47163_1976_04_Nuneaton
Stratford allocated 47163 is stabled in the Down yard at Nuneaton, 7th April 1976.
Locomotive History
47163 was built by Brush, Loughborough as D1757 in 1964 and was the last Loughborough built class 47 to be built with vacuum train brakes only with the next locomotive on the Loughborough production line, D1758 being fitted with dual (air/vacuum) train brakes. The first Crewe built locomotive to be dual brake fitted from new was D1631 two months later. D1757 would have an interesting career and is still in existence. Intially allocated to the Western Region (Cardiff followed by spells at Landore and Bristol) it transferred to Stratford in December 1970. The Queen’s Silver Jubilee year of 1977 proved to be an eventful year for 47163 initially starting very well when, along with 47164 it was adorned with large Union Jacks on the bodysides as a part of the Silver Jubilee celebrations. However the year ended in disaster when in December 1977 it was involved in a collision with 83004 near Kensal Green Tunnel in north west London. 83004 was so seriously damaged that it was withdrawn from service immediately. The number 2 end of 47163 was severely damaged, both by the collision, and a subsequent fire, and it was on decision for a long time before repairs were eventually sanctioned and it was released back into traffic almost 2 years later, minus its Union Jacks. In October 1980 it transferred to York followed by a move to Tinsley before heading north to Scotland (Haymarket followed by Eastfield) in June 1981. Its next major change came in April 1984 when it emerged from Crewe works fitted with electric train heating equipment and renumbered 47610. It was transferred to the London Midland Region (Crewe with a spell at Bescot) in May 1985. Its next change was in April 1989 when it was fitted with twin fuel tanks, renumbered 47823 and transferred to Bristol. Transferred back to Crewe in March 1994 it was renumbered 47787 in October 1994 when fitted with remote control equipment for use parcel trains with driving trailers (PCV’s) and it settled down as a Crewe engine until transferred to Toton in January 2004 and was withdrawn nearly six months later in June 2004. Following withdrawal it was sold the West Coast Railway Company who overhauled and reinstated 47787 to traffic in August 2007 for charter train duties. It is currently (April 2015) still with the West Coast Railway Company however is stored unserviceable.
47163_1976_04_Nuneaton
Stratford allocated 47163 is stabled in the Down yard at Nuneaton, 7th April 1976.
Locomotive History
47163 was built by Brush, Loughborough as D1757 in 1964 and was the last Loughborough built class 47 to be built with vacuum train brakes only with the next locomotive on the Loughborough production line, D1758 being fitted with dual (air/vacuum) train brakes. The first Crewe built locomotive to be dual brake fitted from new was D1631 two months later. D1757 would have an interesting career and is still in existence. Intially allocated to the Western Region (Cardiff followed by spells at Landore and Bristol) it transferred to Stratford in December 1970. The Queen’s Silver Jubilee year of 1977 proved to be an eventful year for 47163 initially starting very well when, along with 47164 it was adorned with large Union Jacks on the bodysides as a part of the Silver Jubilee celebrations. However the year ended in disaster when in December 1977 it was involved in a collision with 83004 near Kensal Green Tunnel in north west London. 83004 was so seriously damaged that it was withdrawn from service immediately. The number 2 end of 47163 was severely damaged, both by the collision, and a subsequent fire, and it was on decision for a long time before repairs were eventually sanctioned and it was released back into traffic almost 2 years later, minus its Union Jacks. In October 1980 it transferred to York followed by a move to Tinsley before heading north to Scotland (Haymarket followed by Eastfield) in June 1981. Its next major change came in April 1984 when it emerged from Crewe works fitted with electric train heating equipment and renumbered 47610. It was transferred to the London Midland Region (Crewe with a spell at Bescot) in May 1985. Its next change was in April 1989 when it was fitted with twin fuel tanks, renumbered 47823 and transferred to Bristol. Transferred back to Crewe in March 1994 it was renumbered 47787 in October 1994 when fitted with remote control equipment for use parcel trains with driving trailers (PCV’s) and it settled down as a Crewe engine until transferred to Toton in January 2004 and was withdrawn nearly six months later in June 2004. Following withdrawal it was sold the West Coast Railway Company who overhauled and reinstated 47787 to traffic in August 2007 for charter train duties. It is currently (April 2015) still with the West Coast Railway Company however is stored unserviceable.