47459 Patchway 17 December 1983

47459 has full power applied, as it hauls its lengthy train of vans up the gradient form Patchway Tunnel on 17 December 1983. It is working the 3A12 08:55 Carmarthen to Old Oak Common empty newspaper vans. Note the difference in gradient between the two lines in the background, as they separate to approach the twin single bores of Patchway Tunnel on very different alignments. This photo is taken from the very end of Patchway station platform.