Bachmann Branchline 32-800DS Class 47/4 47404 'Hadrian' in BR Blue with Full Yellow Ends (DCC Sound Fitted)

LAST ONE IN STOCK.BOX A BIT SHABBY With directional lighting Towards the end of the 1950's British Railways began planning a second generation of diesel locomotives. After investigating several prototypes BR decided to place an order for 20 locomotives during February 1961 with Brush Engineering. The result was the iconic Brush Type 4 Diesel locomotive, a practical, versatile design with a very distinctive cab. Powered with a Sulzer engine, initially rated at 2750hp, and incorporating electrical equipment originally scheduled for the last batch of Class 46 (never built) the locomotive could manage a top speed of 75mph with tractive effort of 55000lb. Work commenced in January 1962 and the first locomotive D1500 appeared in late September the same year with test runs on the LMR and WR. The design was a success and BR went on to order a total of 512 with continuous production through to early 1967 forming the largest single class of main-line diesel locomotives in the UK. During this time and subsequent years several variations appeared with an increase in speed and tractive effort to 95mph and 62000lb respectively. Originally fitted with four character head-codes, these changed to marker lights, with the addition of high intensity lights and roof aerials in the late 1980's. Other variations involved the fitting of different forms of steam heating for early BR coaching stock to be replaced with ETH for use with modern rolling stock. The numbering system started with four figures but changed to five with the introduction of the TOP's coding system which saw the locomotives classified as Class 47 Diesels with variations such as 47/0, 47/2, 47/3, 47/4 and 47/7. By the end of the 1990's, half of the Class 47 fleet had been withdrawn or scrapped, 33 have been converted into Class 57 locomotives and several have been preserved, including the original D1500 now numbered 47401.