Class 47 Gallery

Images of Class 47 Locomotives taken in the Taunton Area. The Class 47 has to be one of British Rail's most sensible investments. The British Built machines have certainly proved their worth since the initial locos rolled off the construction lines in 1964. No one could have predicted then, that a substantial number of the locomotives would still be working (albeit on lighter duties these days) in modern times. The Brush Type 4 was fitted with a Sulzer 12LDA28 double straight six unit producing 2,750 bhp, but de-rated in the late 1960's to 2,550 BHP due to cracks appearing within the crank case seem welds. The Class 47 has taken to just about any task asked of it, over the years it's been the subject of hundreds of improvements and modifications to allow the loco to evolve and adapt to the work that they have been asked to do. It's large plain body sides have made it a faculties locomotive to display just about any railway company livery with ease. Although in 2008 a significant amount of the Class are now dead and buried, a small fleet still solider on working weekend charters, and out of course movements. Some even engage in regular freight flows. There is no reason why the locomotives can't survive another 20 years, with the right care, regular and good quality maintenance the humble 'Duff' (as they were nicknamed) can easily perform to the highest standards required. The Brush Type 4 has been a regular visitor to Taunton since their birth nearly 45 years ago. This section aims to cover the sheer variety of workings, locomotives and most importantly .....liveries which have passed through the concrete platforms at Taunton.

23rd May 2018 Saphos Trains Class 7 No. 47501 'Craftsman' was employed on route learning duties to Taunton over two days in May ahead of the companies first steam charters. The two-tone green Class 47 is pictured passing Creech St Michael on the 23rd May 2018 working the 0Z47 10:05 Bristol Barton Hill - Taunton light engine move. (Photo: Simon Harling)

22nd May 2018 Now operated by Saphos Trains, this ex-DRS Type 4 was engaged on route leaning duties on Tuesday 22nd May 2018, in connection with the first charter services to be operated by the company this summer. The Locomotive was built in July 1966 and now carries a version of its original BR Two Tone Green livery. This summer will see the locomotive tune 51 years old. Class 47 No. 47501 'Craftsman' (D1944) is pictured passing Creech St Michael working the return 0Z48 12:20 Taunton Goods Reception to Bristol Barton Hill operating via Westbury and Bath Spa on the first of two such runs planned for the 22nd & 23rd May 2018. (Photo: S A Ginn)

9th April 2018 First Great Western Class 47/8 No.47832 provided a tow for failed Virgin Cross Country Class 47/8 No.47812 on the 2nd June 2002. The Pair are pictured paused at Taunton while working the 1M87 09:35 Penzance - Manchester Piccadilly service. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

4th October 2017 DEPG Class 47 No.D1661 (47840) moved Class 04 No.D2271 from Minehead to Willton on the 4th October 2017. The Class 04 has spent the majority of it's overhauled life based at Minehead but having recently been restored it will now become the new Williton Yard shunting locomotive. The convoy is seen arriving at Williton. (Photo: Adam Hiscock)

10th June 2017 Work stained Class 47/8 No.D1661 (47840) stands at Bishops Lydeard on Saturday 10th June 2017 prior to working light engine to Williton to collect stock for a later service train. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

26th May 2017 In order to get stock in the right position for the start of Flying Scotsman's two trips on the 26th May 2017, stock was delivered to the West Somerset Railway early on the 26th May by West Coast Railways Class 47 No. 47746 'Chris Fudge 29.7.70 - 22.6.10'. This locomotive was then removed at Bishops Lydeard and replaced by the DEPG's own former mainline Class 47/8 No.D1661 (47840) 'North Star'. Early on the 26th May D1661 arrives into Williton heading for Minehead looking very at home on the maroon coaching stock rather than it's normal Chocolate and Cream stock it normally hauls along the length of the line. (Photo: Thomas Courtney)

26th May 2017 The unsung heroes of the railway and charter industry at the Class 47s which continue to provide sterling service operational availability, painted in the most unworthy colours these locomotives are painted in such a way to be inconspicuous to the devoted steam lovers who pay to travel on such locomotives at Flying Scotsman. But without these veteran machines still providing a front line service many charters would ever get to their starting locations or return to the correct stations on time. Class 47/7 No. 47746 'Chris Fudge 29.7.70 - 22.6.10' assisted over week long visit of Flying Scotsman in the Taunton area. Built in 1964 the locomotive has carried 7 liveries and two names. It's probably best known as a member of the Rail Express Systems pool in the 90s hauling parcels and mail traffic UK wide, at the time it was named 'The Bobby' which had been transferred from a crash damaged classmate No.47743. The locomotive currently operates for West Coast Railways and is painted in maroon livery. It is pictured at Bishops Lydeard ready to shunt stock. (Photo: Phil Izzard)

28th August 2016 Following closely behind The Royal Duchy on Sunday 28th August 2018 was another South West holidaymaker in the shape of No.47580. The locomotive shadowed the charter service from Bristol before taking over the haulage duties at Plymouth. The 0Z37 09:39 Bristol Temple Meads to Plymouth is seen on the approach to Bathpool. (Photo: Robert Latam)

23rd August 2016 Class 47 No.47580 is pictured at Taunton on the 23rd August 2016 riding on the back of the 1Z48 16:15 Minehead to Clapham Junction. The original destination was to be London Victoria but a fault with the train saw the tour terminated at Clapham Junction. During the brief stop at Taunton the locomotive is pictured with the Churches of St James and St Mary Magdalene in the background. (Photo: Martin Duff)

23rd August 2016 'The Cathedrals Express' passes along the coastline between Blue Anchor and Dunster at Kerr Moor on Tuesday 23rd August 2016 hauling 1Z46 08:42 London Victoria - Minehead. The previous week Class 47 No.47580 made its first visit to Bishops Lydeard, the 23rd August saw the locomotive make it all the way to Minehead. (Photo: Shaun Mockridge)

20th August 2016 Having invaded Plymouth with The Plymouth Invader Charter, West Coast Railways Class 47/8 No.47854 lead the train with failed No.47851 remaining on the rear of the set. No.47854 is seen at Taunton arriving with the 1Z70 17:07 Plymouth to Norwich charter on Saturday 20th August 2016. (Photo: Paul Clarke)

20th August 2016 The veteran Class 47s still do sterling work on the UK national network, and although most are not in frontline service, many are still used on stock moves, and day charters. Saturday 20th August 2016 returned former Cross Country Class 47s back to their former South West stomping ground. Nenta Railtours operated 'The Plymouth Invader' charter from Norwich to Plymouth. Sadly Class 47 No.47851 failed shortly after leaving Norwich, so classmate No.47854 was sent to the front of the train. The pair is seen passing Creech St Michael hauling the 1Z68 04:50 Norwich to Plymouth. (Photo: Shaun Mockridge)

13th August 2016 With passengers having enjoyed a trip to the Somerset coastline, they were propelled back to London Paddington by Class 47 No.47580 on the 13th August 2016. The locomotive (complete with classic Class 47 exhaust) passes along the Somerset Levels at Oath working the 1Z48 17:15 Minehead - Paddington service passing a Plymouth bound HST. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

13th August 2016 Riding on the back of the 1Z46 08:06 London Paddington - Minehead charter on the 13th August 2016 was popular heritage Class 47 No.47580. This was also the first visit of the locomotive to the West Somerset Railway. 47580 was also removed from the train at Bishops Lydeard but later operated the tour back to London from Bishops Lydeard. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

18th June 2016 Two former top link Class 47/8s revisited their old stomping ground on the 18th June 2016, when Rail Operations Group (ROG) used No.47848 and No. 47815 'Great Western' to haul a rake of refurbished Great Western Railway MK3 coaches working 5V47 05:15 Kilmarnock (Barclay Sidings) to Laira the pair are seen passing 40 Steps, Taunton. (Photo: Chay Farzaneh)

18th June 2016 The 18th June 2016 saw two tours and a total of four Class 47's pass through Taunton in one day, BR Green Class 47/7 No.47773 and West Coast Railways No.47327 led 'The Whistling Ghost IV' rail tour working 1Z73 08:04 Tyseley to Bishops Lydeard, on the West Somerset Railway. The Class 47s were then swapped for 2 steam locos at Bishops Lydeard to continue the journey to Minehead. The colourful pair are seen passing through the ever-changing scene at Norton Fitzwarren. (Photo: Chay Farzaneh)

11th June 2016 West Coast Railways Class 47 No.47245 remained stabled in the tamper sidings behind Platform 1 on the 11th June 2016, the locomotive is pictured stabled awaiting repair or rescue on this date. (Photo: Robert Latham)

11th June 2016 West Coast Railways Class 47 No.47245 led the diesel leg of The Dartmouth Express charter on the 11th June 2016 arriving with the 1Z82 06:35 Woking to Kingswear. The locomotive was supposed to have been detached and return to Westbury. However, the locomotive suffered traction issues and was removed from the train at Taunton by Braunton and placed in Taunton Loco Sidings. (Photo: Chay Farzenah)

22nd May 2016 A Colas Rail Freight Class 47 made a rare foray into the South West on the 21st and 22nd May 2016, No.47739 is see returning a RailVac from Aish Emergency Cross Over to Westbury as the 6X54 08:35 Aish - Westbury movement with KFA 7095150048 at 40 Steps. (Photo: Chay Farzaneh)

1st March 2016 Carrying a non-standard version of British Rail Two Tone Green, No.47701 is pictured coupled with No.33103, No. 45060 'Sherwood Forester' and No.31452 heading north through Platform 4 at Taunton on the 1st March 2016 operating as the 0Z36 16:50 Okehampton – Derby Gas Tank Sidings. (Photo: Nathan Williamson)

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