Any Class 47's / 57's still operating on the Main Line?.
Discussion
When I started as a "Brakesman" (still proud of that title, we were known as then) 47's and 57's were commonplace, (I once was allowed to drive "Freightliner Bond 57007 out of the Railhead) and the Class 66 came in as the "New kid", eventually being standard equipment for the freight, along with the occasional 60 and now very seldom seen class 70 (not seen one for months - have they all been put onto Colas / FL Heavy Haul?), I asked an old hand Driver if there are any still in main line operation. He actually told me he'd not seen one around for at least a couple of years.
Now, I'm due a chunk of leave in July / Aug and wouldn't mind getting a few vids or pics of any that are operating still. I have a valid PTS (not that it really matters) but ideally the sound and sight of a 47 / 57 pulling a load up a slight bank would be awesome, if indeed any are still working.
Any suggestions are gratefully received, and if ever I'll share the pics / footage on here and on YT.
Cheers.
Now, I'm due a chunk of leave in July / Aug and wouldn't mind getting a few vids or pics of any that are operating still. I have a valid PTS (not that it really matters) but ideally the sound and sight of a 47 / 57 pulling a load up a slight bank would be awesome, if indeed any are still working.
Any suggestions are gratefully received, and if ever I'll share the pics / footage on here and on YT.
Cheers.
The 57s still have a regular gig with GWR on the Night Riviera sleeper, Paddington - Penzance and vice versa. Runs every night except Saturdays I believe.
Interesting one in that a 57 hauls the empty coaches from Reading depot into Paddington every night (since they closed Old Oak Common), with another 57 on the back end which then hauls the service down to the west country, with the original loco removed again at Reading on the way back out. The Up train does the same in reverse, 57 tagged on the back at Reading which then hauls it back out of Pad empties. The Up arrives in London just after 5 and leaves empties about 7.30, the Down leaves London at 23.45 for Penzance.
47s turn up regularly on charters, usually operated by West Coast Railways, either as the main haulage or as insurance for a steamer on the front, and one or two of the obscure little operators have been using them a fair bit on stock delivery/scrapping moves of late. Apart from the sleeper, 57s seem to have faded away somewhat, although I think West Coast have some in their fleet too.
The sleeper is definitely your best bet! Hope that helps!
Edited to add: if you're looking for haulage up gradients, heading down to the Devon banks to catch some shots of the sleeper tackling the hills is possibly your best shout; it'll be dark but at least it's summer! Dawlish sea wall is another interesting thought, not hilly but certainly photogenic. That also gives you the option of travelling on GWRs short "Castle" HST sets if that appeals, they do local services down in the west and extend as far afield as Bristol and Cardiff. There's also a couple of Crosscountry HST services daily, they're now the last full size ones on the network.
Railforums.co.uk is your resource if you want diagrams/schedules etc
Interesting one in that a 57 hauls the empty coaches from Reading depot into Paddington every night (since they closed Old Oak Common), with another 57 on the back end which then hauls the service down to the west country, with the original loco removed again at Reading on the way back out. The Up train does the same in reverse, 57 tagged on the back at Reading which then hauls it back out of Pad empties. The Up arrives in London just after 5 and leaves empties about 7.30, the Down leaves London at 23.45 for Penzance.
47s turn up regularly on charters, usually operated by West Coast Railways, either as the main haulage or as insurance for a steamer on the front, and one or two of the obscure little operators have been using them a fair bit on stock delivery/scrapping moves of late. Apart from the sleeper, 57s seem to have faded away somewhat, although I think West Coast have some in their fleet too.
The sleeper is definitely your best bet! Hope that helps!
Edited to add: if you're looking for haulage up gradients, heading down to the Devon banks to catch some shots of the sleeper tackling the hills is possibly your best shout; it'll be dark but at least it's summer! Dawlish sea wall is another interesting thought, not hilly but certainly photogenic. That also gives you the option of travelling on GWRs short "Castle" HST sets if that appeals, they do local services down in the west and extend as far afield as Bristol and Cardiff. There's also a couple of Crosscountry HST services daily, they're now the last full size ones on the network.
Railforums.co.uk is your resource if you want diagrams/schedules etc
Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 25th June 13:58
If you wanted to get closer then the Epping Ongar railway do Diesel days, won't be loaded but it does go up hill. YouTuber Squirrel did a video (clicky) of it when he had a go - Link for more info https://www.eorailway.co.uk/visit/experience-days/...
Thanks for the info chaps, looks like my 2 weeks off in August won't be wasted sat at home doing stuff after all!. big thanks also to BM Southerner for your suggestions mate, virtual beer to you for that one.
I've also got myself a secondhand Canon Legria to film it on.
Cheers again fellas, the best subforum of PH comes thru again.
I've also got myself a secondhand Canon Legria to film it on.
Cheers again fellas, the best subforum of PH comes thru again.
zoom star said:
We have a huge engine with a long nose pulling old carriages you have to lean out the doors to open them, carrying passengers from Rhymney to Cardiff here in wales.
I'm not into trains but the engine is massive, I live two miles from the station but you can hear it from my house.
Type 37?I'm not into trains but the engine is massive, I live two miles from the station but you can hear it from my house.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_3...
Quite a following
couzens said:
I've just seen a very tatty 56 hauling a couple of 73s and a 442 Wessex Electric, Presumably to Eastleigh. Any ideas who owns the 56? 73s were Gbrf.
GBRF bought a load of 56s for conversion into Class 69s, the first of which have just appeared. I'm not sure if they run any 56s in normal traffic though, certainly Colas do - it wasn't yellow and orange was it? GB certainly have an eclectic fleet, including two Class 50s in their current livery and a Class 66 nicely painted in BR large logo.Pics of stuff; (from t'internet, not mine), I particularly like the BR large logo efforts
Southerner said:
GBRF bought a load of 56s for conversion into Class 69s, the first of which have just appeared. I'm not sure if they run any 56s in normal traffic though, certainly Colas do - it wasn't yellow and orange was it? GB certainly have an eclectic fleet, including two Class 50s in their current livery and a Class 66 nicely painted in BR large logo.
Pics of stuff; (from t'internet, not mine), I particularly like the BR large logo efforts
Did a bit of Internet searching, it is indeed a Gbrf 56. The 73s had problems, so the 56 took over apparently. Pics of stuff; (from t'internet, not mine), I particularly like the BR large logo efforts
Funnily enough I then saw another running light engine the next day! No corporate logos but had a name plate. Seem to be common as muck!
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