former D1991 which never carried a nameplate all its working life passes Cooling Road nr Hoo on the Isle of Grain with a Freightliner '4O86' from Crewe-Basford Hall (dept 08:30) going to Thamesport.A superb albeit very cold day, when we started to wait for this liner the fields were covered in frost and quite crisp.By the time this working arrived all the frost had gone and it had become quite muddy.To say I was glad when it finally passed is an understatement as I was frozen solid! 47289 died in October 2003 and was finally scrapped in Stockton
by T J Thompsom in December 2010.
..27 january 2000..
47851/D1648 stands in Bristol-Temple Meads with '1V55' the 13:08 from Newcastle.The Loco only working the train forward from Birmingham-NS.It was an HST/V-ger substitution.This was one of the Virgin fleet that was repainted into an older livery for the final few months of LCHS on XC trains.Unfortunately although it is still in operational service in 2013 (11 years later) it now suffers the indignity of wearing the sludge-brown colour scheme of West Coast Rly's.Never mind,at least it is still operational!
..08 january 2002..
'Prince William' 47798,one of the pair of Royal-47's was today employed on the Cardiff-Central to Bargoed shuttle trains.These 'Extra's were necessary because a 'Six Nations' Rugby match between Wales and Italy was taking place in the Millenium Stadium which incidentally Wales won by 47 to 16! The working is seen approaching Aber north of Caerphilly in the low late afternoon sunlight.
..19 february 2000..
On a freezing early evening at Bath-Spa 47816 'Bristol Bath Road-Quality Approved' waits to get away with a Paddington to Bristol working.Around this time and for several years afterwards until late 2002 quite a few trains out of Paddington to Bristol and down to Penzance used Class-47's.This shot dates from prior to the introduction of 57601 which was used on these evening workings when it came into service.This particular engine still clings to life stored at Crewe-Basford Hall by its present owner Freightliner. ..19 december 1999..
Former 'Shove-Duff' 47702 by now named 'County of Suffolk' and wearing Virgin-Red speeds past Croome-Perry with an afternoon Edinburgh to Penzance working.This engine coming on at Birmingham-NS.It was a latecomer to the 'ILRA' pool and only lasted from Oct-1998 until May 2000.At this date it suffered some kind of serious malfunction ans was lain aside.The end came in January 2005 when the Harry Needle Rly Co scrapped it at Toton.
..15 december 1999..
In-between royal duties 47798 was used on Mail Trains as part of the RES Fleet.Here is 'Prince William' sitting in Bristol-TM having just arrived from Cornwall with a booked Mail working.It was a late one that night as we had to wait until after midnight for this working to appear.The loco was eventually taken out of service in 2004 and now resides in the NRM as part of the National Collection.--------------------------23 october 1999-----
Got wind of a Royal-Royal-Mail Train coming up from Plymouth to Bristol so a visit had to be undertaken.Regretfully required waiting until after midnight to get the shot,but was worth it! Here is 47798 'Prince William' having just moved 'off' the train sitting in Bristol-Temple Meads.Subsequently claimed by the NRM for the National Collection .
..23 october 1999..
One of the attractions of Bristol-Temple Meads at night was the fact that photography was always possible whatever the weather conditions,even when it was pouring with rain you could carry on regardless.Here is a shot that pretty much sums up an era now consigned to history.Mailbags awaiting loading into one of the many RES workings that used this Mail-Hub through the night.Loco is 47770 with one of the many 'RES' inspired named plates 'Reserved'.
..21 october 1999..
This was the scene in Bristol-Temple Meads every night until the new Postal Depot opened at Bristol-Parkway.The RES traffic more or less took over the station in the evening through to the early hours with many trains calling for loading and unloading.Here is 47770 'Reserved' standing ready to depart for the West Country after being dealt with by the Postal Staff. The Loco was once 47500 and named 'Great Western'.It also ran in lined green and very nice it looked as well.(See HERE for a look).Amazingly it still survives in service to this day but unfortunately painted in the wretched WC-Rly turd colours. ..21 october 1999..
With the mass influx of all things GM around this time Class-47 haulage of the Mail Trains was on borrowed time so several visits were made to Bristol-Temple Meads to picture the activity there prior to the transfer to a new Hub that was being constructed up at the Parkway station several miles away (All in vain of coarse because all mail activity ended in March 2004). Here is 47742 'The Enterprising Scot' standing in a very damp Bristol-TM after arriving from the south-west with Mail. No happy ending for this loco either as it was broken up at EMR-Kingsbury in early May/2007.At least it outlasted the EWS/Royal Mail contracts!
..21 october 1999..
Inter-City 47805 passes the now abandoned carriage cleaning facilities in Bristol situated near Victoria Park on the western approaches to Temple-Meads.Behind the train can be seen the 4-wheel 'TTA' tanks used to supply SFM-HST Depot with its fuel from Fawley.The working was '1M56' coming up from Penzance (Depart 08:48) going to Manchester. I only managed to gain access to this location high up on a boundry wall via a broken door in the end of a Cul-de-Sac once.When I tried again a few weeks later it was repaired and sealed off tightly----A pity!
..18 october 1999..
47712 and 47703 whilst in the care of Frogonset-Railways were often used to operate the Saturday-Shuttles between Bargoed and Cardiff during sporting events in the New Millenium Staduim at Cardiff.Here the T-n-T formation is seen slowing for Gilfach Fargoed shortly after departing Bargoed.This scene is now changed out of all recognition as a new flyover carrying the A469 Bargoed-Bypass straddles the line almost exactly here.
..14 october 1999..
47767 'Saint Columbia' stands in Bristol-Temple Meads ready to depart with one on the many mail-trains that at this time used TM as a staging post for 'brut after brut' of rail borne mail.Spent many nights here in the late 90's doing night shots of 47's and later 67's before it was all transferred up to Parkway to a new purpose built handling depot that lasted less that 3years before the Royal-mail pulled the plug on most Rail borne mail movement.And that is what they call Progress?????? ..07 october 1999..
Apparantly this was an HST substitution so the actual working is not really known.Probably the 08:32 off Plymouth to Paddington service.Here it is passing Fairwood Junction nr Westbury at 13:22 in the afternoon running about an hour late..It is a rare double First combination hauling I/C stock. 47816 leads with 47846 tucked inside.
..15 september 1999..
The sole summer Saturday Virgin-XC service to Weymouth was a one way service with the stock going back to Bournemouth for overnight servicing.Here is 47702 'County of Suffolk' approaching Dorchester at South Winterbourne with that ECS.
..11 september 1999..
47811 now minus the 'Merlin' logo and just labelled 'First f' powers past Witham-Friary with the morning lchs from Penzance up to Paddington.Nice uniform set of mk-2 Coaches spoilt by a mk-1 though still in the i/c colours. ..26 august 1999..
Here is a livery that has now slipped into history.Commisioned by Rail Express Systems from a company known as Target-Design this modified version of an existing Parcels livery no doubt cost an 'arm and a leg' in consultancy fees.All gone now along with RES.That Company was absorbed by EWS and died a few years later due to gross mis-management of its services. Anyway here is 47742 'The Enterprising Scot' taking a short break from hauling Mail-Trains.It is viewed here at Strap Lane east of Bruton with '2O87' the 09:00 from Bristol-TM to Weymouth. 47742 became redundant upon the RES demise ans was eventually cut for scrap in May 2007.
07 august 1999..
'First' liveried 47830 powers the 08:27 from Exeter to Paddington '1A32' over Bratchbridge-Junction at Frome.Looking quite smart hauling a set of I/C stock.This semi-high shot taken off an old container dumped next to the foot-crossing located here.The added bonus was a 37 hauled working up from Weymouth just 10 minutes or so after this Brush Type-4.
..20 august 1999..
Virgin's 47806 passes alongside the river estuary at Teignmouth with a northbound XC service on a busy Summer Saturday.After the V-gers took over these services some of the Virgin 47 fleet were converted into 57/3's to act as Thunderbirds around their network mainly on the WCML.This engine became 57309 in 2003 with the T-bird themed name 'Brains'.In 2012 it is still a Virgin loco happily sitting around on stand-by.
..31 july 1999..
47832 was by this time the only 'First/Merlin' Class47 still in Inter-City colours.It was looking very faded and worn after many trips through carriage washers by the look of things! Here it is passing Blatchbridge-Junction nr Frome with '1A32' the 08:27 from Exeter to Paddington.A full set of I/C stock was a bonus including a Mk-1 as well.
..27 july 1999..
47811 with the early Great Western Merlin livery speeds past Waltham east of Reading on a Paddington to Plymouth LCHS.Stock being both mk-2's and mk-1's in I/C colours.
..24 july 1999..
This was probably these 47's swansong as they were listed as withdrawn a few days later.Both being victims of the influx of boatloads of GM-66's from America that were swamping the UK at this time. Pathfinder-Tours 'Brush&Colne' Railtour '1Z36' from Westbury (08:20 off) to Colne gets away from Westbury creating plenty of black exhaust from both locomotives.They were 47344 leading and 47379 'inside'. 47344 died at EMR-Kingsbury in Feb 2002 whilst 47379 was despatched at Wigan-CRDC by the end of 1999,less than 5 months after this picture,so a quick execution for that one!
..27 june 1999..
With the driver enjoying his mid-morning coffee 47811 gets away from the Westbury stop with '1A32' the 08:37 from Exeter going to London-Paddington. After FGW finished with loco haulage a few years later this engine worked briefly for Freightliner but after 'OTMR' became a requirement for continued mainline use in 2008 was simply 'switch-off--OK' .It now lies quietly decomposing in Basford hall Yard at Crewe.I don't think its really OK anymore after 6 years out in the open!
..10 june 1999..
Still wearing the Inter-City livery 47828 powers northwards at Culham with the now closed Didcot coal fired Power Station in the distant background.The early morning working (passing here at 09:00) came from Poole and was heading for Manchester-Piccadilly.In 2014 this loco is still operational,now with DRS and wearing Compass-Blue livery.
..01 june 1999..
Virgin 47847 drags DVT-82126 and a set of mk-2's through Holywell-Junction on the North-Wales Coast Railway on a Holyhead to Euston Express.Electric power would take over at Crewe for the remainder of the journey to London.This location on the line still showing the now disused 4-track section formally in use through here.
..15 may 1999..
At this time this working '2O93' the 16:33 from Bristol-Temple Meads to Weymouth and return was a solid Class-37 duty.However for a couple of days this engine RES liveried 47584 with its unique circular nameplate - 'The Locomotive & Carriage Institute 1911' was on the duty.This was its second and final day and it is pictured approaching Clink Road Junction in Frome heading for Weymouth.Sadly it only had another year in service before being sidelined and by October 2002 was consigned to history at Booths Scrapyard in Rotherham.Another perfectly serviceable loco culled because of the GM Class-66 Red Tide flooding the network
..27 april 1999..
Tatty 47292 in plain 2-tone grey heads north past Dunsomer Hill nr Didcot with '4E74' from Southampton-MT going to Leeds.This engine continued to work for Freightliner for some considerable time,in fact it actually gained the green colour scheme given to the Class-57's.Eventually it was laid aside and moved into preservation in June-2007.It is currently a working locomotive on the Great-Central (North) and is currently liveried in Large-Logo Blue.
..18 march 1999..
47811 sporting the short-lived 'Merlin' livery for 'Great Western' as the franchise was known then speeds up through Berkley-Marsh nr Frome with the morning LCHS from Exeter going to Paddington. GW at this time was operating just one set of I/C liveried coaches,making a nice contrast with the dark green 47. This locomotive continued in active service with various operators until it was stood down in Jan-2008 at Crewe Basford Hall whilst working for Freightliner due to having no OTMR fitted. 5 years later in Dec-2013 it is still there but now looking pretty rough! ..17 march 1999..
Here is a diverted Cross-Country service from the Midlands going down to Devon and beyond passing Purton alongside the River Severn.This working having left Gloucester needed to get to Newport-Gwent prior to reversing there to go through the Severn-Tunnel then on to Bristol and regain its original route.This Virgin Type-4 47844 is of particular interest as it was originally selected to become 57307 in the Virgin-Thunderbird series.However after being stripped down at Loughborough (Brush) it was found to be unsuitable due to unsatisfactory chassis repairs from a previous accident many years ago.That rebuild attempt was in 2002.Therefore it went for scrap and was gone by October-2004.
..09 january 1999..
47839 stands at Kensington-Olympia with the 06:20 from Preston going to Brighton.This loco was still working for Riviera-Trains as recently as 2009 however it was cut up scrap at Eastleigh by Raxstar in August 2013.
..7 january 1999..
47738 'Bristol Barton Hill' sits in Bristol-TM being uncoupled by a ghostly shunter just after it had arrived and terminated from Swansea with a short set of Postal Vans.These RES trains always stopped by the overhead markers that divided the platforms up so that made is quite easy to get set up with your tripod etc.No 6400-iso digital hand held shots in those days,an Olympus OM1n and 100-iso was the norm so 8 secs:f8 was the setting! You had to be quick because often the loco was uncoupled and away in less than 2 minutes!
..1 december 1998..
Now this was a rather unusual happening.No such thing as RTT back then so did not really know the circumstances of this working.Apparantly though this pair of RFD-47's were en-route from London going to Exeter to work the bi- weekly Exeter to Dollands Moor China Clay polybulk duty and somehow they were purloined at short notice at Westbury to take this rake of Yeoman Hoppers down to Merehead.To say I was rather surprised was a bit of an understatement when this pair 47310 'Henry Ford' and 47293 'Transfesa' appeared at Berkley Marsh nr Frome Both loco's were out of service shortly afterwards,victims of the mass influx of GM's from the USA.
..23 november 1998..
Before the Rover Plant at Longbridge in Birmingham ceased manufacturing cars regular train loads of panels were ferried from Swindon to Birmingham using these 'High Cube' wagons.The Swindon Panel-Plant is still in operation but sadly its output now goes the Oxford by road. So here is 47286 'Port of Liverpool' along with 47236 'Rover Group Quality Assured' powering through Challow on the main going to Longbridge from Swindon.47286 died in July-99 whilst 47236 still clings to life as a derelict hulk at Carnforth owned by WC-Rly.
..16 november 1998..
Cross-Country Inter-City liveried 47828 passes the sight of the long closed station at Box as it is about to plunge into Middle-Hill Tunnel with a diverted Sunday-Service. Bristol (11:15 off approx) to Newcastle.Although it was mid-November the autumnal colours were still well in evidence here.
..14 november 1998..
No-heat 47016 'Atlas' in Large-Logo Railfreight-Grey did a turn down to Paignton and return on a XC Saturday service from the Midlands.Here the train of inter-city coaches (No virgin red in those days) is seen on the return journey.The duty was '1M38' the 15:05 off Paignton going to Liverpool.47016 would be replaced at Birmingham-NS.Location is Cockwood Harbour nr Dawlish.Note at that time no pathetic un-necessary paraniod H&S fencing to ruin the picture composition.'Atlas' was withdrawn just 3 months later in late December-1998 and cut-up for scrap at Wigan-CRD by May 2000. As a matter of fact this then was 47016's final duty hauling passengers ever.
..19 september 1998..
Those were the days my friend,we though they would never end--------------------but they did!..... Summer Saturdays were the perfect time to spend time down in Devon picturing the LCHS that were so common then on the holiday trains to several West-country destinations.Virgin was still in its early stages so I/C was still the dominant livery but as can be seen here things were starting to change. Here is 47812 exiting Horse Cove Tunnel with a service to Paignton from the Midlands.Dawlish can be seen in the far distance so plentyof warning of an approaching train.All this ended a few years later and we now have to suffer a diet of Voyagers with an occasional HST to relieve the monotony. Today 47812 is still nominally a mainline loco working for Riveria Trains.Its runs in 2-tone green as per originally and as D1918.Life in the old dog yet! Unlike this iconic location,it is now fenced off with 6ft high palisade fencing------a pity--------- ..19 september 1998..
Summer Saturdays were always interesting on the Sea-Wall at Dawlish.Most of the Cross-Country services by then were '47' hauled. Here is seen '1V45' the 09:16 from Manchester (SO) to Paignton swinging by Langstone-Rock.This working always seemed to use a West-Coast coaching-set complete with the assoc DVT.Probably too much trouble to remove it just for this one return working. Today it was hauled by 47825 'Thomas Telford' along with DVT 82103.Of interest is the prototype 'twin' headlight fitted to this engine.Unique, as when headlights were universally fitted one was deemed sufficient! Also this engine went on to become 57601 'The Purple Ronnie' and is still in service with West Coast Rly-Co albeit in that companies dour livery! ..19 september 1998..
This is 47711 'County of Hertfordshire' running into Westerleigh Waste Disposal Terminal with the 11:21 working from Calvert Landfill Site via Bath,Bristol-Barrow Road,back to Bath again then to here collecting household waste before setting off back to Calvert to unload its train.This part of this multiple duty being '4B05' the 17:47 from Bath-Oldfield park Bin Depot to Westerleigh.47711,shortly after this spell in the Immingham Class-47 pool ended its career as a Virgin XC loco reliveried in V-Red before finally ending its days being scapped at Toton in September 2004 by the HNRC Company.
..11 august 1998..
47711 'County of Hertforshire' is viewed during its shunt at Oldfield Park in Bath dropping off about half a dozen empty refuse containers before carrying on to Bristol Barrow Road.This train being '4C13' the 11:25 from Calvert to Bristol Barrow Road.
..11 august 1998..
The former D1851 which became 47201 was one of the first victims of the mass-cull of RFD-47's when the EWS-66's started to flood into the country around December 1998. Here it is seen just 4 months before withdrawal hauling a Car-Train from Portbury heading for the Midlands (The actual working eludes me?).The location is Yate-Common north of Bristol. As D1851 47201's only claim to fame was it became stranded on Anglesea when the Menai Bridge was closed due to fire damage and had to be shipped off the Island to Barrow in Furness.
..10 august 1998..
47711 'County of Hertfordshire' brings the Binliner train into the loading area at Westerleigh Railhead.By this time this was just about the only '47' still wearing the NSE colour scheme.It was transferred to the Cross-Country ILRA pool a few months later and gained a coat of Virgin-Red for the remainder of its career.That ended in July 2000 and was disposed off at Toton in September 2004.
..10 august 1998..
By this date this loco was just about the only one in NSE livery left running on the National-Network.Here is 47711 with its then current name 'County of Hertfordshire' rolling through Sydney Gardens in Bath with the Calvert to Bath and Bristol and Westerleigh refuse train that operated a kind of MGR operation between these points.Nothing stands still on the railways and 15 years later this working no longer runs,47711 after a brief spell with 'Virgin' in the ILRA pool was withdrawn and cut up by Sept-2004. Also after 170 years as a Bath's prime railway viewing area for the public as Isambard Kingdom Brunel intended when the line was built some misguided H&S driven 'Notwork-Fail' nonce has fenced off the railway about 6 ft into the Park.Totally destroying the historic feel of the place! .....A disgusting shame and a national scandal! Heritage?what heritage.
..10 august 1998..
47475 'Restive' takes a turn on the Merehead to Minehead Rock Train during the period when this working was running every day fulfilling a contract to deliver the large stones used for coastal protection work somewhere around Minehead.The novel feature being the final 20 miles or so were over the Preserved WSR so quite a unique service. Here the loaded train is seen slowly moving along the Merehead branch at Wanstrow.It would go to Westbury where after reversal would proceed to Taunton and then the WSR
..13 may 1998..
The very tired looking 47467 in Large-Logo Blue exits Twerton Tunnel in the western suburbs of Bath with '4C13' the 11:25 from Calvert to Bristol-Barrow Road.It has just restarted from Oldfield Park Waste Terminal having dropped off some empty containers there before going on to Bristol.The loco at this time 34 years old had but a 6 month life left before being consigned to Wigan-CRDC for parts recovery and scrapping there.
..12 may 1998..
47484-Isambard Kingdom Brunel works '4C13' from Calvert to Bath and Bristol-Barrow Road,the empty 'Binliner' through Shrivenham going west.A good day here today with this working and several Class-47 hauled excursions going to Cheltenham for the Gold Cup Meeting.This loco is currently in preservation but oddly stranded in the Lorry Yard at Wishaw off tracks sheeted over as it has been now for many years slowly decaying.However some restoration has been carried out so at least this loco is not forgotten!
..19 march 1998..
Way back before the advent of 'Real Time Trains' getting pictures of this working from Exeter-Riverside going to Dollands-Moor of China-Clay bound for Sezzadio in Italy was a pretty hit and miss affair.Sometimes it ran every other Monday or perhaps Tuesday.Sometimes it didn't run or if it did it was either early or late! Many hours were wasted fruitlessly waiting for it to turn up. Here is one of the times it did! Scruffy RFD-Pair 47219 'Arnold Kunzler' along with nameless 47335 motor up the Westbury Avoider at Fairwood bound for Dolland-Moor in superb lighting.Its load of polybulks and a few Ferryvans stretching away behind.Of coarse this working no longer runs.Due I believe the factory in Italy closing down. Both these Brush Type-4's were taken out of service on the same day in Feb 1999 and were both cut up within days of each other at EMR-Kingsbury in July 2007.
..09 march 1998..
47822 stands in Bristol-Temple Meads with a terminating working from York.The locomotive gain fame in 1977 as it was one of two Stratford-47's that was decorated with a Union-Jack to celebrate that years Royal-Jubilee.It still lives on today as 57305 being rebuilt originally as a Thunderbird for use on the WCML for Virgin.Ownership has now passed to Network-Rail and wears a rather bright all over yellow colour scheme.
..03 march 1998..
A nice pair of matching but filthy RFD-47's.The Exeter to Dover Polybulk for export kinda ran regularly.Sometimes weekly but more often than not fortnightly.Back then 15 years ago with no Broadband/Gen Groups or Blackberries it was purely a case of waiting at the approximate booked time and hoping it was running.More often than not it being a fruitless 2 hours or so. Anyway here is one day it actually turned up! 47201/47326 are seen passing Berkley nr Frome with the usual heavy load of china-clay carriers plus a couple of ferryvans on the rear.Both the Brush Type-4's went for scrap in the mid 2000's being replaced by GM-66's at EWS.
..28 april 1997..
47815/47816 put on a startling fireworks display as the driver makes an emergency brake application for an adverse signal at Lower-Basildon in the Thames-Valley. Brush Type 4's were well known for bogie fires due to a combination of oil leaking through on to the bogie frames from the engine compartment and the red hot iron-filings shed from the cast brake blocks during hard braking.How this particular 47 didn't catch fire after this little display is a bit of a miracle.Never saw a sight like this before or since.Possibly a unique shot!
..31 august 1996..
A nice train to picture during the summer months was the evening mail from Paddington going to Bristol. Usually very regular, appearing in the Bath area about 18:30 in the evening.Here is 47467 an extreemly tatty looking Large-Logo version.This was just about one of the few remaining 47's still around wearing this livery.The train is seen at Bath-Spa passing over the long viaduct on the approach to the station there.The locomotive lasted just another 2 years before withdrawal and was eventually consigned to scrap in April 2000 at the infamous Wigan-EWS CRDC Centre.
..19 august 1996..
Sheffield-Tinsley held a final Open-Day just prior to the massive influx of 66's from the America's.RFD was then dominated by 47's.Here are 6 parked up neatly inside the main shed awaiting their next duties.Less than two years later on 27 April 1998 the depot was closed and by 2000 the site was levelled for develoment.
..27 april 1996..
Wearing Civil-Engineers 'Dutch' colours 47333 powers south past Shallowford nr Norton-Bridge on the WCML hauling a set of Seacows on an evening working from Crewe heading for Bescot in Birmingham.
.. 06 september 1995..
47146 and 47555 stand proudly on display at Basford Hall-Crewe having recently both received what was almost certainly their final 'refresh'.47146 had recently been named 'Loughborough Grammer School' and 47555 had also been named as 'The Commonwealth Spirit'. 146 lasted until June 2006 whilst 555 went by April 2001.Both victims of the influx of GM-Red-Death from the USA. ..27 august 1995..
47555 'The Commonwealth Spirit' stands at Basford-Hall Crewe during the 1995 open-day there. ..27 august 1995..
47350 with its unofficial Tinsley name 'Scorpion' powers up the slow-line at Norton-Bridge with an evening Enterprise type service.I think its a Willesden to Mossend working.Amazingly the loco is still in service rebuilt as 57005.
..15 august 1995..
Back then in the early 1990's the regular traction for the Bristol to Weymouth LCHS was Class-37's.Sometimes though due to unavailability a Bristol based 47 was used instead.Here is Inter-City 47811 standing in Westbury having worked the final trip of the day,the 19:38 from Weymouth to Westbury running as '2V93'.Always a good time for a night shot as the train invariably in the platform for 10-15 minutes so plenty of time for tripods/multiple shots/bracketing etc..... ..11 january 1995..
A nice line-up of '47s' sat outside the 'Factory' at Old Oak Common Depot during the last but one (Final one was in August 2000) major Open-Day ever held there.47484.47121 and 47004 all looking pretty smart.The only one of the trio to end up being scrapped was 47121.Despite looking immaculate it was stored by the end of the year (1994) and by Spring 1997 was reduced to scrap.The famous OOC-Factory is also gone now,swept away as the site was needed as part of the 'CrossRail' project producing a West to East through route across London.
..19 march 1994..
Looking very sad for itself the cannabalised shell of 47533 lies in the dirt at Old Oak Common stripped of everything below the solebar and nothing inside either! The loco had suffered a minor collision with 47472 at Reading in February 1991 and although not that badly damaged was withdrawn as was 47472.The remains were finally disposed off about a year after this shot was taken in exactly the same place it is pictured here.
..19 march 1994..
Tucked around the back of the 'Factory' at OOC was yet another Class-47 derelict. This one being 47430 in Trainload-Construction Livery.Now this was quite a wreck,the other cab-end had no roof and somebody had been into both cabs and systematically smashed all the instruments with a ball-peen hammer.What a bunch of animals! It was withdrawn in March 1994 and was hanging around until May 1997 when it was cut up here on site.
..19 march 1994..
Here are in total 10 redundant Class-47's siting in the scrap roads at Old Oak Common Depot in London..All had been withdrawn at least 2 years ago since the loss of loco hauled trains from Paddington to Oxford,the duties going to 165/166 DMU's.The first two in the line-up only are noted,they are 47457 'Gazelle' and 47446 'Gatlee More'.All were cut up on site in May 1997. This shot on the 'sunnyside' was quickly grabbed before a man in an orange-jacket told me to' f###- off' back to the other side of the demarcation tapes!
..19 march 1994..
NSE-liveried 'Holyrood' 47707 gets away from Gillingham in Dorset with a mid-morning express from Waterloo going to Exeter.This was the final few weeks for this loco on these duties as by March-93 it was transferred to Crewe for RES duties.It met its end in Feb-2010 at CF Booth's in Rotherham.
..february 1993..
47716 'Duke of Edinburgh's Award' sits in the sunshine at London's Waterloo waiting time before departing with an express to Exeter.
..Spring 1993..
NSE liveried 47715 'Haymarket' rolls over the level-crossing next to the platforms at Sherbourne on the Waterloo to Exeter via Salisbury route.Of coarse it was a Waterloo to Exeter working.Today in 2014 .Over 20 years later in 2014 this loco survives in full working order in preservation on the Wensleydale Railway running in Fragonset colours with the name 'Poseidon'.
..Spring 1993..
NSE liveried 47702 and 47716 stand at the buffer-blocks in London-Waterloo.
..Spring 1993..
47716 'Duke of Edinburgh's Award' pauses at Gillingham-Dorset with an Exeter to London-Waterloo express.
..Spring 1993..
47708 'Templecombe' sits in Basingstoke with an Exeter to Waterloo working whilst alongside is a Cross-Country HST from Poole going north possibly to Manchester or beyond. Whilst the HST soldiers on 20 years into the future 47708 passed away at Crewe in a shower of molten sparks just 2 years later in August 1995.
..Spring 1993..
'Old Oak Common' 47701 engages in a spot of shunting positioning stock for a Salisbury to Waterloo stopping service.It it seen at the western end of Salisbury Station.Note all the new track in the background recently laid into the new NSE Depot built for the servicing of the Class159's that eventually replacedtheLCHS on this route.
.Spring 1993..
Wearing the final style of NSE loco livery 47706 still betrayed its Scottish history by carrying the name 'Holyrood'.It is seen here at the Gillingham stop on a Waterloo to Exeter service.By this time Salisbury depot was filling up with new 159's so the end of LCHS on this line was not far away.
..Spring 1993..
47702, although by this stage a NSE allocated loco still retained its scottish nameplate 'Saint Cuthbert'.Here it is in the final style on Network-South East livery standing against the blocks in London's Waterloo Terminus having just arrived with a working form Exeter in the West Country. Built in 1966 this locomotive sported many liveries in its near 40-year existence.Ranging from Dual-Green/BR-Blue/ScotRail/NSE/Trainload-Grey and ending its life in Virgin-Red in July 2005 before going for scrap.
..Spring 1993
Network-South-East 47714 powers away from Salisbury with an Exeter to Waterloo service.Behind can be seen one of the new 159's out on test/crew training in preparation for taking over from the LCHS on this route a few months later.
..Spring 1993..
The last stronghold for loco hauled services in the south was the Waterloo to Exeter line.After the 50's finished Class 47's soldiered on until giving way to the 159-DMU's we still see today.Here is 47705 sitting in Salisbury with a service from Waterloo.The rebuilt chassis is still in use 20 years later in 2013 as 57303,a bodysnatcher using an american engine block and a Class 56 alternator.
..Spring 1993..
Still wearing the older 'Parcels' livery 47712 'Lady Diana Spencer' kicks out a monster plume of black exhaust,something 47's were well noted for! as it powers up to get away from Salisbury with a morning train from Exeter going up to London-Waterloo.
..Autumn 1992..
47105,at this time just another Tinsley 'unofficial' namer.The name carried here is 'Goldcrest'.Happily this engine is now preserved and in working order looking pretty much as it does in his shot on the G&W-Rly working out of Toddington. Picture recorded at Bescot in the yard there during an Open-day. 30 august 1992..
Large-Logo 47526 in its final year as a regular passenger locomotive.Here it is standing in Waterloo having just brought in a working from the West-Country.It carried the name 'Northumbria' for a few years up to 1991.It was withdrawn on 2001 and deregistered in 2007.It actually still exists but is basically now just a parts doner for West-Coast-Railways at their main base at Carnforth.No doubt its only a matter of time before it is weighed in for scrap!
..Spring 1992..
Large-Logo 47801 departs salisbury with a working from Exeter going to Waterloo. Not long after this it was renumbered as 47551 then later as 47774.It also recieved a RES type name 'Post Restante'.Eventually was removed from service in 2002 and eventually scrapped at Crewe in March 2006.
..December 1991..
47706 still wearing its incredibly tatty Scotrail colours but minus the scottish nameplate 'Strathclyde' is seen running round its train at Salisbury which came from Waterloo.This 'Short' stopping at all stations.It would soon depart back towards London again on the return diagram.
..Autumn 1991..
Withdrawn about 6 months previously 47429 looks to have been heavily stripped of most of its major components.It is seen here on a pair of accommodation bogies in the yard of Crewe-Works.No doubt it was to move down to the 'Melt-Shop' for eventually scrapping.This was completed by January 1989.
..04 july 1987..
47901 was an experimental loco used originally to test Class-56 power-units as 47601 and then, as 47901 those fitted into the 58-Class.Like so many other Prototypes it ended up at Westbury on Contruction Traffic out of the Mendip Quarries.Other Pioneers used regularly around that location were 56001/56031/59001 and later on 59101 and 59201.Unfortunately with the influx of 59's its time was nearly up.Nine months later in March 1990 it was taken out off service and by 1992 reduced to scrap. The Loco is seen on display at Merehead during a Rail Exhibition there to celebrate the arrival of the Class 59/0's,and in reality it's own upcoming funeral! ..25 june 1989..
47620 'Windsor Castle' at Merehead on display.Here in original style I/C Livery.This was adesignated locomotive for hauling the Royal-Train and was kept pretty smart at its then home base of Bristol-Bath Road.
..25 june 1989..
47581 'Great Eastern' wearing the original version of NSE colours sits in the line up of locomotives at the Basingstoke Rail Day.A good day out there including a trip up to Andover behind D200. This particular '47' just made it into the 21st century as 'RES' 47763 before becoming a victim of the mass- cull when the brand new GM-67's appeared.It was eventually torched in september 2003.
..27 september 1987..
Big-Arrow 47485 gets away from Paignton.As it was allocated to Crewe at this time this is almost certainly a cross country service going up country via Birmingham.
.. Summer 1987..
An unidentified plain-blue 47 passes the now long gone Power-Box at Norton-Bridge on the WCML.The train had just come off the Stoke line so was probably a cross-country service going to the West-Country.The Station here is now no longer open for business and the platforms and footbridge (Bridge number 18) have been removed.