This year marks 30 years in preservation service for one of the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway’s locomotives.
The Brush Type 4 / British Rail Class 47 diesel No.47105, saved for preservation by ‘Brush Type 4 Fund’ in January 1994, has reached a historic milestone.
It has been operating in preservation longer than it served with British Rail.
The anniversary was reached in May 2024, ahead of the railway’s annual Summer Heritage Diesel Gala coming up in mid-July.
The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway’s diesel locomotive department and The Brush Type 4 Fund have worked tirelessly to maintain the locomotive.
Built by Brush Electrical Machines Ltd at its Falcon Works in Loughborough in 1963, the engine has an interesting history.
It was accepted into service with British Rail in December 1963.
A series of reallocations followed, before steam heat provision was added in April 1986.
The engine earned the unofficial name "Goldcrest" in November 1987.
Following 30 years of British Rail service, No. 47105 was purchased for preservation on January, 24 1994.
After undergoing significant refurbishment work, the locomotive returned to passenger service on the 16th July 2021 following a comprehensive 10-year overhaul at Toddington.
The ‘Brush Type 4 Fund’ even took the British Rail Class 47 locomotive No. 47375 to Hungary for a successful charter train tour, proving the far-reaching appeal of these iconic engines.
No. 47105 is due to run during the 2024 summer diesel gala, alongside sister Class 47 No. 47376.
It will also join the railway’s popular 'Double Up Sunday' event on Sunday, August 4 to celebrate 30 years since the locomotive first operated on the GWR.
Tickets are available on the GWR website www.gwsr.com.
Tickets for the summer diesel gala are also available online.
The agenda includes an action-packed timetable with eight diesel locomotives and a diesel multiple unit (DMU) running, besides rare opportunity for behind-the-scenes visits to the workshops and glimpses into the picturesque period stations.
The sound of a 2,580 bhp Sulzer 12LDA28-C diesel engine roaring through Greet Tunnel is a treat no enthusiast would want to miss.
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