Class 47 Diesel Locomotive Survivors 2013-2014
The class 47 diesel locomotive was developed in the 1960s by Brush Traction. Originally know as the Brush Type 4s they carried “D” prefix numbers in the range of D1500 to D1999, with the last twelve built being numbered from D1100 to D1111. In the early 1970s, the fleet was renumbered into the 47xxx series to conform with the computerised TOPS systems.
Eventually a total of 512 of the class were built at Crewe Works and Brush's Falcon Works, Loughborough between 1962 and 1968. The class 47s were the most numerous “first generation” diesel locomotives developed in response the British Railways modernisation plan published in 1955.
They became a very familiar sight across the British Railways national network and could be found working a large variety of types of traffic from class one passenger expresses to freight, parcels and departmental workings.
Significant numbers of the class were still in use through the sectorisation era that began in the late 1980s and subsequent privatisation of British Railways. However, the introduction of new locomotives and diesel multiple units as well as the decline in many traditional railway operations such as loco hauled passenger and parcels workings saw a steady decline in the numbers of 47s in use on the mainline.
A few examples of the class can still be found at work on the UK mainline today despite having clocked up over 55 years of service. They are mainly operated by charter train operators as well as freight and rolling stock providers for moving various types of stock around the national network. There also a number of class 47s that have been preserved and operate over the many heritage lines in the UK.
This video is compiled from my extensive image and video archives. Part two covers the period 2013 to 2014 and includes the following workings:
47580 5Z47 Wolshingham - Dereham ECS at Beggars Bridge 5/2/2013
47828+47805 1Z38 London Paddington - Cardiff at South Stoke 16/3/2013
47828+47805 5Z30 Crewe - Eastleigh ECS at Lower Basildon 19/3/2013
47245+5043 "Earl of Mount Edgcumbe" 1Z50 London Marylebone - Birmingham Moor Street at Gerrards Cross 6/4/2013
47739 5Z42 Ilford - Long Marston ECS at Chelsmcote 8/7/2013
47749+47739 6Z47 Dollands Moor - Didcot yard at Great Chart 21/7/2013
47810+47828 2J80 Norwich - Lowestoft "short set" at Haddiscoe 20/8/2013
47828+47810 2J83 Lowestoft - Norwich "short set" at Haddiscoe 20/8/2013
47826+57316 1Z82 Dumfries - Dover Priory at Kemsing 28/8/2013
47802+37605+37423 1Z40 Crewe - Norwich at Ely North Junction 31/8/2013
47841+47828 2C55 Great Yarmouth - Norwich "short set" at Postwick 31/8/2013
47501+37605+37423 1Z42 Great Yarmouth - Crewe at Buckenham 31/8/2013
47237 5Z42 Bristol - Southall ECS at Worting Junction 16/9/2013
47805+47810 1Z89 Kings Lynn - Bristol Temple Meads at Shepreth Branch Junction 19/10/2013
47790+47813 1Z39 Finsbury Park - Sunderland "footex" at Woodwalton 17/12/2013
47773+D1015 1Z53 Oxford - Banbury at Kings Sutton 9/2/2014
47818+47805 2P24 Norwich - Great Yarmouth "short set" at Breydon Junction 17/3/2014
47818+47805 2P20 Norwich - Great Yarmouth "short set" at Stracey Arms 17/3/2014
47805+47818 2C23 Great Yarmouth - Norwich "short set" at Breydon Junction 17/3/2014
47802+47853 1Z72 Carlisle - Swindon at Ais Gill 17/5/2014
47805 5Z47 Norwich Crown Point - Doncaster ECS at Pymoor 22/7/2014
47853+47501 2P33 Great Yarmouth - Norwich "short set" at Stracey Arms 22/7/2014
47853+47501 2J83 Lowestoft - Norwich "short set" at Postwick 22/7/2014
47790+57307 1Z94 Edinburgh - London St Pancras at Irchester 29/7/2014
47804+37516 1Z79 London Victoria - Newcastle crossing Sopers Viaduct at Cuffley 14/8/2014
This video provides an overview of surviving Class 47 diesel locomotives from the early 21st century. These locomotives, originally built between 1962 and 1968, were among the most numerous first-generation diesel engines introduced in response to British Railways' modernisation plan. The footage includes various Class 37 and Class 47 locomotives, with headcodes such as 1Z38 and 1Z89 appearing in the metadata. Locations mentioned include Birmingham Moor Street, Bristol Temple Meads, London Paddington, and others across the UK network.
Fishplate has identified 31 locomotives in this video. We’ve also matched 22 headcodes and 4 operators . Create a free account to see where they appear, unlock timestamps and locations, and view the full breakdown.
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