Jump to content
 

Modelling 47235 in 1980s blue


Grampus
 Share

Recommended Posts

Afternoon all,

 

                        I would like to model an early 1980s Western Region-allocated 47 as I remember them, running through Salisbury, day in-day out, on stone, oil and MOD traffic: tired-looking BR blue and workaday dirty.   Inspired by Rivercider's smashing photo of 47235 at Salisbury on MOD traffic in the early 1980s here:  https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5495/11855823335_ea1064d893_b.jpg

 I decided on that one since it was one of the CF-allocated examples that turned up with regular (then monotonous) regularity.  I particularly like the numbers above the  cab windscreens to give it just a touch of individuality.  Fond, rose-tinted memories now, but in truth, back in the day, I never took a huge amount of notice of them.   One 47 looked much like another, though I was always impressed by the sheer size of them, particularly when viewed at ground level from the adjoining car park ( - and the odd, occasional 'clunking' noise they made as they cooled down.)

 

                      There are plenty of other photos of said loco on the net, showing both ends.  It looks to be fairly typical, with plated headcodes and the additional headlight.  My question is ( - got there eventually!) was there anything unusual about this particular example?  Also the inevitable one, I'm afraid: which would be the best Bachmann example from which to start?  As a non-47 specialist, I am slightly overwhelmed by the sheer number which have been released in all sorts of flavours.   I am happy to paint-strip and detail/re-spray as required, but clearly I would like to pick the closest example as a starting point.  I know there were some issues with early ones which featured 57 details such as riveted windscreens and additional cabling on the bogies, plus occasional ride issues.   Would the steam heating boiler outlet have been plated over by that time?

 

                     Grateful for any advice, please.  Many thanks, 

 

Paul

 

 

Link to post
Share on other sites

I would suggest two things, the website class47.co.uk which has a wealth of information on individual locos and the book Class 47 50 Years of Locomotive History that came out in 2012 which is a reference work on the class.

  • Thanks 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Great, 

  

             thanks for the steers: the website is particularly useful.  I now know that the loco was fitted with a Clayton boiler originally, and from what I can see from various photos, the outlet was plated over by the time I am interested in.  It appears to be in pretty much stock condition, so fits my requirements nicely.  Sad to see it  was involved in an accident later on and cut by 1990.  

 

               I would still appreciate folks' thoughts on which Bachmann 47 would be the most appropriate starting point (though of course availability is also a factor). 

 

Happy modelling  and best wishes, 

 

Paul 

 

Edited by Grampus
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Hi Paul.

Id probably use the current model of 47001. It’s BR blue 70s/ 80s, has plated over each end and an original boiler port.

 

issue - no headlight , so either a replica railways one or adapt a replica one to work. ( Kevin’s picture is 1985 so for truly early 80s it wouldn’t have had the headlight ). If you want to get rid of the boiler port, shawplan do blanking plates of all varieties .

 

the earliest release of 001 had the old inacccuarate fuel tanks, try and get one that had the later ones , although these are available as a spare from Bachmann for a fiver.

 

 

steer clear of the original BR blue TOPs one ( 47035 ) as had unusual marker lights each end and incorrect class 57 bogies .

  • Thanks 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...