The last of the original 47/4 conversions, from 47650 to 47665, were fitted with extra fuel tanks, giving them an extended range.
Four earlier Class 47/4s were also converted.
In 1989 it was decided to make these locomotives easily recognisable and so they were renumbered into their own series from 47801 to 47820.
At the same time, further locomotives were fitted with extra fuel tanks and renumbered; the series eventually reached 47854.
After the privatisation of British Rail, the locomotives in the 47/8 number range were mainly used by Virgin CrossCountry on cross-country work until the introduction of Class 220 Voyager trains.
These duties have kept them maintained in serviceable condition, allowing them to remain operational longer than the majority of their classmates.
As a consequence most of them received relatively recent overhauls.
The locomotives in this number range are officially Class 47/4s under the TOPS system.
The last of the original 47/4 conversions, from 47650 to 47665, were fitted with extra fuel tanks, giving them an extended range. Four earlier Class 47/4s were also converted. In 1989 it was decided to make these locomotives easily recognisable and so they were renumbered into their own series from 47801 to 47820. At the same time, further locomotives were fitted with extra fuel tanks and renumbered; the series eventually reached 47854. After the privatisation of British Rail, the locomotives in the 47/8 number range were mainly used by Virgin CrossCountry on cross-country work until the introduction of Class 220 Voyager trains. These duties have kept them maintained in serviceable condition, allowing them to remain operational longer than the majority of their classmates. As a consequence most of them received relatively recent overhauls. The locomotives in this number range are officially Class 47/4s under the TOPS system.
British Rail Class 47