Locomotive Class

Class 47 (Type 4)

Class 47 (Type 4) Class: Class 47 (Type 4)
Type: Diesel-Electric
Designer: Brush
Weight: 117 tons
Purpose: Heavy Freight & Express Passenger

Information: Originally classified as Type 4 locomotives and later re-classified under the TOPS system as Class 47; the locomotives were introduced in 1962 with variants of the class still operational today (2010).

Details: Originally classified by British Railways as Type 4 diesel electric locomotives; in 1962 as part of the British Railways modernization plan, these locomotives were key elements in the plan put forth by the British Transport Commission to completely replace steam traction through-out the system by 1968. To optimize class availability a high power, light axle weight design was incorporated for both passenger and freight operations.
Two prototypes were built for assessment; the first D0260 Lion, produced by AEI and BRC&W using a Sulzer engine, whilst in comparison a second unit, D0280 Falcon was built by Brush Traction, utilizing a Maybach engine. Because of the short time involved to build a large fleet; significant testing was not conducted, but the apparent early success of Lion prompted the decision to stay with the Sulzer motive power.
Eventually, 512-locomotives were built. They were constructed jointly between BRC&W in Crewe and Brush Traction in Loughborough. Many early locomotives were equipped with steam heat apparatus for passenger coach heating. In later years these were replaced with electric heating units.
The TOPS numbering system reclassified the locomotive and numbering system from 1972. With the introduction of the TOPS system differences between class members were easier to keep a track of. As such, many locomotives were reclassified and renumbered over their long life-spans.
Through the years the class has seen a wide variety of colourful liveries. Originally introduced in dual-tone green; this gave way to corporate blue by the late 1960’s. By the early 1980’s a sense of individuality returned as units were repainted in a wide variety of British Railway sector liveries. In turn these gave way to an even wider and more varied spectrum of colours as used by the Private Owner Companies after 1995.
The class was extremely successful and locomotives were used through-out Britain on all regions. After 20-years of service; by 1985 only 5-members had been with-drawn, all due to accident damage. After this time the locomotives work was declining, or in a state of change. High Speed Trains were taking over mainline passenger duties and steam heated stock was being disposed of at an alarming rate. Although being continually up-dated to reflect the modern motive power scene; the use of a double ended versatile freight / passenger diesel was now becoming some-what limited. After 1985 the original 20 units were with-drawn as non-standard. After that, units not recently having a major over-haul became easy targets for withdrawal.
Between 1997 and 2004; 33-members of the class were completely refurbished with General Motors drive units for hauling both mainline passenger and freight for their private operator owners. Interestingly, the Class 57 was built to compete with the newly introduced class 66, itself part of the plan to replace the ageing fleet of Class 47’s. As of 2009, 37 units were allocated to private ownership and heritage railways with a hand-full of original Class 47’s still in daily operation. As interest in early diesels becomes increasingly popular, the Class 47 will no doubt be with us for many years to come.Originally classified by British Railways as Type 4 diesel electric locomotives; in 1962 as part of the British Railways modernization plan, these locomotives were key elements in the plan put forth by the British Transport Commission to completely replace steam traction through-out the system by 1968. To optimize class availability a high power, light axle weight design was incorporated for both passenger and freight operations.
Two prototypes were built for assessment; the first D0260 Lion, produced by AEI and BRC&W using a Sulzer engine, whilst in comparison a second unit, D0280 Falcon was built by Brush Traction, utilizing a Maybach engine. Because of the short time involved to build a large fleet; significant testing was not conducted, but the apparent early success of Lion prompted the decision to stay with the Sulzer motive power.
Eventually, 512-locomotives were built. They were constructed jointly between BRC&W in Crewe and Brush Traction in Loughborough. Many early locomotives were equipped with steam heat apparatus for passenger coach heating. In later years these were replaced with electric heating units.
The TOPS numbering system reclassified the locomotive and numbering system from 1972. With the introduction of the TOPS system differences between class members were easier to keep a track of. As such, many locomotives were reclassified and renumbered over their long life-spans.
Through the years the class has seen a wide variety of colourful liveries. Originally introduced in dual-tone green; this gave way to corporate blue by the late 1960’s. By the early 1980’s a sense of individuality returned as units were repainted in a wide variety of British Railway sector liveries. In turn these gave way to an even wider and more varied spectrum of colours as used by the Private Owner Companies after 1995.
The class was extremely successful and locomotives were used through-out Britain on all regions. After 20-years of service; by 1985 only 5-members had been with-drawn, all due to accident damage. After this time the locomotives work was declining, or in a state of change. High Speed Trains were taking over mainline passenger duties and steam heated stock was being disposed of at an alarming rate. Although being continually up-dated to reflect the modern motive power scene; the use of a double ended versatile freight / passenger diesel was now becoming some-what limited. After 1985 the original 20 units were with-drawn as non-standard. After that, units not recently having a major over-haul became easy targets for withdrawal.
Between 1997 and 2004; 33-members of the class were completely refurbished with General Motors drive units for hauling both mainline passenger and freight for their private operator owners. Interestingly, the Class 57 was built to compete with the newly introduced class 66, itself part of the plan to replace the ageing fleet of Class 47’s. As of 2009, 37 units were allocated to private ownership and heritage railways with a hand-full of original Class 47’s still in daily operation. As interest in early diesels becomes increasingly popular, the Class 47 will no doubt be with us for many years to come.

John Faulkner

Class 47 (Type 4) Releases (45)

MODEL NO. LIVERY
B.R. Freightliner Locomotive with Three Container Wagons (Class 47)
Released: 1998
47345 Freightliner Grey
Class 47 (Type 4) Co-Co Locomotive
Released: 1977 1978
47421 B.R. Blue
Class 47 (Type 4) Co-Co Locomotive
Released: 1976
D1520 B.R. Green
Class 47 (Type 4) Co-Co Locomotive
Released: 1974 1975
D1738 B.R. Green
Class 47 (Type 4) Co-Co Locomotive - Mammoth
Released: 1979 1980 1981 1982
D1670 B.R. Green
Class 47 Co-Co Diesel Electric Locomotive
Released: 2005
47784 One Blue
Class 47 Co-Co Diesel Electric Locomotive
Released: 2005
47854 WCR Maroon
Class 47 Co-Co Diesel Electric Locomotive - Carn Peak
Released: 2005 2006 2007
47316 Cotswold Grey
Class 47 Co-Co Diesel Electric Locomotive - The Fosse Way
Released: 2005 2006 2007
47200 Cotswold Grey
Class 47 Co-Co Diesel Locomotive
Released: 1995 1996
47808 B.R. Express Parcels
Class 47 Co-Co Diesel Locomotive - James Nightall G.C.
Released: 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993
47579 B.R. Network SouthEast
Class 47 Co-Co Locomotive
Released: 1984 1985 1986 1987
47568 B.R. Blue
Class 47 Co-Co Locomotive
Released: 1986 1987
47487 B.R. Inter City
Class 47 Co-Co Locomotive
Released: 1988 1989 1990
47409 B.R. Blue
Class 47 Co-Co Locomotive
Released: 1988
47378 B.R. Railfreight
Class 47 Co-Co Locomotive - County Of Norfolk
Released: 1982 1983
47170 B.R. Railfreight
Class 47 Co-Co Locomotive - Lady Diana Spencer
Released: 1981
47712 B.R. Blue Large Logo
Class 47 Co-Co Locomotive - North Star
Released: 1988 1989 1990
47613 B.R. Inter City
Class 47 Co-Co Locomotive - Northamptonshire
Released: 1991 1992
47586 B.R. Inter City Swallow
Class 47 Co-Co Locomotive - Rail Riders
Released: 1985
47406 B.R. Blue
Class 47 Co-Co Locomotive - The London Standard
Released: 1987 1988
47573 B.R. Network SouthEast
Class 47 Co-Co Locomotive - The Queen Mother
Released: 1983 1984 1985
47541 B.R. Blue
Class 47 Co-Co Locomotive - The Silcock Express
Released: 1989 1990 1992 1996
47231 B.R. Railfreight Speedlink Distribution
Class 47 Co-Co Locomotive - Tunnel
Released: 1994
47234 B.R. Railfreight Speedlink Distribution
Class 47 Co-Co Locomotives - Greyfriars Bobby & The Duke Of Edinburghs Award
Released: 1988
47716 47711 B.R. ScotRail
Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive
Released: 1998
47844 Virgin Red
Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive
Released: 2004
47237 DRS Blue
Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive
Released: 2004
47839 Riviera Blue
Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive
Released: 2004
47853 Riviera XP64 Blue
Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive (Weathered)
Released: 2002
47120 B.R. Blue Large Logo
Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive (Weathered)
Released: 2003 2004
47432 B.R. Blue Large Logo
Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive (Weathered)
Released: 2004 2005
47473 B.R. Blue Large Logo
Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive - Bristol Bath Road
Released: 2004
47816 GW Green
Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive - Dionysos
Released: 2007 2008
47709 Pullman Blue & Grey
Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive - Freightliner 1995
Released: 1997
47376 Freightliner Grey
Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive - Pride of Shrewsbury
Released: 2000
47822 Virgin Red
Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive - Pride Of Toton
Released: 2004
47805 Virgin Red
Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive - Resilient
Released: 2003
47741 Virgin Red
Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive - Spirit Of Chester
Released: 2002
47841 Virgin Red
Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive - The Lion Of Vienna
Released: 2002
47807 Virgin Red
Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive - The Queen Mother
Released: 2003
47722 Virgin Red
Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive - Womens Royal Voluntary Service
Released: 2004 2005 2006
47854 Virgin Red
Class 47 Diesel Locomotive
Released: 1990 1991 1992
47079 B.R. Railfreight 2-Tone Grey
Class 47 Diesel Locomotive
Released: 2008r 2009r 2010r
47844 Virgin Red
Serco Railtest Train Pack (Class 47 - Isle Of Iona)
Released: 2005 2006 2007
47781 Private Owner Diesel Locomotive

Class 47 (Type 4) Images (45)

B.R. Freightliner Locomotive with Three Container Wagons (Class 47)
B.R. Freightliner Locomotive with Three Container Wagons (Class 47) 47345

Class 47 (Type 4) Co-Co Locomotive
Class 47 (Type 4) Co-Co Locomotive 47421

Class 47 (Type 4) Co-Co Locomotive
Class 47 (Type 4) Co-Co Locomotive D1520

Class 47 (Type 4) Co-Co Locomotive
Class 47 (Type 4) Co-Co Locomotive D1738

Class 47 (Type 4) Co-Co Locomotive - Mammoth
Class 47 (Type 4) Co-Co Locomotive - Mammoth D1670

Class 47 Co-Co Diesel Electric Locomotive
Class 47 Co-Co Diesel Electric Locomotive 47784

Class 47 Co-Co Diesel Electric Locomotive
Class 47 Co-Co Diesel Electric Locomotive 47854

Class 47 Co-Co Diesel Electric Locomotive - Carn Peak
Class 47 Co-Co Diesel Electric Locomotive - Carn Peak 47316

Class 47 Co-Co Diesel Electric Locomotive - The Fosse Way
Class 47 Co-Co Diesel Electric Locomotive - The Fosse Way 47200

Class 47 Co-Co Diesel Locomotive
Class 47 Co-Co Diesel Locomotive 47808

Class 47 Co-Co Diesel Locomotive - James Nightall G.C.
Class 47 Co-Co Diesel Locomotive - James Nightall G.C. 47579

Class 47 Co-Co Locomotive
Class 47 Co-Co Locomotive 47568

Class 47 Co-Co Locomotive
Class 47 Co-Co Locomotive 47487

Class 47 Co-Co Locomotive
Class 47 Co-Co Locomotive 47409

Class 47 Co-Co Locomotive
Class 47 Co-Co Locomotive 47378

Class 47 Co-Co Locomotive - County Of Norfolk
Class 47 Co-Co Locomotive - County Of Norfolk 47170

Class 47 Co-Co Locomotive - Lady Diana Spencer
Class 47 Co-Co Locomotive - Lady Diana Spencer 47712

Class 47 Co-Co Locomotive - North Star
Class 47 Co-Co Locomotive - North Star 47613

Class 47 Co-Co Locomotive - Northamptonshire
Class 47 Co-Co Locomotive - Northamptonshire 47586

Class 47 Co-Co Locomotive - Rail Riders
Class 47 Co-Co Locomotive - Rail Riders 47406

Class 47 Co-Co Locomotive - The London Standard
Class 47 Co-Co Locomotive - The London Standard 47573

Class 47 Co-Co Locomotive - The Queen Mother
Class 47 Co-Co Locomotive - The Queen Mother 47541

Class 47 Co-Co Locomotive - The Silcock Express
Class 47 Co-Co Locomotive - The Silcock Express 47231

Class 47 Co-Co Locomotive - Tunnel
Class 47 Co-Co Locomotive - Tunnel 47234

Class 47 Co-Co Locomotives - Greyfriars Bobby & The Duke Of Edinburghs Award
Class 47 Co-Co Locomotives - Greyfriars Bobby & The Duke Of Edinburghs Award 47716 47711

Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive
Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive 47844

Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive
Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive 47237

Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive
Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive 47839

Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive
Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive 47853

Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive (Weathered)
Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive (Weathered) 47120

Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive (Weathered)
Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive (Weathered) 47432

Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive (Weathered)
Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive (Weathered) 47473

Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive - Bristol Bath Road
Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive - Bristol Bath Road 47816

Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive - Dionysos
Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive - Dionysos 47709

Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive - Freightliner 1995
Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive - Freightliner 1995 47376

Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive - Pride of Shrewsbury
Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive - Pride of Shrewsbury 47822

Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive - Pride Of Toton
Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive - Pride Of Toton 47805

Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive - Resilient
Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive - Resilient 47741

Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive - Spirit Of Chester
Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive - Spirit Of Chester 47841

Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive - The Lion Of Vienna
Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive - The Lion Of Vienna 47807

Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive - The Queen Mother
Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive - The Queen Mother 47722

Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive - Womens Royal Voluntary Service
Class 47 Diesel Electric Locomotive - Womens Royal Voluntary Service 47854

Class 47 Diesel Locomotive
Class 47 Diesel Locomotive 47079

Class 47 Diesel Locomotive
Class 47 Diesel Locomotive 47844

Serco Railtest Train Pack (Class 47 - Isle Of Iona)
Serco Railtest Train Pack (Class 47 - Isle Of Iona) 47781


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Database

11,328 yearly Items over 57 Years.
4,069 individual Items.
3,707 Models.
362 catalogued Train Sets.
156 Train Packs.
820 Steam Locomotives.
497 Diesel Locomotives.
1,082 Passenger Coaches.
1,152 Freight Wagons.


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