The BR modernisation plan of 1955 envisaged the replacement of steam traction with diesel and electric locos by around 1975. Chief among the requirements was a loco more powerful than the 2,000-hp locos that had been produced before then. The Sulzer Company in Switzerland were able to provide an engine of 2,300 hp, which was used in the Class 44. An updated 2,500-hp version was used in classes 45 and 46. There were 127 of these locos built at Crewe and Derby between 1960 and 1962, but they were overweight so a lighter co-design that would become Class 47 was developed using an uprated Sulzer engine producing 2,750 hp. A total of 512 of these were built between 1962 and 1966. This book of mostly unpublished colour photographs by George Woods shows the locos in service from 1966 to 2019, working many different types of traffic throughout the BR system.

About the Author
George Woods has been photographing trains since 1959. He made the change from black and white to colour slides in 1966 before going digital in 2004 having amassed around 30,000 slides.

Reviews
'Image quality is high, and there's much to inspire.' -- Model Rail Magazine, September 2023
'Once again with this publisher, there is a detailed introduction by the author followed by an album of two-to-a-page quality photographs - including many at scenic locations - of the Peaks and 47s at work all over the UK.' -- West Highland News, Autumn 2023



Book Information
ISBN 9781398101975
Author George Woods
Format Paperback
Page Count 96
Imprint Amberley Publishing
Publisher Amberley Publishing
Weight(grams) 275g