Class 47 locomotives were introduced to British Rail from 1962 onwards and eventually reached over 500 in total. In Scotland, they were allocated to Haymarket depot, Edinburgh, and later to Inverness and Eastfield depot, north of Glasgow. They became known as a jack-of-all-trade-type locomotive and could be seen hauling anything from small freight trains to the more prestigious passenger workings. In later years they also worked between Glasgow Queen Street and Edinburgh. These particular trains were known as the ‘Push Pulls’ as the Class 47 could be driven from a DBSO coach which saved valuable time at terminal stations. They were also utilised on royal trains and have worked charters to Fort William, Mallaig and Kyle of Lochalsh. Class 47 locomotives received many upgrades over the years including the fitting of ETS (Electric Train Supply) for heating and lighting to work with more advanced coaching stock. These locomotives worked all over Scotland and some are now preserved at various heritage lines. 

With fascinating images and informative captions, Colin Howat documents the Class 47 locomotive from the late 1960s into the BR era and through to privatisation and beyond. 

Colin J. Howat has lived in Ayrshire all his life. He has worked within the rail industry for many years, and has a diploma in photography.