47/9

Can anybody tell me what makes a 47/9 a 47/9? 9's were normally experimental locos so I'm guessing something was different.

 

The original 47901 was a test bed for the class 58, and previous to this also a Class 56 test bed.
It used to work regularly from Westbury Depot in the 1980's amongst the class 56 pool, and definitely didnt sound like a 47 !
despite some reports, as a kid who frequented Westbury regularly, I recall it was saw frequent use and was a popular locomotive, and seen as a "strong" 47, but I would imagine maintenace costs would be high, it netherless lasted 20 years as a one off !

Numbers carried are:

D1628 1964
47046 1973
47601 1975
47901 1979

It was later scrapped in 1992.

There was a second round of 47/9's in the mid-1990's these were for the Railway Technical Services devision for engineers workings, and I dont think beyond paint schemes there was anything distinct about them, apart from being old, high on engine hours and knackered. These same 47's 97472, 97480, 97545 and 97561 were a straight renumber from their 47 series number, and three later were renumbered to 47971-3. 97561 carried Midland Railway maroon.

 

And here's a couple of photos of 47901.....

http://www.keithmiller.fotopic.net/p43591104.html

http://www.keithmiller.fotopic.net/p39719037.html


Keith

Have a look at all my videos at:
http://www.youtube.com/hemerdonbank

or some archive photos at:
http://www.keithmiller.fotopic.net/

or a few more recent photos at:
http://www.hemerdonbank.fotopic.net/

 

Yep; when my son declared he had just seen 47981, I stated "But they don't go that high", then I saw it myself.

 

47981 was a renumber from 47364

D1883 1965
47364 1974
47981 1993

Scrapped Wigan Springs Branch 2000

 

One of the first 47 renumbers, was 47216..

In 1981 a clairvoyant predicted an engine with the number 47216 would be involved in a fatal accident whilst hauling a tank train, and managed to spook the BR management into renumbering the engine to 47299 as many drivers became afraid of driving it.
Two years later 47299 was involved in a fatal accident at Barnetby strangely enough on a tank train.

 

Full story here... http://www.angelfire.com/mn2/Oubliette/47299.html