With the benefit of hindsight not enough attention was paid to future needs in the specification which perhaps relied too much on the status quo therefore requiring future modifications. Whilst the first 20 were built with ETH subsequent constructions did not. Also subsequent modifications were required to provide air/dual braking for freight and Mk2 coaches. It is in these respects that the contemporary - and Southern's exclusive (at the time) - BRCW type 3 (class 33) was more far sighted. The class was plagued by unreliability in its early days. The choice of the uprated Sulzer prime mover proved to be a mistake. There were problems with the fabricated crankcases and internal joints which required rewelding and rebalancing. These measures led ultimately to a reduction of engine speed and maximum engine output. There were also problems with fractures and traction motor fires in the well proven but heavyweight manganese cast steel Commonwealth bogies. However the major problems were resolved by 1969 and the class settled down to become the mainstay of the type 4 diesel electric fleet for over three decades. |
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47716 was named Duke of Edinburgh's Award by the Duke at
Edinburgh's Waverley Station on 1 July 1985. This particular loco was
de-named in April 1994 though the name was transferred later in the year back
to another Scotrail 47 - 47727.
photograph by Jonathan Hall |
| An unidentified 47/7 on a west of England working during the
final days of loco haulage.
photograph by Jonathan Hall |
 |
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Still in RES livery EWS 47778 brings in stock for an Hertforshire Railtour
into Victoria on 28 April 2001.
photograph by Colin Duff |
| 47798 Prince William is one of the two class 47s
dedicated by EWS to Royal Train duties. It was named without ceremony
upon the loco's conversion to type 47/7 in July 1995.
photograph by Colin Duff |
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This page was last updated 3 December 2002
