03 November 2023
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The new N gauge Class 47/7 No.47798 ‘Prince William’ model is being produced exclusively for Locomotion Models by Graham Farish.
The model features a die-cast chassis with all-wheel drive, NEM coupling pockets, and directional lighting, and is supplied with an accessory pack including cosmetic couplings and buffer beam pipework.
Stuart David Brown, Retail & Models Team Leader for Locomotion Models said “We are pleased to offer the first exclusive locomotive in the National Collection in Miniature N-Gauge series. The OO-gauge version of Prince William was first released by Locomotion Models in 2012 and proved extremely popular, so we are looking forward to the arrival of this iconic locomotive in N-Gauge and hope it will be equally as successful.”
Richard Proudman, Rail Brand Manager for Bachmann Europe said: “Bachmann has enjoyed a close relationship with the National Railway Museum and Locomotion Models for many years, indeed together we launched the National Collection in Miniature range with the Bachmann Branchline OO scale model of DP1, kickstarting a long and rewarding relationship. We are delighted that Locomotion Models has chosen to partner with Bachmann and our Graham Farish brand to launch its first-ever N scale model. This model of ‘Prince William’ is a fitting subject which takes full advantage of the new and upgraded Graham Farish Class 47.”
This exclusive model from Locomotion Models is available in standard DCC Ready and DCC Sound Fitted at £179.95 and £279.95 respectively and can be reserved with a deposit on the Locomotion Models website today, with delivery expected in December.
About the prototype
In the early 1970s, the Class 47 fleet underwent a renumbering process into the 47xxx series, with sub-classes created based on the specific electrical equipment fitted to each locomotive. Notably, two locomotives from the Class 47/7 sub-class, namely No.47798 ‘Firefly’ and No.47799 ‘Windsor Castle, were dedicated for Royal Train service and later renamed 'Prince William’ and 'Prince Henry' respectively. Their distinguished service continued until 2004 when they were succeeded by Class 67 locomotives, prompting their withdrawal for preservation. ‘Prince William’ is now part of the National Collection and is currently housed at the National Railway Museum in York.
The British Rail Class 47, also known as Brush Type 4 locomotives, stands as a testament to the ingenuity of railway engineering. Developed by Brush Traction in the 1960s, these diesel-electric engines have not only shaped the landscape of British rail transport but have also left an indelible mark on the history of locomotive manufacturing.
Between 1962 and 1968, a remarkable 512 Class 47 locomotives rolled off the production lines at Brush’s Falcon Works in Loughborough and British Railways Crewe Works. This impressive quantity awards these locomotives their status as the most numerous class of British mainline diesel locomotive ever produced.
The versatility of the Class 47s is reflected in their over 55 years of service, operating both freight and passenger duties on British rails. Even today, a significant number of these locomotives continue to operate on both mainline and heritage railways, showcasing their enduring reliability and adaptability.
The origins of the Class 47 can be traced back to the British Transport Commission's (BTC) 'Modernisation Plan' of 1954, which aimed to phase out steam locomotives from British Rails. The plan stipulated the need for a large build of Type 4 locomotives with an axle load not exceeding 19 tonnes. Four proposals were received, with the bid from the Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company, Associated Electrical Industries and Sulzer emerging as the preferred option. However, production was halted before prototypes could be assessed.
Subsequently, the BTC sought tenders for twenty locomotives of the new Type 4 specification, utilising the Brush electrical equipment originally intended for the cancelled prototypes. Brush was awarded the contract, and the success of the initial twenty locomotives led to an additional order of 270 units, culminating in the production of a total of 512 engines.
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