Bachmann 32-801Y

Class & Prototype

The BR Class 47 or Brush Type 4 was Britain's most numerous mainline diesel locomotive, with 512 examples built between 1962-1968 by Brush Traction and BR Crewe Works. Powered by the reliable Sulzer 12LDA28C engine producing 2,580hp, these versatile Co-Co locomotives became the backbone of British Railways' mixed-traffic operations, equally capable of hauling InterCity expresses or heavy freight trains. Their distinctive angular bodywork and universal route availability made them ubiquitous across the entire BR network for over five decades. The class pioneered the TOPS sub-classification system with variants including 47/0 (steam heating), 47/3 (no heating), and 47/4 (electric heating). Despite modernisation, 76 locomotives still exist today with 32 preserved, while their success led to 33 being rebuilt as Class 57s. The Class 47 represents the ultimate achievement of pragmatic British diesel engineering - proving that reliability and versatility often triumph over complexity.

No prototype found.

Operator & Livery

British Rail (1965-1997) transformed Britain's railways through revolutionary modernisation, introducing the iconic double arrow logo, Rail Blue livery, and business sectorisation. BR pioneered high-speed rail with the InterCity 125 and Advanced Passenger Train, electrified major routes, and created profitable divisions like InterCity and Network SouthEast. From steam succession through diesel and electric development to privatisation preparation, British Rail's diverse locomotive fleet, multiple livery schemes, and operational scenarios provide unparalleled variety for railway modellers across all scales and periods.