Life after First Great Western
The Class 47/8s
Steve Clark
I'm sure you all know that Great Western's Fleet of 47s found further use away from the Western Region, nominally with Freightliner Heavy Haul where they were to be found on all manner of workings.
From 2006, some of the Class 442's which I worked on were being sent to Ilford for some remedial work to comply with new rules for disabled people, especially those who are visually impaired. This meant that the passenger entry doors had to be a different colour from the rest of the livery, and the 442's were stripped of their 3rd Rail shoe beams and gear before being dragged to Ilford by Heavy Haul machines.
Class 47s were used for nearly all the workings, however the odd 66 was used when Class 47 availability was low. Below are a few images of these workings captured in 2006 and 2007.
I was also lucky enough to bag a couple of workings of drags from Liverpool Street to Norwich via Brandon whilst work was being done to lower the track bed inside Ipswich Tunnel (to clear the route to W10 spec, to allow for boxes to be carried on standard flat wagons). Ex-FGW 47813 was one of the Locos seen still wearing its Green livery.
Finally, there is the sorry sight of 47816 out in open storage at Crewe Basford Hall Yard, seen whilst on an organised Tour of the Yard.
From 2006, some of the Class 442's which I worked on were being sent to Ilford for some remedial work to comply with new rules for disabled people, especially those who are visually impaired. This meant that the passenger entry doors had to be a different colour from the rest of the livery, and the 442's were stripped of their 3rd Rail shoe beams and gear before being dragged to Ilford by Heavy Haul machines.
Class 47s were used for nearly all the workings, however the odd 66 was used when Class 47 availability was low. Below are a few images of these workings captured in 2006 and 2007.
I was also lucky enough to bag a couple of workings of drags from Liverpool Street to Norwich via Brandon whilst work was being done to lower the track bed inside Ipswich Tunnel (to clear the route to W10 spec, to allow for boxes to be carried on standard flat wagons). Ex-FGW 47813 was one of the Locos seen still wearing its Green livery.
Finally, there is the sorry sight of 47816 out in open storage at Crewe Basford Hall Yard, seen whilst on an organised Tour of the Yard.
47811 drags a class 442 for modifications. Copyright Steve Clark.
47830 at Basingstoke on a Bournemouth to Ilford Drag, about to be overtaken by a Classmate. Copyright Steve Clark.
47830 at Poole on a Bournemouth to Ilford Drag. Copyright Steve Clark.
47813 at Brandon with a Norwich bound working with 90018 on the rear. Copyright Steve Clark.
47816 awaits its fate at Basford Hall. Copyright Steve Clark.
Many thanks indeed, Steve. I'm sure many of us have happy memories of these workhorses during their GW/FGW days. Nice to note that 47830 and 47813 still have mainline careers to this day.
More Porterbrook Purple
Roger Fletcher
Following on from some recent topics we've covered (47817), Roger has kindly sent in some photographs of another purple loco - 57601.
This loco was a demonstrater constructed by Brush Traction in 2001 ahead of the 57/3 and 57/6 program. It was on hire to First Great Western as a demonstrator and worked along the fleet of class 47/8's.
It obviously impressed, as it lead to the TOC ordering 57602, 603 and 604 for for use on their sleeper services. Later, as 57601 was deemed as non-standard, an additional locomotive (57605) was also ordered.
57601 remains in service with West Coast Railways and currently carries the 'Northern Belle' livery.
This loco was a demonstrater constructed by Brush Traction in 2001 ahead of the 57/3 and 57/6 program. It was on hire to First Great Western as a demonstrator and worked along the fleet of class 47/8's.
It obviously impressed, as it lead to the TOC ordering 57602, 603 and 604 for for use on their sleeper services. Later, as 57601 was deemed as non-standard, an additional locomotive (57605) was also ordered.
57601 remains in service with West Coast Railways and currently carries the 'Northern Belle' livery.
57601 calls at Bristol Temple Meads with a Paddington - Weston Super Mare service on 03.07.2002. Copyright Roger Fletcher.
A shot of 57601 departing Bristol Temple Meads for the west, showing the eyecatching and unique Porterbook livery with the locomotives number in large italic font down the sides. 03.07.2002, copyright Roger Fletcher.
Wonderful stuff, Roger and with perfect timing - your article compliments Steves above - 57601 being the locomotive which led to the disbandment of the FGW class 47 fleet.