‘Pride of fleet’ heritage locomotive celebrates 30 years’ service

A volunteer-run heritage railway is celebrating one of their diesel locomotives reaching 30 years in preservation service.

The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway, based in Cheltenham, is marking the anniversary of its resident Brush Type 4 / British Rail Class 47 diesel-electric locomotive – No. 47105 (D1693).

The popular Cotswold-based locomotive was put into preservation service in May 1994.

Nigel Antolić, chairman of Brush Type 4 Fund, which owns the locomotive, said: “The success we have enjoyed over the last 30 years is largely down to a small band of volunteers.”

Mr Antolić added that volunteers, led by chief engineer Tim Leverton, had spent “many hours of their lives ensuring this loco is the pride of the fleet”.

The locomotive, also known as a British Rail (BR) Blue “47”, has worked longer in preservation than it did during its career with BR.

“The Brush Type 4 was popular with train crews the length and breadth of Britain, with the locos well up to the tasks that were put their way.

“However, because of their sheer numbers, they were never a massive hit with enthusiasts due to their propensity to turn up anywhere – on anything!

“However, even their most ardent haters have a begrudging respect for them,” Mr Antolić said.

The Type 4’s anniversary was reached in May, just two months before the start of the railway’s annual summer heritage diesel gala in July.

The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway said its preservation was a “testament to the tireless efforts” by The Brush Type 4 Fund and the railway’s locomotive department.

The locomotive is owned by The Brush Type 4 Fund and was built by Brush Electrical Machines Ltd at its Falcon Works in Loughborough in 1963.

The locomotive first came out for British Rail in December 1963 and was withdrawn from service in December 1993.

It had served all over, including in the Bristol area and in Birmingham.

It will be in service during the summer diesel gala alongside sister Class 47 No. 47376.