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Black 5's v Class 47 usage

Discussion in 'Steam Traction' started by lappinp, May 2, 2011.

  1. lappinp

    lappinp New Member

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    I had just been thinking that this extended Royal Wedding weekend has seen a lot of Black 5's in use on both the mainline and preserved lines and also a number of 47s in use on charters. I wonder if we had more Black 5's in use across the country than 47 which is interesting considering both were some of the most numerous engines of their respective era. I havent tried to do a count but I am sure someone could work this out.
     
    lappinp, May 2, 2011
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  2. Spamcan55

    Spamcan55 New Member

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    A class 47 was in use on the North Norfolk on Sunday morning once they'd realised the foundation ring on the Pannier L99 was leaking loads of water and was failed on shed. Replaced at lunchtime by the 5600.
     
    Spamcan55, May 2, 2011
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  3. Steve from GWR

    Steve from GWR Well-Known Member

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    According to this Wikipedia page, there were still 99 class 47's in existence towards the end of 2010. It also gives a link to the list of those owned by heritage lines, some 30-odd.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_47

    There are 18 preserved Black 5's
     
    Steve from GWR, May 3, 2011
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  4. Hunslets Finest

    Hunslets Finest Well-Known Member

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    http://sulzerpower.com/news.html

    There were 12 Brush out over the weekend undertaking lots of high mileage running to locations as diverse as Penzance, Kyle, Fort Bill and Great Yarmouth.
     
    Hunslets Finest, May 3, 2011
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  5. lappinp

    lappinp New Member

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    Thanks guys for the responses, do we know how many of the 18 preserved Black 5's were running at the weekend although I would be surprised if it was more than the 12 Brush.
     
    lappinp, May 3, 2011
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  6. Bean-counter

    Bean-counter Part of the furniture

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    As it happens, a guard's van somewhere in North Yorkshire was the scene of a desparate attempt to get to 11 as the total number of "Black Fives" currently in ticket on Saturday - we got there but that included 44767 which definitely wasn't running Friday to Monday. 44871, 45212, 45407 and 45428 all were.

    The others (from our reckoning) 44806, 44932, 45231, 45305, 45337 and 45379. The only one I can tell for certain was running was 45305 - and I would be pretty sure that 44932 and 45231 didn't, so I am afraid that Class 47s achieved a "win" by quite a margin - at least 12 plays no more than 8. That said, Class 47s do cheat by going around in pairs! (Quitely ignores 11:30 and 12:30 ex-Picker8ing and 13:00 and 14:00 ex Pickering and what was operating them on Saturday!)

    Maybe this coming weekend may give the Black fives a chance. 45231 and 45305 are in action but I think 44932 won't be seeing use from current plans.

    Steven
     
    Bean-counter, May 4, 2011
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