Anoraks, duffel bags and Duffs
Steam haulage may have ceased a few years earlier on British Rail, but modern traction still had its own allure as young enthusiasts cluster around an arriving southbound train at Doncaster station. The object of their attention is Brush Type 4 D1576, still in two-tone green livery. New in 1964, the locomotive was originally allocated to Gateshead depot (52A, later GD). It later carried the TOPS number 47 456.
During the course of the 1970s, the Class 47s lost favour among many in the rail enthusiast fraternity, gaining the unkind nickname of ‘Duffs’. Other diesel locomotives were more charismatic, Class 47s were deemed less so.
I can’t remember if I deliberately stood aloof from this group here: I was a few years older, and while always being enthralled by trains, I was never an actual trainspotter - it’s quite fortuitous than I can read the D1576 number in this instance. Nor did I ever possess an anorak or duffel bag, for so long items that were associated with rail enthusiasts and in evidence here.
It is a sobering thought that these boys are now ready to claim their pensions and senior citizens’ travel cards. I would love to know how many have kept up their interest and even uploaded their own pix on Flickr.
Class 47s have endured these many years too. Not so D1576: it was withdrawn in 1991 and scrapped two years later.
October 1970
Boots Instamatic camera
Gratispool colour slide film.
Anoraks, duffel bags and Duffs
Steam haulage may have ceased a few years earlier on British Rail, but modern traction still had its own allure as young enthusiasts cluster around an arriving southbound train at Doncaster station. The object of their attention is Brush Type 4 D1576, still in two-tone green livery. New in 1964, the locomotive was originally allocated to Gateshead depot (52A, later GD). It later carried the TOPS number 47 456.
During the course of the 1970s, the Class 47s lost favour among many in the rail enthusiast fraternity, gaining the unkind nickname of ‘Duffs’. Other diesel locomotives were more charismatic, Class 47s were deemed less so.
I can’t remember if I deliberately stood aloof from this group here: I was a few years older, and while always being enthralled by trains, I was never an actual trainspotter - it’s quite fortuitous than I can read the D1576 number in this instance. Nor did I ever possess an anorak or duffel bag, for so long items that were associated with rail enthusiasts and in evidence here.
It is a sobering thought that these boys are now ready to claim their pensions and senior citizens’ travel cards. I would love to know how many have kept up their interest and even uploaded their own pix on Flickr.
Class 47s have endured these many years too. Not so D1576: it was withdrawn in 1991 and scrapped two years later.
October 1970
Boots Instamatic camera
Gratispool colour slide film.