Design Classics: The Class 47

[Metroland]

It took until 1962 to get things on the right tracks. That year, working closely with BR's generally excellent Design Panel, the Falcon Works of Brush Traction at Loughborough built the first of what was to be the 512-strong Brush Type 4, or (from the early 1970s) Class 47 diesel-electric. A smoothly handsome machine, this new six-axle, 2,750hp, 95mph diesel-electric was a railway operator's dream. It could rush heavy express trains along at cracking speed uphill and down vale; it could pull long freight trains speedily and well. It was easy on maintenance, liked by crews, and, importantly, here was an all-purpose British diesel that looked truly, and gracefully modern without trying too hard, and owing nothing, in appearance, to US design practice.

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/art/2007/12/classics_of_everyday_design_no_28.html

 

[16CSVT2700]

Though nothing is mentioned about their engine not being able to cope with the pressures that were exerted by the mechanics.. and subsequently derated. Not to mention their inadequeacy of pulling anything more than their own bodyweight.
Ho-hum

 

[Jord]

They are ugly, sound nasty and also have pathetic horns!!!!

 

[16CSVT2700]

They sound like my stomach churning after too much junk food..

 

[class 313]

They are ugly, sound nasty and also have pathetic horns!!!!

From the one who worships 66s...

47s aren't ugly machines. Specially with the domino boxes. I admit there's better sounding locos (Class 37 of course). And the horn on spoons? Would we want any other? It makes the class unique. You hear it from round the corner you just know its a 47!

 

[Meld]

For me the 47 as built was a masterpiece, No hood, No Bulbous nose, smooth lines. Two tone green as originally applied looked outstanding. A jack of all trades and a master of most.

However, that being said, it still really pi$$ed me off when covering for a Deltic

 

[class 313]

A jack of all trades and a master of most.

Wasn't the 37 also known for this? Doing both Passenger and Freight.

 

[ChrisCooper]

The 37 and the 47 are both very successful locos and capable of a wide variety of services, and both types are still going strong today. The 47 does have the edge in terms of power and top speed though, and arguably looks (particularly as the 47 looks faster and more powerful, and much more at home at the head of a heavy freight or an express passenger). The 37s had to operate on their own on services a single 47 could handle, and with the exception of early life on the GEML, have always been more regional passenger locos rarther than express. Of cource, the 37s big advantage was route availability, being able to run to so many places where 47s and other locos could not. Neither type has really been directly replaced, although to a large extent both types have been superceeded. Of cource, another thing with both types is that they will probably for ever hold the spot as the finest mixed traffic diesel locos ever to run in the UK, since it's unlikely any more will ever be built (the 67 is the only mixed traffic diesel to follow, yet it's only a shadow of the 37s and 47s in they heyday).