British Rail Class 47

The British Rail Class 47 (Originally Brush Type 4) is a class of British railway diesel-electric locomotive that was developed in the 1960s by Brush Traction. A total of 512 Class 47s were built at Crewe Works and Brush's Falcon Works, Loughborough between 1962 and 1968, which made them the most numerous class of British mainline diesel locomotive.

Brush Type 4 British Rail Class 47
Two Class 47s, Nos. 47424 and 47607, at Bangor station with a passenger train in 1987
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder Brush Traction and British Railways’ Crewe Works Build date 1963–1968 Total produced 512
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte Co-Co  • UIC Co'Co' Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Wheel diameter 3 ft 9 in (1.143 m) Wheelbase 51 ft 6 in (15.70 m) Length 63 ft 7 in (19.38 m) Width 8 ft 10 in (2.69 m) Height 12 ft 9+1⁄2 in (3.90 m) Loco weight 112 long tons (114 t) to 125 long tons (127 t) Fuel capacity 850 imp gal (3,900 L; 1,020 US gal) Prime mover Sulzer 12LDA28-C MU working Not fitted when built. Some now retrofitted with ● Green Circle Train heating 47/0: Steam generator 47/3: None 47/4: Electric Train Heat Train brakes Vacuum, Air, or dual
Performance figures Top speed 75 mph (121 km/h) or 100 mph (160 km/h) Power output Engine: originally 2,750 bhp (2,050 kW), later derated to 2,580 bhp (1,920 kW) Tractive effort Maximum: 55,000 lbf (245 kN) to 60,000 lbf (267 kN) Brakeforce 61 long tons-force (608 kN)
Career Railroad(s) British Railways Number D1500–D1999, D1100–D1111; later 47001–47981 Axle load class Route availability 6 or 7

They were fitted with the Sulzer 12LDA28C twelve-cylinder diesel engine producing 2,750 bhp (2,050 kW) (later derated to 2580 bhp to improve reliability), and have been used on both passenger and freight trains on Britain's railways for over 40 years. Despite the introduction of more modern types of traction, as of 2008 a significant number are still in use, both on the mainline and on heritage railways. As of December 2008, 103 locomotives still exist, with 29 working on the mainline.