British Rail Class 47

Brush Type 4 British Rail Class 47
A Class 47 at Birmingham New Street in 1987
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder Brush Traction British Rail Crewe Works Build date 1962–1968 Total produced 512
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC Co′Co′  • Commonwealth 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; 125 short tons) to 125 long tons (127 t; 140 short tons) 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 or TDM Train heating 47/0: Steam generator 47/3: None 47/4: Electric Train Heat Train brakes Vacuum, Air, or Dual
Performance figures Maximum speed 75 mph (121 km/h) or 95 mph (153 km/h) 100 mph (160 km/h) [47/7] 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 Operators British Rail English Welsh & Scottish Colas Rail Direct Rail Services GB Railfreight Harry Needle Railroad Company Riviera Trains West Coast Railways Rail Operations Group Numbers D1500–D1999, D1100–D1111 later 47 001–47 981 Axle load class Route availability 6 or 7 Withdrawn 1965 (2), 1969 (1), 1971 (1), 1980 (1), 1986–present Disposition 32 preserved, 33 converted to Class 57, 51 still in service, remainder scrapped

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

They were fitted with the Sulzer 12LDA28C twin-bank twelve-cylinder unit producing 2,750 bhp (2,050 kW) – though this was later derated to 2,580 bhp (1,920 kW) to improve reliability – and have been used on both passenger and freight trains on Britain's railways for over 55 years. Despite the introduction of more modern types of traction, a significant number are still in use, both on the mainline and on heritage railways.

As of July 2024^[update], 76 locomotives still exist as Class 47s, including 32 which have been preserved. 31 locomotives, including six which are preserved, retain mainline running certificates. A further 33 locomotives were converted to Class 57s between 1998 and 2004.