47521 hauls a passenger service at Leamington Spa in May 1987. Photo by Steve Jones.
The Class 47s were the largest class of mainline diesel in the UK, with only the Class 08 having more numbers within diesel traction. 512 locomotives were built, although the class never consisted of 512 existent at the same time as some were written off before construction was complete. The order was split between Brush Traction at Loughborough and BR Workshops at Crewe. Most were delivered in BR two tone green livery but D1953 - D1961 were delivered in BR Blue and D1733 was delivered in an experimental ‘XP64’ blue livery. The locomotives were spread across most regions hauling everything from Express Passenger to freight trains.
The design proved to be a great success and the locomotives became a familiar sight across the country. Into the 1970s the locos gained full yellow ends on the green livery to aid visibility for trackside workers. Blue livery then followed for all locomotives that did not have it and the early 1980s saw all of the class unified in Blue with TOPS numbers. This was the only time the class has all carried the same livery at the same time.
Into the mid 1980s and the BR blue had been changed to include large logos and numbers with more yellow around the cabs. Stratford painted some of the class with grey roofs and this then opened the floodgates for more customisation.
As the 1980s closed, British Rail introduced ‘Sectors’ to help control certain traffic more effectively. This meant a lot of new liveries for the class, including the ‘Triple Grey’ colours with different logos representing the freight sectors. Parcels and engineers also got their own identities and Intercity got a radical overhaul to improve its image to the public.
The 1990s were a time of constant change. With BR entering shadow, then full privatisation, the locos had new colours emerging constantly with some interesting ‘celebrities’ also being repainted by new owners. The BR identity was not eliminated overnight though and many engines, mainly with freight operators, retained their colours though to withdrawal.
Privatisation brought new liveries but also saw a large scale cull of the engines as operators looked to cut costs by introducing new, more efficient rolling stock. Many have survived though and some have even seen modifications to see them operating for many years to come.
Information on this page has been sourced from, and with thanks to, the following: www.class47.co.uk, Simon Bendall and Russell Saxton.
47/0 |
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47/3 |
47/4 |
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47/6 47671 - 47677 - A short lived class in the 1990s with 47/4 given a higher rated ETH supply and better brake blocks for use on the Sleeper services to Scotland. Once this was disbanded, some were converted to 47/7 and others reverted to 47/4. |
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47/7 47721 - 47793 - Converted to work with PCV vehicles to propel into Royal Mail terminals (mainly Willesden PRDC). Some had modifications but never carried the new number. 47798 & 47799 - Dedicated Royal Train locomotives with extra communications equipment, higher maintenance standards and long range fuel tanks. |
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47/8 Locomotives refurbished and fitted with long range fuel tanks. 47801 - 47854. |
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47/9 When development of the Class 56 engine was complete, 47601 was converted again as a testbed for the Class 58 power unit and renumbered 47901. |
The Class 47 wore a number of different British Rail and depot emblems throughout its lifespan. To learn more about locomotive and rolling stock emblems from the Big Four period, right up to the end of British Rail, click HERE.
The guide below showcases every single livery and variation that the class carried across their lifespan - split by era. You can find links to products in OO, N & O gauge (if they have been produced) on the right hand side - click/ tap the icon to be taken to the product page where you may purchase a model in that livery or add it to your wishlist if it's currently unavailable.
British Rail Green (Eras 5 - 7)
British Rail Blue (Eras 6 - 9)
British Rail Sectors (Eras 8 - 9)
Era 9
Era 10
Era 11
Livery | Era(s) | |||
Locos: 47812, 47813, 47815 |
11 | |||
Loco: 47727 |
11 | |||
Loco: 47739 |
11 | |||
Locos: 47749 |
11 |
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