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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.

19th September 2026
West Coast Railways Class 47 No.47848 powers away from Watchet at Helwell Bay on Saturday 19th September 2026. No.47848 and No.47237 operated in top and tail formation, hauling The Railway Touring Company 'West Somerset Steam Express' charter 1Z26 15:30 Minehead - London Paddington.
(Photo: Adam Hiscock)

19th September 2026
The Railway Touring Company charter 'The Cornish Branchliner' is pictured passing Norton Fitzwarren on Saturday 19th September 2026. No.47812 and No.47802 operated in top and tail formation with 1Z19 06:25 Crewe - Fowey (Carne Point). The train was heavily delayed by 92 minutes owing to a signal issue in the Bromsgrove area (where rats had chewed through electrical cables) and a further track inspection near Cogload Junction. The train arrived at its destination 42 minutes late.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)

19th September 2026
Heavily delayed by signal failure between Birmingham and Cheltenham, West Coast Class 47/8 No.47812 configured in 'top & tail' formation with 47/8 No.47802 heads west through Fordgate with the 1Z19 06:25 Crewe to Fowey Dock Carne Point ‘The Cornish Branchliner’ (A Railway Touring Company railtour) on Saturday 19th September 2026. An additional delay was also incurred between Bridgwater and Cogload Junction, again due to a signallling/track fault, increasing the total downtime on the schedule to a deficit of 94 minutes on passing Taunton.
(Photo: S A Ginn)

19th September 2026
The Railway Touring Company charter 'The Cornish Branchliner' is pictured passing Cogload Junction on Saturday 19th September 2026. No.47812 and No.47802 operated in top and tail formation with 1Z19 06:25 Crewe - Fowey (Carne Point). The train was heavily delayed by 92 minutes owing to a signal issue in the Bromsgrove area and a further track inspection near Cogload Junction. The train arrived at its destination 42 minutes late.
(Photo: Kian Westlake)

19th September 2026
The Railway Touring Company charter 'The West Somerset Steam Express' was diesel-hauled on Saturday 19th September 2026. West Coast Railways heritage Class 47 locomotives No.47237 and No.47848 operated in top and tail formation for the trip. Recently painted Class 47 No.47237 is pictured at Norton Fitzwarren operating 1Z25 07:01 London Paddington - Minehead.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)

22nd August 2026
Despite the recent small amount of rain which has fallen in the last week, the linside vegitation continues to grow unanbated, and a steam ban remains in place. Saphos Trains continued to operate their 'English Riviera Express' charters with Heritage Diesel traction throughout. Intercity-liveried Class 47 No. 47593 'Galloway Princess' makes a fine sight while operating in top-and-tail formation with No. 57302 at Creech St Michael on Saturday 22nd August 2026. The pair were operating the 1Z07 05:30 Bedford - Kingswear charter with Mk1 crimson and cream stock in tow. Image taken on a camera pole.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)

17th August 2026
British Railways two-tone green Class 47 No. 47810 'Crewe Diesel Depot' passes Cogload Junction on the 15th August 2026, operating in a top-and-tail formation with No. 57003 'Inter City Railway Society 50th Anniversary 1973 - 2023'. The pair were returning 'The English Riviera' express from Devon as 1Z08 16:35 Kingswear - Three Bridges, running with heritage diesel traction due to the ban on mainline steam locomotives because of the inherent fire risk.
(Photo: Kian Westlake)

8th August 2026
Having been severely delayed during its journey west by both sheep on the line and the rear locomotive reported with smoke coming from the locomotive, No. 47810 'Crewe Diesel Depot' is pictured at Cogload Junction on Saturday 8th August 2026. No. 47810 'Crewe Diesel Depot' was hauling Saphos Trains 'The English Riviera Express' charter as 1Z07 05:40 Ely - Kingswear. No. 47805 'Roger Hosking MA 1925-2013 ' had been detached and stabled at Westbury after an incident with suspected dragging brakes. The charter still managed to get to Kingswear 32 minutes late despite running 113 minutes late at Cogload Junction owing to not needing to stop for water.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)

1st August 2026
Two-tone Green Class 47 No. 47805 'Roger Hosking MA 1925-2013 ' is pictured paused on Platform 5 at Taunton on the 1st August 2026. Saphos Trains 'English Riviera Express' charter passed through the Taunton area on Saturday 1st August 2026. With a steam ban still in place, the charter was hauled throughout, but diesel traction No. 47805 'Roger Hosking MA 1925-2013 ' and No.57302 operated 1Z07 06:17 Shrewsbury - Kingswear in a top-and-tail formation.
(Photo: Jason Prole)

1st August 2026
Still no steam for the English Riviera Express as we head into August. Locomotive Services Group Class 47 No. 47805 'Roger Hosking MA 1925-2013 ' (D1935) running in 'top and tail' configuration with Class 57 No.57302 passing Fordgate with the 1Z07 06:17 Shrewsbury to KIngswear via Taunton. With no steam locomotive to attach at Taunton, the formation remained as seen here for the run down to Torbay and Kingswear. Image captured on Saturday 1st August 2026.
(Photo: S A Ginn)

1st August 2026
Saphos Trains 'English Riviera Express' charter passed through the Taunton area on Saturday 1st August 2026. With a steam ban still in place, the charter was hauled throughout, but diesel traction No. 47805 'Roger Hosking MA 1925-2013 ' and No.57302 operated 1Z07 06:17 Shrewsbury - Kingswear in a top-and-tail formation. The veteran Class 47 is pictured padding Creech St Michael.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)

1st August 2026
With a ban on mainline steam still firmly in place as we head into August, Locomotive Services Group. On Saturday the 1st August, Class 47 No.47803 (D1935), working in 'top and tail' configuration with Class 57 No. 57302, cleared the summit at Whiteball with the 1Z07 06:17 Shrewsbury to Kingswear. With no steam locomotive to attach at Taunton, the English Riviera Express continued as formed for the initial leg of the day with the Class 47 leading the tour down to Kingswear.
(Photo: S A Ginn)

26th July 2026
The Royal Duchy charter operated with heritage diesel traction on Sunday 26th July 2026. No.47848 led No.47237 south in a top-and-tail formation throughout. The booked steam locomotive was unable to haul the train due to a steam ban because of the ongoing dry period. No.47848 passes Creech St Michael operating 1Z33 08:47 Bristol Temple Meads - Par.
(Photo: Kian Westlake)

26th July 2026
The Royal Duchy charter operated with heritage diesel traction on Sunday 26th July 2026. No.47848 led No.47237 south in a top-and-tail formation throughout. The booked steam locomotive was unable to haul the train due to a steam ban because of the ongoing dry period. No.47848 passes Creech St Michael operating 1Z33 08:47 Bristol Temple Meads - Par.
(Photo: Kian Westlake)

25th July 2026
Former First Great Western and Freightliner Class 47 No.47830 powers through Cogload Junction on 25th July 2026. No.47830 and No. 47810 'Crewe Diesel Depot' were returning with Steam Dreams charter 'Southend to Paignton & Kingswear'. The 1Z08 16:35 Kingswear -Southend charter had arrived at Taunton 79 minutes early at 18:41 due to not having to make a stop for water. The charter was then held at Taunton until 20:04 to take its booked path back to Southend.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)

25th July 2026
The Steam Dreams 'Southend to Paington & Kingswear' charter operated with heritage diesel traction on Saturday 25th July 2026 due to a steam ban because of the summer heat. No. 47810 'Crewe Diesel Depot' and No.47830 operated in a top-and-tail formation throughout. The pair are pictured passing the weed- and bramble-infested illegal encampment at Silk Mills, operating as 1Z07 06:00 Southend Central - Kingswear.
(Photo: Phil Izzard)

25th July 2026
The Steam Dreams 'Southend to Paington & Kingswear' charter operated with heritage diesel traction on Saturday 25th July 2026 due to a steam ban because of the summer heat. No. 47810 'Crewe Diesel Depot' and No.47830 operated in top and tail formation throughout. The pair are pictured passing Oath operating as 1Z07 06:00 Southend Central - Kingswear.
(Photo: Kian Westlake)

11th July 2026
Making a welcome return to the south west and mainline operation (now with a new operator) after a ten-year absence. No.47830 passes Cogload Junction in top and tail formation with No. 47810 'Crewe Diesel Depot' on Saturday, 11th July 2026. The locos were operating Saphos Trains 'English Riviera Express' returning as 1Z62 16:35 Kingswear - High Wycombe. The train ran with heritage diesels throughout this week due to a black steam ban due to the extreme heat.
(Photo: Brian Garrett)

11th July 2026
Saphos Trains operated 'The English Riviera Express' charter on Saturday, 11th July 2026. In the summer heatwave, No. 47810 'Crewe Diesel Depot' and No.47830 top and tailed 1Z61 05:40 High Wycombe - Kingswear charter, captured passing Cogload Junction.
(Photo: Kian Westlake)

24th June 2026
Scotrail liveried Class 47 No. 47712 'Lady Diana Spencer' passes Creech St Michael, scorching evening sunlight returning Saphos Trains 'Welsh Marches Express' charter south. No. 47712 'Lady Diana Spencer' operated in top and tail formation with LSL Class 20 locomotives No.20132 and No. 20118 'Saltburn by the Sea' as 1Z62 16:07 Shrewsbury - Paingnton after the earlier failure of No.57302 on the northbound trip.
(Photo: Kian Westlake)

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