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.

18th August 2012 Nenta Tours operated their 'Western Adventurer' charter from Norwich to Plymouth calling at Taunton, Exeter, Totnes and Plymouth for various 'organised activities' on the 18th August 2012. West Coast Railways provided No.47854 'Diamond Jubilee' in both directions with No.57601 providing ETS at the rear of the train. The return tour 1Z38 17:05 Plymouth - Norwich is pictured passing 40 Steps making its last booked stop at Taunton before returning non stop to East Anglia. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

6th March 2012 Nemesis Rail operated another movement into Cornwall on Tuesday, 6th March 2012, using their Class 47 No.47375 and former Fastline Class 56 No. 56302 'PECO The Railway Modeller 2016 40 Years' (Now de-branded). The pair worked the 0Z21 10:18 Burton Wetmore Sidings to Burngullow, where they will collect another rake of redundant Silver Bullet wagons for transportation back to Burton on Trent. These wagons will likely be overhauled and put back into the European China Clay slurry flows, which now operate from Belgium to the UK. No.47375 and No. 56302 'PECO The Railway Modeller 2016 40 Years' are seen passing Westford Crossing near Wellington (Photo: John White)

21st February 2011 Direct Rail Services provided a rare combination of No.47712 'Pride of Carlisle' and No.57009 to convey a pair of MODA Nuclear Flasks and Barriers running as the 6Z50 08:00 Crewe CLS - Devonport Dockyard, pass a gloomy Creech St Michael on Monday 21st February 2011 formed of barriers 9419, 9428 and wagons 95770 95771. (Photo: S A Ginn)

8th December 2010 Wednesday 8th of December 2010 and Colas Rail's 47749 [NN] 'Demelza' with a Plasser & Theurer (YDA - DR76601 Plasser & Theurer RM 90 NR, DR92400, and DR92377), Ballast Cleaner in tow passes the former site of Creech St Michael Halt working the 6Z76 08:32 Tavistock Junction to West Ealing Loop via Reading and Slough. (Photo: S A Ginn)

30th October 2010 West Coast Railways Class 47 No.47500 prepares to depart Taunton on the 30th of October 2010 with the empty stock from returning Spitfire Railtours 'The Jorvik Explorer II/ Saltburn Smuggler' charter. The loco is pictured in Platform 2 ready to operating 5Z38 22:50 Taunton - Bristol Temple Meads with No. 37601 'Perseus' and No.37038 on the opposite end of the train having returned from Saltburn-by-the-Sea. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

15th August 2009 Direct Rail Services Class 47s headed back to the South West on Saturday 15th August 2009. No.47501 and No.47802 look resplendent at the head of Intercity Blue/Grey stock leading 'Rail Blue Charters' 1Z47 07:13 Chesterfield - Paignton 'Seaside Express' charter on the climb to Whiteball. 47802 later failed at Exeter and had to be removed from the train. (Photo: S A Ginn)

27th May 2009 On route to the South Devon Railway, British Railways Large Logo Class 47 No.47580 provides a tow for No.25262 No.20110 and No.33002 as they pass Creech St Michael on Wednesday 27th May 2009, running as 0V47 10:20 Eastleigh Works to Buckfastleigh which operated via Romsey, Salisbury, Westbury, and Bristol Temple Meads. (Photo: S A Ginn)

21st January 2009 DRS (Direct Rail Services) Class 47 No.47832 passes Creech St Michael with nuclear flasks KUA MODA 95770 & KUA MODA 95771 destined for Devonport Royal Dockyard on January 21st, 2009, running as the 6Z73 04:33 Crewe CLS to Keyham. (Photo: S A Ginn)

5th July 2008 5th July 2008 newly liveried Class 47/8 No.47832 hauls 'The Stobart Pullman' away from Taunton leading the 1Z72 07:20 London Paddington -Paignton charter. On the rear of the train (in top and tail formation) was DRS livered Class 47/7 No. 47712 'Lady Diana Spencer' (Photo: Brian Garrett)

23rd June 2007 Cotswold Rail Class 47 No.47828 passes Creech St Michael in 'top and tail' formation with No. 47810 'Crewe Diesel Depot' on the 23rd June 2007. The pair were operating a Heartland Rail 'Blue Pullman' the 1Z41 05:55 Ashford International - Kingswear, with Cotswold Rail providing the traction for the tour. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

28th May 2007 Class 47s No. 47840 'North Star' and No.47828 lead the 1Z47 Derby - Minehead charter on the 28th May 2007. The charter operated by Heartland Rail was organized to deliver No. 47840 'North Star' into preservation. The tour is pictured entering the last twenty miles of its trip at Longlands Farm between Norton Fitzwarren and Bishops Lydeard. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

14th April 2007 BR Blue Class 47/8 No. 47840 'North Star' (operated by Cotswold Rail) passes Silk Mills Crossing on the 14th April 2007 returning a rake of refurbished Mk3 HST Trailers to Laira. The 5Z72 08:40 Derby Litchurch Lane - Laira is pictured with the GBRF 'Bristol Bluebirds' headboard. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

25th September 2006 Ex First Great Western Class 47 No.47811 is pictured stabled in Platform 1 at Taunton on the 25th September 2006. The loco (now operated by Freightliner Heavy Haul) had previously delivered wagons to the newly open Fairwater Yard for use with the Network Rail HOBC/ TRT. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

25th September 2006 Former First Great Wester Class 47 No.47811 became the first Class 47 to visit the newly opened Fairwater Yard on the 25th September 2006. The loco is pictured having operated 6Z34 13:18 Westbury - Fairwater Yard with a rake of loaded Network Rail Autoballasters. The newly reconstructed yard is pictured in pristine condition on equipment delivery day. (Photo: Kevin Wills)

31st August 2006 Former First Great Western Class 47 now operated by Freightliner Heavy Haul passes through Creech St Michael on the 31st August 2006. No.47811 was operating as 0V60 12:10 Exeter St Davids- Westbury light engine on a route learning trip complete with the South West Rail Gen On Tour headboard. (Photo: Derek Garrett)

19th August 2006 Cotswold Rail Class 47 locomotives No.47828 and No.47813 pass Creech St Michael on Saturday 19th August 2025. The pair were operating Heartland Rail charter 1Z64 05:47 Wolverhampton - Penzance. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

27th May 2006 Midland Mainline hire-in HST set for Virgin Cross Country is pictured passing Nynehead on the 27th May 2006. No.43051 and No.43081 were operating 1V49 09:41 Newcastle - Newquay. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

29th April 2006 Fragonset Class 47/7 No.47703 stands at Platform 2, Taunton on the 29th April 2006 ready to depart with Pathfinder Tours 'Cambrian Borderer' charter. The 1Z53 05:36 Taunton - Barmouth departed late from Taunton after the guard was involved in a car accident on the way to the station, but was still able to work on the train. The Class 47 worked the train to Birmingham New Street where Fragonset Class 33s No.33202 and No.33103 took over. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

22nd April 2006 Owing to continued problems with the Class 45 power unit No.47703 is pictured at Taunton with No. 45112 'Royal Army Ordnance Corps' on the 22nd April 2006. 'The Devonian' 1Z56 16:15 Kingswear - Derby departed Taunton with the Class 47 leading back to Derby. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

22nd April 2006 Fragonset Class 47/7 No.47703 passes through Cogload Junction light engine on the 22nd April 2006. The loco was operating 0Z47 14:48 Bristol Temple Meads - Taunton to join 'The Devonian' charter later that evening. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

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