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.

4th May 2019 Saturday 4th May 2019 saw The Cathedrals Express with Diesel power deputising for the booked steam locomotive. West Coast Railways provided veteran Class 47s No.47245 and No. 47746 'Chris Fudge 29.7.70 - 22.6.10' (in top and tail formation) to work the 1Z54 07:09 London Paddington - Kingswear excursion. No. 47746 'Chris Fudge 29.7.70 - 22.6.10' is pictured riding on the rear end of the set heading south. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

4th May 2019 Saturday 4th May 2019 saw The Cathedrals Express with Diesel power deputizing for the booked steam locomotive. West Coast Railways provided veteran Class 47s No.47245 and No. 47746 'Chris Fudge 29.7.70 - 22.6.10' (in top and tail formation) to work the 1Z54 07:09 London Paddington - Kingswear excursion. The charter is pictured passing Cogload Junction in a lucky patch of sun between the cloud. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

28th April 2019 West Coast Railways Class 47 No. 47746 'Chris Fudge 29.7.70 - 22.6.10' is pictured stabled behind Platform 1 at Taunton inbetween assisting duties with the Great Britain XII charter. (Photo with Persmission) (Photo: Paul Finnimore)

27th April 2019 Class 47/7 No. 47746 'Chris Fudge 29.7.70 - 22.6.10' was the assist locomotive for the South West leg of 'The Great Britain XII' charter. Painted in the uninspriting West Coast Railways hous colours No. 47746 'Chris Fudge 29.7.70 - 22.6.10' is pictured passing 40 Steps on the27th April 2019 operating the 0Z20 13:00 Bristol Temple Meads - Plymouth light engine move. (Photo: Simon Harling)

18th April 2019 Rail Operations Group Class 47/8s No. 47815 'Great Western' and No. 47813 are pictured sweeping through the reverse curves at Marlands with the latest set of GWR HST coaching stock going for storage, running as the 5L46 08:30 Laira to Ely Papworth Sidings on Thursday 18th April 2019. (Photo: S A Ginn)

10th April 2019 Rail Operations Group (ROG) returned two former Western Region Class 47s back to their former stomping ground on the 10th April 2019. No. 47815 'Great Western' and No.47813 operated the 5V84 10:26 Leicester - Laira diagram to collect another rake of GWR Mk3 coaching stock for transfer to Scotrail. The impressive pair (and with No.47813 now sporting snow ploughs) pass Taunton. (Photo: Ashley Harris)

3rd February 2019 West Coast Railways Class 47/7 heads The Branchline Society charter 'The Looe Brush' south through Charlton on Sunday 4rd February 2019 operating the 1Z47 08:10 Bristol Temple Meads - Moorswater leg in Top and Tail formation with No.47826 (Photo: Adam Snow)

3rd February 2019 With the early morning Winter Sun having not got into the Whiteball cutting. West Coast Railways Class 47/7 No.47772 leads No.47826 in Top and Tail formation hauling 'The Looe Brush' charter the 1Z47 08:10 Bristol Temple Meads - Moorswater. (Photo: Simon Harling)

3rd February 2019 West Coast Railways Class 47/7 No.47772 passes Fairwater Yard on Sunday 3rd February 2019 hauling a Branchline Society charter from Bristol Temple Meads to Looe. 'The Looe Brush' as the tour was aptly named operated as the 1Z47 08:10 Bristol Temple Meads to Moorswater in top and tail formation with No.47826 on the rear of the train. At Moorswater the train reversed to then access Looe. With temperatures at a balmy -6 Degrees, photographers were wrapped up warm for this photo. (Photo: Phil Izzard)

19th December 2018 ROG (Rail Operations Group) has been contracted to convey off-lease HST stock away from the southwest for storage pending their future. Working the second set in as many days, Class 47/8 No. 47815 'Great Western' and No.47812 approach Cogload Junction running as the 5L46 09:30 Laira - Ely Papworth Sidings on Wednesday 19th December 2018. (Photo: S A Ginn)

19th December 2018 On their second diagram of the week, ROG Class 47s No. 47815 'Great Western' and No.47812 haul the second rake of coaches for storage. The 5L46 09:35 Laira - Ely Papworth Sidings passes Broomhay Crossing on Wednesday 20th December 2018 conveying 6344 42513 42070 44037 42289 42287 41140 44023 42118 42069 41004 6340 for storage. (Photo: Ashley Harris)

17th December 2018 Rail Operations Group (ROG) No. 47815 'Great Western' and No.47812 double-head the 5L46 09:00 Laira to Ely Papworth Sidings through Norton Fiztwarren on Monday 17th December 2018. The Empty Coaching Stock move was to transfer off-lease GWR HST coaching stock for storage, the 47s and two barrier vehicles having travelled down from Leicester L.I.P the previous day. (Photo: S A Ginn)

17th December 2018 Rail Operations Group Class 47 No. 47815 'Great Western' and No.47812 pass Broomhay Crossing on Monday 17th December while hauling 5L46 09:00 Laria - Ely Paperworth Sidings. The train was conveying redundant HST stock (6344 42507 42099 41128 42272 42060 42573 42197 42061 44020 6340) which is being placed into store pending future use. (Photo: Shaun Mockridge)

16th December 2018 Rail Operations Group (ROG) moved two barrier vehicles from Leicester Depot to Laira on Sunday 16th December in preparation for another transfer of HST stock to Scotland. The 5V84 10:00 Leicester - Laira move was hauled by No.47812 and No. 47815 'Great Western' in 'top and tail' formation due to a required reversal. The train was routed via Severn Tunnel Junction where it reversed. In the pouring rain, No.47812 heads south at Banklands with Barriers 6340 and 6344 on tow. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

5th November 2018 Rail Operations Group Class 47 No.47812 storms the grade towards Whiteball Summit on Monday 5th November 2018 working light engine as 0M59 09:00 Laira - Leicester. The Class 47 had delivered a pair of GWR Power Cars, No. 43040 'Berry Pomeroy Castle' and No. 43153 'Chun Castle' to Laira Depot from refurbishment at Doncaster along with two new sliding door coaches (48131 and 49112), the previous Saturday evening. (Photo: S A Ginn)

4th October 2018 Having traveled from Theale to Taunton behind No. 60103 'Flying Scotsman' & Black 5 No.44871 the 'Cathedrals Express' returns to Theale behind West Coast Class 47 No. 47760 on Thursday 4th October 2018. While these 'post Scotsman' passengers return home both steam locos were serviced in the sidings behind Platform 1 at Taunton. The 1Z45 10:38 Taunton - Theale working is pictured passing Charlton near Cogload Junction. (Photo: S A Ginn)

19th August 2018 Pictured in Williton Shed on the West Somerset Railway under the car of the DEPG. Class 47 No. 47840 'North Star' is seen under planned maintenance and restoration on the 19th August 2018, 16 years after it lead the final Virgin Cross Country Locomotive Hauled passenger service out of Taunton Station. (Photo: Thomas Courtney)

30th June 2018 West Coast Railways Class 47 No.47832 trails the 'Exmoor Coast Statesman' (with No.47826 out of sight) through Crowcombe on the 30th June 2018. The premier dining charter is pictured passing the heritage diesel service (15:15 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead) waiting with Class 33 D6566 (No.33048). Unfortunately due to a points failure at Blue Anchor earlier in the day all services were running late. As the 1Z79 15:08 Minehead - Crewe needed to get back to the mainline it took priority over the WSRs own service trains. As a result of the 15:15 heritage diesel service to Minehead was canceled at Crowcombe and returned to Bishops Lydeard after The Statesman Charter had passed. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

30th June 2018 West Coast Railways fronted the 'Exmoor Coast Statesman' premier dining charter from Crewe to Minehead on Saturday 30th June. The tour was hauled by former western region Class 47/8 No.47832 with No.47826 on the opposite end of the train. The 1Z78 05:05 Crewe - Minehead is pictured passing Norton Fitzwarren having crossed over from the mainline onto the West Somerset Railway. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

30th June 2018 West Coast Railways Class 47 No.47826 leads the 'Exmoor Coast Statesman' through Crowcombe on the 30th June 2018. The premier dining charter is pictured passing the heritage diesel service (15:15 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead) waiting with Class 33 D6566 (No.33048). Unfortunately due to a points failure at Blue Anchor earlier in the day all services were running late. As the 1Z79 15:08 Minehead - Crewe needed to get back to the mainline it took priority over the WSRs own service trains. As a result the 15:15 heritage diesel servce to Minehead was cancelled at Crowcombe and returned to Bishops Lydeard after The Statesman Charter had passed. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

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