47002 Andover 9 March 1991

Extremely unusual motive power on the West of England line on 9 March 1991. 47002 Sea Eagle leaves Andover station with the 1L15 07:52 Waterloo to Salisbury Network SouthEast service. The booked locomotive (50036) had failed prior to departure, and the nearest available replacement was Tinsley's FDBT Railfreight Distribution reserve allocated 47002. So although the passengers had to make do with an unheated train, at least it ran, albeit 75 minutes late! This late running resulted in the stock staying at Salisbury, rather than working ECS to Southampton as booked, to form the 1V10 11:14 Southampton to Plymouth. This started from Salisbury, with a DMU filling in from Southampton. However, 47002's fun was over for the day, as 50018 took over 1V10. Although non ETH Class 47s did occasionally work on this route, the appearance of one of Tinsley's tatty unofficially named locos must be unique. Incidentally, 50036 was back in service two days later.