It's a Namer!
The fate of the original Western Region Brush Type 4 Diesels
Guy Vincent
Following the recent theme of photos and information concerning 'City of Truro', here is a brief overview of the Western Region's batch of sixteen class 47 locomotives delivered new from Crewe works between February and April 1965. British Railways (Western Region) flexing their muscles of independence again and applying names of GWR significance following delivery of the earlier Warship and Western type 4s!
For ease of reference I've listed the locomotives by their 1974 TOPS numbers followed by the original D16xx series, then any later renumbering after each name.
So, of the seventeen locos named just six remain, with two of these re-engineered class 57s.
Strangely, four of the first five are included and it is to be hoped that at some time in the future 47484 will return to use. Commendably, 57009 has been reliveried in two-tone green and carries original style G. J. Churchward nameplates, the same as those fitted in 1979 and worn until 1985 when brass versions were applied for GWR 150. One of the 1965 (very long) George Jackson Churchward plates is kept at the NRM, York.
D1671 aside, only two locos, 47085 and 47089, escaped conversion to either ETH or class 57 status. In 1979 the by then denamed 47089 received replacement Amazon plates that were cast in the later 1970s style.
Also of note is the fate of both 47080 and 47081. Delivered together, both given ETH in the 1980s then fitted with long-range fuel tanks and later RES PCV-equipped until finally being broken up at the same time by the same breaker.
Given the recent interest 47076 / 47749 has generated maybe it should become the official diesel mascot of the CRS?
Finally, I wonder whether one of the West Country's heritage lines would consider having 'City of Truro' once GBRF have no further use for it?
For ease of reference I've listed the locomotives by their 1974 TOPS numbers followed by the original D16xx series, then any later renumbering after each name.
- 47076 (D1660) City of Truro (47625) now 47749 and in service with GB Railfreight.
- 47077 (D1661) North Star (47613, 47840) Preserved and currently operating on the North Yorks Moors Railway.
- 47484 (D1662) Isambard Kingdom Brunel Preserved, unrestored in long-term storage at Goodman's yard, Wishaw.
- 47078 (D1663) Sir Daniel Gooch (47628) Scrapped in March 2006 by Ron Hull of Parkgate, Rotherham.
- 47079 (D1664) George Jackson Churchward Re-engineered, now 57009 and operated by West Coast Railways.
- 47080 (D1665) Titan (47612, 47838, 47779) Scrapped in March 2006 by HNRC at EMR, Kingsbury.
- 47081 (D1666) Odin (47606, 47842, 47778) Scrapped in March 2006 by HNRC at EMR, Kingsbury.
- 47082 (D1667) Atlas (47626, 47750) Scrapped in May 2008 by EMR at Kingsbury.
- 47083 (D1668) Orion (47633) Scrapped in June 1994 by MC Metals, Springburn, Glasgow.
- 47538 (D1669) Python (ADB968035) Scrapped circa March 1997 by MRJ Phillips at Crewe Works.
- 47085 (D1670) Mammoth Scrapped by January 2000 by EWS at Wigan Springs Branch CRDC.
- (D1671) Thor Written off in collision with D6983 nr Bridgend on 17th Dec.1965. Scrapped 1966. See D1677.
- 47086 (D1672) Colossus (47641, 47767) Scrapped July 2009 C F Booth, Rotherham.
- 47087 (D1673) Cyclops (47624) Scrapped September 2006 C F Booth, Rotherham.
- 47088 (D1674) Samson (47653, 47808, 47781) Scrapped April 2007 by EMR Kingsbury.
- 47089 (D1675) Amazon. Collision, Chinley 20.02.1987 Scrapped Mar. 1989 by Coopers Metals, Attercliffe Sheffield.
- 47090 (D1676) Vulcan (47623, 47843) unserviceable, now owned by West Coast Railways, Carnforth.
- 47091 (D1677) Thor (47647, 47846) Rebuilt as 57308, currently owned by Direct Rail Services (DRS), Carlisle.
- D1677 received the THOR plates at Bristol Bath Road depot, reportedly on August 3rd 1966, making it the seventeenth 'namer'.
So, of the seventeen locos named just six remain, with two of these re-engineered class 57s.
Strangely, four of the first five are included and it is to be hoped that at some time in the future 47484 will return to use. Commendably, 57009 has been reliveried in two-tone green and carries original style G. J. Churchward nameplates, the same as those fitted in 1979 and worn until 1985 when brass versions were applied for GWR 150. One of the 1965 (very long) George Jackson Churchward plates is kept at the NRM, York.
D1671 aside, only two locos, 47085 and 47089, escaped conversion to either ETH or class 57 status. In 1979 the by then denamed 47089 received replacement Amazon plates that were cast in the later 1970s style.
Also of note is the fate of both 47080 and 47081. Delivered together, both given ETH in the 1980s then fitted with long-range fuel tanks and later RES PCV-equipped until finally being broken up at the same time by the same breaker.
Given the recent interest 47076 / 47749 has generated maybe it should become the official diesel mascot of the CRS?
Finally, I wonder whether one of the West Country's heritage lines would consider having 'City of Truro' once GBRF have no further use for it?
Many thanks for your comprehensive report, Guy - we all appreciate the time you put into such things.
It'd be great if 'City of Truro' could make its way 'home' once its mainline career is over.
It'd be great if 'City of Truro' could make its way 'home' once its mainline career is over.
Stranger on the Sleeper
Jonathan Harbage
Hired-in 57301 was on the up sleeper to London Paddington on the 17/06/25. It's pictured going through Truro. Copyright Jonathan Harbage.
Many thanks Jonathan, well spotted.
Cl.153 Test Train
Bill Elston & David Tozer
Another trip through Crewkerne today (19.06) for Network Rail's blue inspection train, 153311 (car 52311). Working from Yeovil Jct to Exeter Riverside yd as 2Q51. The train is seen 1 mile west of Crewkern station. 19.06.2025, copyright Bill Elston.
Like buses you haven't seen a Class 153 for ages then we get two visits in a month. Class 153/2 153311 for the second time with the 1450 2Q51 Yeovil Junction to Exeter Riverside. Earlier it had worked as follows:- 1150 2Q50 1150 Eastleigh East Yard to Wilton. 1314 2X50 Wilton to Yeovil Junction. According to RTT it was times as a locomotive. 19.06.2025, copyright David Tozer.
Many thanks both, nice to see a couple of photos from the old Southern route.
'City of Truro'
Jon Hird
Sadly I do not have any photographs of D1660/47749 etc. to add to the recent 'City of Truro' photos, but here is a picture of the original recipient of the nameplates, 3440, waiting departure from Bodmin Parkway on 14.08.2004. Copyright Jon Hird.