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.

22nd August 2015 Former Western Region Class 47/8 No.47832 returned to the South West for another visit on the 22nd August 2015 hauling The West Somerset Steam Express. The 1Z70 08:06 London Paddington to Minehead is pictured passing Cogload Junction running twenty minutes ahead of schedule having not taken it's booked route via Frome. The locomotive also has the accolade of one of the most painted Class 47's in history, now wearing it's 17th livery since it was built in the 1960s. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

14th July 2015 Heritage Class 47s were back in action on the 14th July 2015 hauling 'The Cathedrals Express' charter from Gravesend (Kent) to Bishops Lydeard. The tour was then taken forward to Minehead by resident Steam Locomotive No.3850. Class 47/7 No. 47746 'Chris Fudge 29.7.70 - 22.6.10' is seen arriving into Taunton hauling 1Z41 06:52 Gravesend - Bishops Lydeard in top and tail formation with No.47760. (Photo: Paul Clarke)

11th June 2015 Heritage Diesel replaced booked steam traction on 'The Cathedrals Express' charter to Minehead on the 11th of June 2015. The charter was originally booked to travel to Kingswear with LNER A4 'Sir Nigel Gresley', and was later revised to LNER B1 61306. A further revision saw the tour given the new destination of Minehead rather than Kingswear. The traction was then revised in favour of a Class 47. West Coast Railways provided Class 47/7 No.47760 for the trip from West Brompton (London) to Minehead which the locomotive operated throughout. The 1Z61 05:30 West Brompton - Bishops Lydeard charter is seen arriving into Taunton before venturing to the Somerset coastline at Minehead. (Photo: Paul Calrke)

5th June 2015 BR Class 47 D1661 (No. 47840 'North Star') passes through Leigh Woods with the Friday afternoon 'Mega Train' hauling 11 coaches on the 17:00 from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead on the 5th June 2010. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

30th August 2014 West Coast Railways Class 47/8 No.47804 leads The English Riviera Statesman west through Silk Mills on Saturday 30th August 2014 in top and tail formation with classmate No. 57314 'Conwy Castle'. The pair were operating as 1Z50 06:30 Derby - Kingswear with the high class dining charter for a day out in the English Riviera. (Photo: Phil Izzard)

26th April 2014 The Chester Model Railway Club, and Ffestiniog Railway Dee & Mersey Group operated their annual charter outing on the 26th April 2014. The tour used two DRS Class 47s locomotives. 'The Somerset Coast Express' started at Hooton and ventured to Minehead on the West Somerset Railway. The lengthy rake of former Virgin Trains and Arriva Trains Wales Mk2 coaching stock is seen passing Cogload Junction with Class 47 No.47853 leading the 1Z91 06:43 Hooton to Minehead. No.47813 was located on the rear of the set. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

26th April 2014 In connection with 'The Great Britain' charter (which will pass Taunton on Sunday 27th April). West Coast Railways moved GWR Castle No. 5029 'Nunney Castle' to Exeter using Class 47 No.47245. At Exeter the Steam Locomotive continued onto Plymouth for turning and then joined SR Pacific No. 34046 'Braunton' before running forward to St Blazey. The Class 47 joined classmate No. 47746 'Chris Fudge 29.7.70 - 22.6.10' (continuing to Truro) from Exeter where 'The Great Britain' charter had previously arrived from London Victoria behind No. 34046 'Braunton'. No.47245 and No. 5029 'Nunney Castle' are pictured passing Banklands near Cogload Junction operating as 5Z86 09:35 St Philips Marsh - Plymouth (Photo: Bob Tucker)

19th April 2014 The Dartmouth Express was hauled from Guildford to Taunton on the 19th April 2014. West Coast Railways Class 47 No.47237 (with Class 57 No.57313 attached to the rear of the train for heating) operating as 1Z32 07:51 Guildford - Taunton. The veteran Class 47 arrived early into Taunton having made good time between Westbury and Taunton. While those who turned out at Cogload Junction to see a steam train voiced their disappointment at the change in operational plans, it's always worth noting that the Class 47s (built in the 1960s) have an overwhelming pedigree on the UK network. Chances to photograph these locomotives on mainline duties are reducing all the time. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

22nd November 2013 DCR Class 31 No.31190 is pictured in the tamper sidings behind Taunton Station ready to depart with former Virgin Class 47 No.47769. The pair departed as 0Z47 14:02 Taunton - Okehampton on the 22nd November 2013. (Photo: Jeff Treece)

3rd September 2013 Running through Marlands, hired-in Colas Rail 47749 [NN] 'Demelza' works 6Z29 12:42 Hackney Yard to Westbury Continuous Welded Rail train on Tuesday 3rd September 2013. (Photo: S A Ginn)

28th August 2013 The 28th August 2013 saw Colas Rail Freight move two refurbished HOBC wagons back from West Ealing Plasser works to Fairwater Yard. The working should of originally arrived around 14:15 however problems with shunting in the London area meant the train was re-timed to arrive at 17:35. Running slightly ahead of schedule Colas Class 47/7 No.47749 'Damelza' makes a rare appearance 'under' the Cogload Junction flyover heading for Fairwater Yard operating as 6Z48 14:15 West Ealing - Fairwater Yard. The loco later returned light engine to Westbury. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

28th August 2013 The 28th August 2013 saw Colas Rail Freight move two refurbished HOBC wagons back from West Ealing Plasser works to Fairwater Yard. The working should of originally arrived around 14:15 however problems with shunting in the London area meant the train was re-timed to arrive at 17:35. Running slightly ahead of schedule Colas Class 47/7 No.47749 'Damelza' makes a rare appearance opening up at Cogload Junction heading for Fairwater Yard operating as 6Z48 14:15 West Ealing - Fairwater Yard. The loco later returned light engine to Westbury. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

7th July 2013 With the increase in temperatures Network Rail imposed a steam ban in the South West thwarting the start of the steam hauled 'Torbay Express' charters, however a Heritage Class 47 was supplied from Riviera Trains to operate the service. On the 7th July 2013 Ex-Virgin Trains Class 47 No.47812 (D1916) is seen passing Cogload Junction operating 1Z27 09:15 Bristol Temple Meads - Kingswear looking superb with a matching rake of chocolate and cream stock. Like many celebrities these days the loco has seen a little 'cosmetic surgery' to the bodysides panels. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

5th July 2013 Following slightly behind a Saltburn - Torquay charter on the was Colas Rail Freight on the 5th July 2013. The company was moving a set of overhauled HOBC wagons from Cardiff Canton back to Fairwater Yard. Class 47/7 No.47739 'Robin of Templecombe' was used for the duty. The loco is named after former Colas driver Robin Gould who was the last ex-Templecome S & D driver. Sadly Robin passed away earlier this year, but the loco continues to carry his memory around the UK where ever it goes. No.47739 is pictured passing Banklands operating as 6Z56 15:12 Cardiff Canton - Fairwater Yard. (Photo: Bob Tucker)

22nd June 2013 West Coast Railways provided a rare double-headed pairing for The Cornish Riviera Statesmen on Saturday 22nd June 2013. The 1Z30 05:00 Shrewsbury - Penzance passed Taunton at 10:10 with Class 47 No.47786 'Roy Castle' leading with No.47760 tucked inside. West Coast Class 47 locomotives rarely see much cosmetic attention, although silver paint had been applied to the buffers on this occasion. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

2nd June 2013 The non-availability of a serviceable steam locomotive on Sunday 2nd June 2013 saw West Coast Railways provide stalwart Class 47 No.47245 to head The Railway Touring Companies' 'The Royal Duchy' charter. No.47245 operated 1Z37 08:48 Bristol Temple Meads to Par and return. It's hardly the start the RTC wanted to the first of three 'Royal Duchy' charters. It's hoped that a steam loco will be made ready for the next charter on the 9th June. No.47245 is pictured passing Norton Fitzwarren heading south. (Photo: Tony Hayman)

23rd May 2013 Colas Class 47 No.47 Colas Rail Freight used Class 47/7 No.47749 to haul a rake of HOBC wagons from Fairwater Yard to Cardiff Canton for repair on the 23rd May 2013. The loco is seen departing from Fairwater having collected a small rake of wagons from the HOBC set operating as 6Z56 18:55 Fairwater Yard - Cardiff Canton. (Photo: Jeff Treece)

21st April 2013 West Coast Railways provided a Class 47/0 as a support locomotive for the The Great Britain VI charter. The loco had been used to haul the charter and also provides a light engine support vehicle, running slightly ahead of the main tour. No.47245 is pictured passing 40 Steps, Taunton operating 0Z85 13:49 Plymouth - Cardiff Central light engine movement before recessing at Obridge to wait for the The Great Britain charter to catch up. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

5th April 2013 Having worked light engine from Eastleigh the previous day, Colas Rail Class 47 No.47727 'Rebecca' passes through Creech St Michael after an on-time departure from Taunton. The train is pictured operating 6Z47 10:10- Fairwater Yard - Cardiff Canton Sidings on April 5th, 2013. The consist of five YDA & one YSA is part of the HOBC (High-Ouput Ballast Cleaner) which was being sent for maintenance. (Photo: S A Ginn)

5th April 2013 Colas Rail Freight provided a colourful combination at Taunton on the 5th April 2013. Having arrived the previous evening, Class 47/7 No.47727 was used to transport a small rake of HOBC wagons from Fairwater Yard to Cardiff Canton for maintenance. The loco is pictured exiting Fairwater Yard at 40 Steps hauling the 6Z47 10:10 Fairwater Yard - Cardiff Canton. No.47727 later returned with the single equipment wagon to Fairwater Yard before working light engine to Eastleigh. (Photo: Nathan Williamson)

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