D1660 'City of Truro'
The Great Survivor
Neil Phillips
Five years ago today I submitted a short article marking the 55th anniversary of the naming of Brush Type 4 D1660 'City of Truro' at Truro station. Since another five years have passed and the lucky locomotive remains one of the circa 30 Class 47s still in service on the national network I thought 60 years is definitely a milestone worth drawing attention to, this time in the form of a 'life & times' listing.
D1660 was built by BR Crewe Works and entered traffic based at Landore depot, Swansea in March 1965 in two-tone green livery with small yellow warning panels. It was named 'City of Truro' at Truro station on 8th June 1965, the 6th Brush Type 4 to receive a name after D1661-4/6 and presumably the first of its type to be seen in Cornwall. Its first modification occurred later that year when the 3-part fixed radiator louvres on the roof were replaced by the familiar thermostatically-controlled twin Serck shutters to combat radiator frost damage in winter (internal changes to accommodate train air brake equipment had made this necessary).
Like so many of its classmates D1660 gained full yellow warning ends towards the end of 1967 and in 1969 its green paintwork was refurbished at Crewe Works during which it received the later-style numerals without D prefix. Around then one of its nameplates lost half of its alloy rimming - repair would be a long time coming! In August 1971 its then home depot, Old Oak Common, gave it a surprise repaint into BR blue livery but with the older-style numerals located on the cabside instead of the bodyside, a combination which remained unique to 1660. In this guise it attended the reopening of Truro Yard on 7th November 1971 following its remodelling. It was called to Crewe for a general overhaul in mid-1973, emerging as 1660 in what was by then standard blue livery with bodyside numbers - had this happened a few weeks later it would have been amongst the first Class 47s to receive a TOPS number, however its new identity, 47076, was eventually applied in February 1974, presumably by its home depot, still Old Oak Common.
The rest of the 1970s were relatively uneventful - another call to Crewe around 1979/80 saw 'domino dot' headcode panel inserts fitted, along with replacement of the missing nameplate rimming plus the 'U' and 'O' in 'TRURO' which had also gone absent by then! Its next visit to Crewe in November 1984 saw it fitted with Electric Train Heating equipment and renumbered 47625, but still in plain blue livery - an orange warning stripe at roof level was added in 1987. At some point in the 1980s the locomotive suffered a derailment in the Midlands which resulted in it resting at a 40-degree angle, but luckily no serious damage occurred (I've seen a photo but can't recall the details).
Its first major livery change since going blue in 1971 occurred in October 1988 when it was repainted into 'main line' livery (similar to 'Inter City' red/white stripe but with beige lower panels instead of off-white and no branding). Sadly at this point it lost its 'City of Truro' nameplates, and would run as an anonymous Class 47/4 until being transferred to the new Rail Express Systems (RES) fleet in October 1991, receiving their red/grey house colours and a new name, 'Resplendent'. Exactly 4 years later it was renumbered again to 47749 as a member of the RES Class 47/7 fleet and gained another new name, 'Atlantic College', which it would carry until February 1999, at which point it became nameless once again.
By then the once all-pervading Class 47 fleet was in rapid decline and 47749 soldiered on until withdrawal came on 4th March 2004 with nothing more serious than dragging brakes. The future now looked bleak for the former 'City of Truro' and it languished with other seemingly doomed class members in stored lines for over two years before being moved to the scrapyard of EMR Kingsbury. Remember I said at the beginning it was a lucky loco? This is where it happened! On 4th April 2007, after 3 years of precarious existence, it was rescued by Colas Rail along with two others for what was expected at the time to be 6 years' further use (we are now some way past 2013!!) Its new owner gave it a very necessary full overhaul, repaint into their orange, yellow & black livery and yet another name, 'Demelza', and its very first task upon release from Eastleigh in October 2007 was to work that autumn's RHTT trains in the South West with one of its new friends. It was also present at the Bodmin & Wenford Railway's Diesel Gala of 5th & 6th April 2008.
47749 was still very much part of the Colas Rail fleet in 2016, in which year it was finally reunited with its original name (if not its original plates, although they certainly looked the part), for an open day at Bristol St Philips Marsh depot. The following year Colas Rail relinquished their three Class 47s to GB Railfreight (GBRf), and 47749 received a repaint into a close approximation of the BR blue it wore for so long (or as close as all of the front-end modifications would allow!) with the nameplates relocated to their original positions towards No 1 end. Along with its two now long-term friends 47727/39, 47749 is fitted with Dellner couplings for the movement of multiple unit stock so equipped, which allows the towed train's braking system to be operated while not under power. It seems to keep a low profile these days but the 'Cornish celebrity' has managed to survive into the final working 30 against all the odds, and even retains the roof Serck shutters it collected in late 1965 - not all of them have. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for D1660/47076/47625/47749 'City of Truro'.......
D1660 was built by BR Crewe Works and entered traffic based at Landore depot, Swansea in March 1965 in two-tone green livery with small yellow warning panels. It was named 'City of Truro' at Truro station on 8th June 1965, the 6th Brush Type 4 to receive a name after D1661-4/6 and presumably the first of its type to be seen in Cornwall. Its first modification occurred later that year when the 3-part fixed radiator louvres on the roof were replaced by the familiar thermostatically-controlled twin Serck shutters to combat radiator frost damage in winter (internal changes to accommodate train air brake equipment had made this necessary).
Like so many of its classmates D1660 gained full yellow warning ends towards the end of 1967 and in 1969 its green paintwork was refurbished at Crewe Works during which it received the later-style numerals without D prefix. Around then one of its nameplates lost half of its alloy rimming - repair would be a long time coming! In August 1971 its then home depot, Old Oak Common, gave it a surprise repaint into BR blue livery but with the older-style numerals located on the cabside instead of the bodyside, a combination which remained unique to 1660. In this guise it attended the reopening of Truro Yard on 7th November 1971 following its remodelling. It was called to Crewe for a general overhaul in mid-1973, emerging as 1660 in what was by then standard blue livery with bodyside numbers - had this happened a few weeks later it would have been amongst the first Class 47s to receive a TOPS number, however its new identity, 47076, was eventually applied in February 1974, presumably by its home depot, still Old Oak Common.
The rest of the 1970s were relatively uneventful - another call to Crewe around 1979/80 saw 'domino dot' headcode panel inserts fitted, along with replacement of the missing nameplate rimming plus the 'U' and 'O' in 'TRURO' which had also gone absent by then! Its next visit to Crewe in November 1984 saw it fitted with Electric Train Heating equipment and renumbered 47625, but still in plain blue livery - an orange warning stripe at roof level was added in 1987. At some point in the 1980s the locomotive suffered a derailment in the Midlands which resulted in it resting at a 40-degree angle, but luckily no serious damage occurred (I've seen a photo but can't recall the details).
Its first major livery change since going blue in 1971 occurred in October 1988 when it was repainted into 'main line' livery (similar to 'Inter City' red/white stripe but with beige lower panels instead of off-white and no branding). Sadly at this point it lost its 'City of Truro' nameplates, and would run as an anonymous Class 47/4 until being transferred to the new Rail Express Systems (RES) fleet in October 1991, receiving their red/grey house colours and a new name, 'Resplendent'. Exactly 4 years later it was renumbered again to 47749 as a member of the RES Class 47/7 fleet and gained another new name, 'Atlantic College', which it would carry until February 1999, at which point it became nameless once again.
By then the once all-pervading Class 47 fleet was in rapid decline and 47749 soldiered on until withdrawal came on 4th March 2004 with nothing more serious than dragging brakes. The future now looked bleak for the former 'City of Truro' and it languished with other seemingly doomed class members in stored lines for over two years before being moved to the scrapyard of EMR Kingsbury. Remember I said at the beginning it was a lucky loco? This is where it happened! On 4th April 2007, after 3 years of precarious existence, it was rescued by Colas Rail along with two others for what was expected at the time to be 6 years' further use (we are now some way past 2013!!) Its new owner gave it a very necessary full overhaul, repaint into their orange, yellow & black livery and yet another name, 'Demelza', and its very first task upon release from Eastleigh in October 2007 was to work that autumn's RHTT trains in the South West with one of its new friends. It was also present at the Bodmin & Wenford Railway's Diesel Gala of 5th & 6th April 2008.
47749 was still very much part of the Colas Rail fleet in 2016, in which year it was finally reunited with its original name (if not its original plates, although they certainly looked the part), for an open day at Bristol St Philips Marsh depot. The following year Colas Rail relinquished their three Class 47s to GB Railfreight (GBRf), and 47749 received a repaint into a close approximation of the BR blue it wore for so long (or as close as all of the front-end modifications would allow!) with the nameplates relocated to their original positions towards No 1 end. Along with its two now long-term friends 47727/39, 47749 is fitted with Dellner couplings for the movement of multiple unit stock so equipped, which allows the towed train's braking system to be operated while not under power. It seems to keep a low profile these days but the 'Cornish celebrity' has managed to survive into the final working 30 against all the odds, and even retains the roof Serck shutters it collected in late 1965 - not all of them have. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for D1660/47076/47625/47749 'City of Truro'.......
1660 'City of Truro' at Oxford wearing its first and unique blue livery applied by Old Oak Common in August 1971. 19th May 1973. Copyright Neil Phillips.
1660 'City of Truro' at Truro now in standard blue livery, in grim weather conditions and failing light - I had boarded its train at Exeter and had to dash over the footbridge to get this photo - it was already moving which didn't help! It was renumbered 47076 two months later. 27th December 1973. Copyright Neil Phillips.
47076 'City of Truro' rests on Bristol Bath Road, unusually (for me!) bathed in sunlight. A pity it didn't come out better..... 6th July 1974. Copyright Neil Phillips.
A close-up of the damaged nameplate at Reading. This was finally repaired in 1979/80. 30th December 1976. Copyright Neil Phillips.
Many thanks for this fantastic article, Neil. Great that 'City of Truro' survives to this day.
'The Britannic Explorer'
test run to the west
David Tozer, Paul Barlow, Roger Winnen, Joe Birchall & Jon Hird
57310 heads west past Silverton en route to Penzance with empty coaching stock. This is a trial run for the soon to start Belmond 'Britannic Explorer' luxury sleeper train. 07.06.2025, copyright David Tozer.
66751 bringing up the rear. 07.06.2025, copyright David Tozer.
57311 0917 Fairwater to Penzance Britanic Explorer training run Western road St Thomas Exeter 7 June 2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
The Britannic Explorer heads west at St Austell. 07.06.2025, copyright Roger Winnen
66751 tails the train at St Austell. 07.06.2025, copyright Roger Winnen
57310 approaches Truro. 07.06.2025, copyright Joe Birchall.
66751 trailing on the rear. 07.06.2025, copyright Joe Birchall.
57310 crosses Hayle Viaduct near to the end of its journey. 07.06.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
At Penzance, the train departs for Long Rock Depot. 07.06.2025, copyright Roger Winnen
57310 is seen arriving at Penzance Station from the depot at 16.30 hrs. 07.06.2025, copyright Roger Winnen
Under the roof at Penzance. 07.06.2025, copyright Roger Winnen
A classic scene taken from the station wall at Penzance. 07.06.2025, copyright Roger Winnen
The driver arrives climbing into his locomotive. 07.06.2025, copyright Roger Winnen
66751 looks very smart as she awaits departure from Penzance at 17.30 hrs. 07.06.2025, copyright Roger Winnen
A mixture of rolling stock put together for this test run. 07.06.2025, copyright Roger Winnen
More of the rolling stock. 07.06.2025, copyright Roger Winnen
66751 leads the working to Fowey past Truro. 07.06.2025, copyright Joe Birchall.
The special seen at Par en route to Lostwithiel and Fowey. 07.06.2025, copyright Roger Winnen
Taken from the road overbridge at Par as the special heads for Lostwithiel. 07.06.2025, copyright Roger Winnen
Now running as 5Z24, 57310 becomes the first member of its class to travel to Fowey as it passes Golant. 07.06.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
With the sun down below the hills of Golant, there was no chance of a sunny shot, so this one from the river side will have to do. 66751 works back to Lostwithiel Down Goods Loop from Fowey. 07.06.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
After a brief pause at Lostwithiel, 57310 worked the train down the branch again to Fowey, where it would stable overnight. 07.06.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
57310 on Golant Crossing. 07.06.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
Many thanks to all who've sent in photos of this interesting working.
40013 works:
'The English Riviera Express'
Guy Vincent, Paul Barlow & David Tozer
D213 (40013) 'Andania' making it's annual visit to the west country heading Saphos Trains 1Z60 0521 Northampton - Kingswear 'English Riviera Express' on the approach to Clink Road Junction, Frome and running some 31 minutes early at this point. 57311 is at the rear of this 11 coach formation. D213 was due to be replaced at Taunton by SR 'West Country' 34046 'Braunton' but this reportedly became unavailable at a late stage so 'Andania' worked through to Kingswear, arriving 86 minutes early at 11.49am. This must surely set a new record for a railtour? 07.06.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
Due to the adverse weather and other commitments I had not planned to photograph the steam working to Kingswear. At 0950 I made a last minute change of mind and drove to Silverton. Whilst en-route I had a call to say that 34046 Braunton had failed a fitness to run exam and as a consequence the 0521 Northampton to Kingswear was running some one hour early with Class 40 D213 on the front. On reaching Silverton I found that the vegetation growth was somewhat out of control. The attached is the best that I could do under the circumstances. Finding a decent lineside location is getting rather difficult these days. 07.06.2025, copyright David Tozer.
D213 0535 Northampton to Kingswear Western Road St Thomas Exeter (57311 on rear). The 40 was a unexpected visitor due to the failure of 34046 Braunton at Bishops Lydeard this morning. 07.06.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
From Guy Vincent:
Due to no loco change being necessary at Taunton the return 1Z62 1635 Kingswear - Northampton 'English Riviera Express' ran over 45 minutes early with an added bonus of being routed through Westbury station rather than along the avoiding line. Following a spell of heavy rain the sun reappeared and gave good lighting as the train passed slowly through, the shiny paint finish noticeably reflecting ballast against the bodyside.
This tour, in my opinion, gave an exceptional day out for patrons who, unusually, were able to enjoy a class 40 at the head of their train all day. Excellent value!
Due to no loco change being necessary at Taunton the return 1Z62 1635 Kingswear - Northampton 'English Riviera Express' ran over 45 minutes early with an added bonus of being routed through Westbury station rather than along the avoiding line. Following a spell of heavy rain the sun reappeared and gave good lighting as the train passed slowly through, the shiny paint finish noticeably reflecting ballast against the bodyside.
This tour, in my opinion, gave an exceptional day out for patrons who, unusually, were able to enjoy a class 40 at the head of their train all day. Excellent value!
40013 passes Westbury with 1Z62 1635 KWR-NMP 07.06.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
57311 on the rear of the tour at Westbury. 07.06.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
Great to see this old girl out and about, many thanks to you all.
South Worcestershire Activity
Steve Widdowson
The Loram Rail Grinder made up of DR79231 DR79232 DR79233 DR79236 DR79237 at Besford Bridge Worcs working 6Z08 - the 1328 Cofton Jn to Westbury. 06.06.2025, copyright Steve Widdowson.
66730 passes Abbotswood Worcs working 6V35 - the 0845 Clitheroe Castle Cement Gb to Avonmouth Hanson Sdg. 06.06.2025, copyright Steve Widdowson.
Finally we see 37418 with inspection saloon 975025 'Caroline' passing Abbotswood Worcs as 5Z41 - the 1503 Cardiff Ninian Park to Derby RTC. 06.06.2025, copyright Steve Widdowson.
Some interesting trains there, many thanks Steve.
37116 at rest
Oscar Hocking
37116 rests at Penzance between duties on the test train on 05.06.2025. Copyright Oscar Hocking.
Many thanks Oscar - and to Tom for sending it in.
The WSR Diesel Gala
Paul Barlow
Please click any of the images below to obtain an enlargement and caption.
All images are copyright Paul Barlow.
All images are copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks Paul - lots of variety.