A busy moment ay South Moreton on 1 December 1983. 47302 heads east with the 8A27 09:00 Severn Tunnel Junction to Acton mixed freight, while Class 117 DMU L411 (51388, 59498 & 51346) does its best to get in the way with the 2A28 12:01 Paddington to Oxford 'all stations' service. In the distance the late running 1B68 12:05 Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads HST can just be seen approaching Didcot station. 47302 is a long way from home here, as at this time it was allocated to Thornaby.

47302 approaches was is now Cam & Dursley station, but at the time was merely the site of Coaley Junction, with the 9C04 14:54 Gloucester to Bristol East Depot departmental working on 17 April 1991. A welcome but slightly surprising choice of traction, as this train was booked for one of the local DCWA allocated locomotives. Tinsley's 47302 sports the original Railfreight livery with the addition of a red stripe. There were a number of permutations to this livery, but in addition to the larger white bodyside numbers, this loco also carries the Thornaby kingfisher logo, a reminder of its pre 1990 depot allocation. Not only was I lucky with the motive power, but also with the weather, as a brief patch of sunshine for once appeared exactly at the right moment!

The 4M99 15:58 Southampton to Trafford Park freightliner was in trouble on 17 June 1996 when 47345 failed. Red stripe liveried classmate 47302 was called upon to assist and the pair are pictured passing South Moreton in the late evening light. Presumably not the image Freightliner would like to portray, with not only a failed locomotive, but one that it is the then new corporate colours, being rescued by an exceedingly tatty and patch painted loco without any Freightliner branding.

In dramatic lighting in between heavy showers, 47304 heads north through Oxford with the 6M23 10:12 Fawley to Longport LPG tanks on 22 April 1986. Note the variety of traction visible in the background, with a HST heading towards the station and Class 117 DMU and Class 50 in the carriage sidings. The gate visible by the notices in the foreground is the location of my only sighting of a steam loco in BR service, when as a child I saw Sir Winston Churchill's funeral train en-route to Handborough in January 1965. My memories from that day are less of the train and more of playing on the edge of the stream in the foreground!

On 1 August 1990, 47305 rounds the sharp curve into the ICI works at Severnside at the end of its long all day journey with the 6V47 07:22 Haverton Hill to Severnside anhydrous ammonia. Despite appearances the train is actually approaching the photographer, although the headlight not being on and the red tail lamp don't give that impression! There obviously seemed little point in altering these, as the train has just traversed the Severn Beach line in the background and had to run round. This train was always instantly recognisable by the distinctive wagons, complete with barrier wagons at each end, and by the use of a Thornaby Class 47/3 (the Thornaby kingfisher logo can just be seen on the loco's side). Sadly it has been a very long time since a train traversed this track! Note the original Severn Bridge in the background.

47305 approaches Wolvercote Junction on 13 June 1994 with the 6M79 15:08 Eastleigh to Crewe Basford Hall MoD stores. A well loaded train on this occasion, and an almost completely uniform rake of wagons. The Trainload Petroleum livery is obviously wrong for this train, as would be the other versions of the triple grey livery that this loco at one time carried - Metals & Construction.

47305 crosses the Oxford Canal near Upper Heyford on 14 February 1995 with the 6V03 09:54 Fenny Compton to Didcot MoD Stores train. Not quite the perfect reflection I was hoping for, but shortly after this the wind speed increased, creating even more ripples, so I was lucky to get this. Just visible in the background is Heyford Common Lock.

Much has changed at Kingham since this picture was taken on 7 May 1989. The vintage bullhead track has been replaced, the bay platform in the foreground has been removed and the area converted into an extended car park, the open ground on the left in the background is now in industrial use, and the trees have grown considerably! 47309 heads south with ballast empties from Moreton-in-Marsh. Work had been taking place on the down line near Ascott-under-Wychwood and the train had to go to Moreton to run round.

An almost monochromatic scene at Stroud on 15 March 1996, as 47309 The Halewood Transmission passes through the station in the rain with the 6V27 10:35 Longbridge to Swindon Rover car body panel empties. Stroud station is still full of Great Western atmosphere, with the original Isambard Kingdom Brunel designed Cotswold stone buildings still surviving, having thankfully managed to get through the 1960s and 1970s without succumbing to rationalisation, and the all too common replacement with bus shelter type structures.

Despite the application of sundry alternative liveries, BR blue was still the dominant colour on the national network in mid 1980s. On 27 June 1986 47313 ambles along the Great Western mainline at Compton Beauchamp (between Didcot and Swindon) with a late running Wolverton to Stoke Gifford ARC stone empties.

During a brief sunny spell on 18 April 1991, 47313 heads north through Oxford with the 4M15 14:58 Morris Cowley to Longbridge Rover cars. Clearly visible on the left is the course of the old LNWR (later LMS) route into Oxford which ran parallel with the GWR line from what is now Oxford North Junction to its own station at Rewley Road adjacent to the Great Western's station.

Now this is what you call a proper train! With the wagons snaking round the reverse curve and out of sight into the distance, 47314 Transmark makes surprisingly light work of the climb to Harbury on 26 June 1991 with the 6V36 Longbridge to Morris Cowley car component empties. Of course the fact that the wagons are empty makes a big difference!

There was obviously a shortage of locomotives in the London area on 14 August 1980, as 47317 has been drafting in to work the 12:50 Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill service. Making a very rare visit to the Cotswold line, the 47/3 is pictured passing Shorthampton. Note the newly installed cable trunking on the left, which is about to make the steam age telegraph poles redundant.

47318 passes Milton Trading Estate with the 6B27 Theale to Robeston oil empties on 16 November 1988. Although sunny at this spot, the remains of the early morning fog is still hanging around over Didcot and virtually hiding Didcot Power Station, which would normally dominate the background here. Although partially obscured by steam from the cooling towers, the station's 650 feet tall chimney (in the centre of the picture) is all but invisible.

47323 was named Rover Group Quality Assured at the Swindon Rover Works on 23 February 1994. It is pictured here in the drizzling rain, specially posed with a Cargowaggon inside the Rover Works after the naming ceremony. 47323 lost its new name after a little over two years.

There is still frost on the ground as 47326 passes Millbrook on 30 November 1989 with the 6Y50 09:55 Totton (from Fawley) to Holybourne crude oil empties. Onshore oil production is normally associated with the Middle East or Texas, but this proves that we have got our own as well!

47326 Saltley Depot Quality Assured passes Shoreham (the Kent village, rather than the Sussex seaside town) with the 6O55 10:50 Wembley to Dollands Moor Connectrail service on 25 March 1995. Shoreham station can be seen in the background.

47327 passes the site of Bletchingdon station on 17 August 1988 with the 6O36 13:10 Kilnhurst to Fawley Esso bitumen empties. This Wednesdays only working would soon be stopping at Oxford for a crew change, and then after traveling only a few more miles, stopping again at Didcot East Junction for another crew change!

47334 passes through the centre road at Oxford on 5 July 1980 with the 1O03 07:21 Liverpool Lime Street to Poole. Apologies for the poor framing, but it caught me by surprise when I was not in an ideal place on the platform. However, a picture of a Class 47/3 hauled passenger train is always worth including, especially as it is not using the platform line.

During 1990 the 1M27 08:10 Bristol Temple Meads to Carlisle service was a good bet for a non ETH Class 47. Such was the case on 4 August when Railfreight red stripe liveried 47339 was in charge, seen here accelerating away from Cheltenham station. It was a very hot day, so definitely no heating was required and the coaches aren't air conditioned, so it makes no odds that the loco can't work either!

47344 arrives at the Rover car plant at Swindon on 13 June 1996 with the 6V09 04:20 Longbridge to Swindon car panel empties, comprising a complete rake of the then brand new cube wagons. The train is pictured diverging from the Great Western Mainline at Highworth Junction. The Rover works (formerly British Leyland and latterly BMW) shared this remaining stub of the Highworth Branch with a Shell oil depot (the line just visible in the immediate foreground) and Cooper's scrapyard. Unfortunately all this traffic is now lost to rail. Even 47344 is now no more, having being withdrawn in 1999 and cut up by the Harry Needle Railroad Company at Kingsbury in 2002.

An unusual working for a Freightliner Class 47/3 on 17 June 2000. 47345 approaches Wolvercote Junction with the 5M13 Weymouth to Liverpool Virgin CrossCountry ECS. On a hot summer's day it would certainly have been very unpopular traction if there actually had been passengers (apart from the haulage enthusiasts), as there is no way that 47345 can work the air conditioning and you can't open the windows on these Mk 2. coaches!

An unusual sight at Narroways Hill Junction, Bristol on 3 March 1994. There is just a single revenue earning wagon on the 6B19 09:40 Exeter Riverside to Alexander Dock Junction freight, but with three locos on the front. 47347 has 37229 & 37695 dead in tow. Definitely worth a picture, despite the grim weather conditions.

47348 St Christopher's Railway Home brings up the rear of the Hertfordshire Railtours 1Z33 07:18 Paddington to Long Marston 'Honey Monster' railtour on 29 July 1995, as it approaches Kineton Army depot. 33019 Griffon & 33057 Seagull can just be seen at the front of the train. Note the amount of rolling stock in store in the background at this time, which includes a number of withdrawn Southern EMUs. The triple high security fencing visible on the left explains why the site was chosen for secure storage!

Running twenty minutes late, 47348 St Christopher's Railway Home passes through Charlbury station on 29 July 1995 with the Hertfordshire Railtours 1Z33 07:18 Paddington to Long Marston 'Honey Monster' railtour. Class 47s were of course no stranger to this line in previous years, but not the no-heat 47/3 sub-class. In the 1990s the once relatively clear embankment on the right was becoming very overgrown, resulting in this fairly head on view. Thankfully these trees were pruned right back a few years later.

47348 St. Christopher's Railway Home approaches Radley on 11 July 1997 with the 6Z18 15:36 Eastleigh to Carlisle Enterprise service. Conveying just MoD traffic this train fluctuated considerably in length depending on our military commitments at the time. At this point we were in between Gulf Wars so this short formation was typical! This is not a particularly photogenic spot, but in this case the loco and first wagon neatly fit in the gap between the pylon and the electricity pole.

47348 St Christopher's Railway Home passes the south end of Hinksey Yard (near Oxford) with the 1O38 09:10 Edinburgh to Bournemouth Virgin Cross Country service on 14 August 1999. Just one of many Virgin trains that had to resort to freight loco haulage during 1998 and 1999 when the availability of the rostered Class 47/8s reached a low ebb.

Wearing the exceedingly unimaginative all over grey engineers livery that predates the 'Dutch' civil engineers colour scheme, 47352 passes Moira West Junction, on the Coalville Line with eastbound ballast empties on 23 October 1989. The switchback nature of the track here is caused by mining subsidence. The line on the right leads to Rawdon Colliery.

47353 passes Lock Wood, near Culham, on 30 May 1998 with the 4O30 12:47 Trafford Park to Southampton freightliner. The rear of the train is just passing over the bridge that spans the River Thames. Unfortunately this viewpoint has since disappeared with the increase in lineside vegetation.

47358 Ivanhoe approaches Wolvercote Junction on 27 June 1995 with the 4M99 15:58 Southampton to Trafford Park freightliner. At this time it was one of the few Class 47s still to retain the original railfreight livery, and it certainly looks to be in need of a repaint. The unofficial name Ivanhoe had been applied at Tinsley the previous year, but was relatively short lived, having been removed from the still unrepainted loco by 1996.

During the early 1990s the 6M79 15:08 Eastleigh to Crewe Basford Hall MoD stores train was often used to move surplus locomotives north from Didcot. Even so, this convoy pictured approaching Wolvercote Junction on 11 June 1992 is spectacular. 47359 leads 47301 Centurion, 37073 Fort William / An Gearasdan, & 47296 on a lengthy train. This train is basically a continuation of the old Speedlink service, which since the abandonment of the Speedlink wagonload network in 1991 became a dedicated military stores train.

A line of vintage telegraph poles still run alongside the Welsh Marches Line at Orleton on 18 June 1984, as 47362 heads north with the 6M27 02:40 Waterston to Albion Gulf oil tanks. Running exactly to time, but on the wrong day of the week! This picture is taken from Tunnel Lane, which refers to the former Leominster Canal Tunnel just out of sight to the right of this picture. Now however, it could equally well refer to the tunnel of trees alongside the line, which has rendered this viewpoint impossible.

Just dodging the encroaching shadows on 30 May 1989 at Wickwar Tunnel is 47362, heading into the light with the 6V47 07:22 Haverton Hill to Severnside anhydrous ammonia. A distinctive train, which was virtually always worked by a Thornaby Class 47/3 in the 1980s. The Thornaby kingfisher logo can just be seen above the bodyside number.

In failing light, 47362 heads south at Radley with a short train of commercial vehicles. I must appeal for help with the identification of this train, as I seem to have mislaid the details! As far as I remember it only ran for a short while in the 1991 period. Possibly Washwood Heath to Southampton? All information gratefully received. Passed Radley (near Oxford at 16:20).

47362 passes the lines of rusting ballast wagons in Hinksey Yard on 22 June 1998, as it heads north with the 6M18 15:36 Eastleigh to Carlisle 'Enterprise' service. This train was retained after the demise of the Speedlink network, principally for the conveyance of MoD traffic, which accounts for the vans at the head of the train.

47363 is less than a mile into its journey as it rounds the curve between Salisbury station and Fisherton Tunnel on 30 August 1998 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z28 07:57 Salisbury to Toton 'Toton Recall' railtour. This was one of a number of tours run in connection with the EWS Toton Open Day.

47363 takes the Reading line at Basingstoke with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z28 07:57 Salisbury to Toton 'Toton Recall' railtour on 30 August 1998. I had already seen this tour shortly after its departure from Salisbury, but as it was booked via Southampton, rather than the direct route via Andover, there was ample time to get ahead of it for this second picture.

Old and new liveries at South Moreton (Didcot East) on 24 October 1989. 47364 & 47256 head east with a short engineers train. Presumably 47256 is being moved dead in tow, as this miniscule load certainly does not require two locomotives, and in any case Class 47s are not fitted for multiple working.

47365 Diamond Jubilee passes Tackley with the 6E30 17:18 Eastleigh to Haverton Hill Speedlink on 19 June 1991, less than 3 weeks before the withdrawal of all Speedlink wagonload services in the UK. At 20:20 even in mid June it is difficult to find a location free from shadows, and I was getting worried here as the area of track in sun was rapidly shrinking, but luckily I managed to press the shutter at exactly the right moment as it appears that the sunlit area is exactly the same length as a Class 47!

47366 moves slowly over freshly laid track at Hanborough on 8 April 1984, as it heads back to Oxford with a motley rake of stock (including an ex GWR mess van at the rear of the train). It had been engaged in relaying work between Hanborough and Combe, and will shortly be followed by 47085, which can just be seen in the background. This will drop ballast on the newly laid track.

47368 passes Hargrave on 12 March 1987 with a Point of Ayr Colliery to Fiddlers Ferry Power Station MGR. A very misty day, with only weak sunshine, but plenty of interesting traffic, including the main reason for the visit - a last chance to photograph the few remaining Class 25s in their final week in traffic.

Virtually everything in this view has now changed beyond recognition. On 4 July 1991, during the final week of Speedlink wagonload freight operations, 47371 passes Didcot North Junction with the 6E30 17:18 Eastleigh to Haverton Hill Speedlink. In addition to the demise of this traditional mixed freight traffic, 47371 was later converted into a Class 57, as 57313 Thunderbirds Tracy Island, whilst the rural nature of this viewpoint has been replaced by an industrial estate on the right, and houses in the field behind the train. The pylons and the footbridge do remain however!

A very strange working is pictured passing Cholsey on 12 November 2007. 47375 & 47703 are working the 6Z50 11:35 Gloucester Horton Road to Wembley, comprising just a cargowagon and polybulk wagon! The low autumn sun certainly highlights the rather garish Riviera blue livery, which being clean rather shows up the filthy state of ex Fragonset liveried 47703.

Resistance is futile indeed, although resistance to what is not clear! Still in original unrestored Freightliner grey livery and minus its Freightliner 1995 nameplates, 47376 leads 47105 under the bridge at Southam on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway with the 11:30 Toddington to Cheltenham Racecourse service on 25 October 2003, during the line's Autumn Diesel Gala.

47376 Freightliner 1995 does its bit for the environment as it accelerates away from the speed restriction near Winchcombe, and rounds Chicken Curve at Greet with the 10:00 Winchcombe to Toddington train on 4 November 2006, during the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway's Diesel Gala. The use of a long lens here has not only brought up the hills in the background, but also emphasised the slightly undulated nature of the track!

47376 Freightliner 1995 has just passed under the Dixton bridge and is pictured approaching Gotherington with the 12:40 Toddington to Cheltenham Racecourse service on 5 November 2006. This was during the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway's Autumn Diesel Gala. Unlike the Saturday, the sunny weather on the Sunday did not last all day. Around midday the clouds started appearing and 47376 is just faintly illuminated by a the last of the sun as it disappears into high cloud.

47376 Freightliner 1995 passes Hailes, on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway with the 14:22 Toddington to Winchcombe freight on 5 November 2006, during the line's Autumn Diesel Gala. Although of course the 47/3 subclass were intended as purely freight machine, this is not quite the time of freight train that they spent most of their lives working!

In a brief and very luckily timed patch of sun (virtually the last of the day) 47376 Freightliner 1995 & 33109 Captain Bill Smith RNR are neatly framed by a couple of trees as they pass Dixton with the 13:35 Winchcombe to Cheltenham Racecourse service on 10 July 2009 during the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway's Diesel Gala. The 47 had just returned to service after overhaul and the Class 33 was visiting the line from the East Lancashire Railway.

In the gathering gloom on 10 July 2009, 47376 Freightliner 1995 arrives at Toddington station with final service of the day during the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway's Diesel Gala - the 17:50 train from Cheltenham Racecourse. Out of sight on the rear of the train is 33109. The day had been mainly given over to shunter operated trains, hence the presence of Drewry Class 04 look-alike 2574 on the right, which is wearing 1950s BR black livery along with the fictitious 11230 number.

47376 Freightliner 1995 arrives at Winchcombe with the 13:23 Gotherington to Toddington service on 23 May 2010. Due to a severe landslip near Gotherington, the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway has been forced to operate a top'n'tail service to Gotherington only. GWR Hall Class 4-6-0 7903 Foremarke Hall can just be seen on the rear of the train.

Running 45 minutes late due to a track circuit problem caused by the high temperatures, 47376 Freightliner 1995 departs from Winchcombe station with the 14:25 Toddington to Gotherington service on 23 May 2010. At least the late running has resulted in the sun being just about on the front! A landslip had closed the line to the south of Gotherington, and the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway was operating trains in top'n'tail mode. GWR 57xx 0-6-0PT 4612 is out of sight on the rear of this train, having just been removed from the Elegant Excursions special.

47376 Freightliner 1995 just catches the sun as it passes Dixton on 11 July 2010 with the 12:50 Toddington to Gotherington service, during the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway's Diesel Gala. Hiding behind the tree is visiting Class 25 D7612, which due to the landslip just the other side of Gotherington station, is working top'n'tail.

47376 Freightliner 1995 crosses Stanway Viaduct with the 10:25 Toddington Distant Signal to Gotherington service with classmate 47105 on the rear, during the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway's Diesel Gala on 2 October 2010. This marks the beginning of regular diesel hauled trains across the 1904 built structure, since it reopened to traffic in the spring. Unfortunately the early morning sun, which had successfully burnt off the fog, then decided to find some high cloud. Luckily it improved for the second train of the morning with 37248.

47376 Freightliner 1995 arrives at Toddington with the last train of the day during the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railways Diesel Gala on 9 July 2011. The 17:50 from Laverton is a few minutes early as it makes its way towards platform 2. 1693 (47105) is on the rear of the train.

A bonus picture during the EMRPS photo charter on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway on 28 January 2012.  47376 Freightliner 1995 was used to position 1693 and its train in Toddington station, resulting in this picture of the Freightliner loco posed rather untypically on a rake of vacuum braked ballast hoppers.

A fleeting moment at Toddington on 28 January 2012, during an EMRPS photo charter. While 1693 was being positioned in Toddington station on a rake of ballast wagons, for a moment during the shunting operations, 47376 Freightliner 1995 was posed alongside, giving the photographers who were in the right position this chance to photograph both of the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway's resident Class 47s.

With the very last rays of the setting sun just providing a little illumination, 47377 passes the site of Ashbury Crossing, near Shrivenham on 9 June 1987 with the 6V45 17:53 Willesden Brent to Severn Tunnel Junction Speedlink. Freight workings in Wales and the Gloucester area would be completely recast a few months after this picture was taken, with the closure of Severn Tunnel Junction Yard. The poor technical quality of this picture is due to the use of Kodachrome 200, to deal with the failing light. However, it is included as strangely (or perhaps not so given the time at which it ran) it is one of the few pictures I have of 6V45, and also for the variety of wagons in the consist.

Just a short distance into its long journey, 47377 approaches Southampton on 2 December 1998 with the 4M55 10:18 Southampton to Crewe Basford Hall freightliner. At this point the railway is sandwiched between the residential Cliff Road on the right, and the busy A33 Mountbatten Way dual carriageway, which can be seen crossing over the line in the background.

Hardly a worthwhile load and certainly not very taxing for a Class 47! 47378 passes Water Eaton (near Oxford) with a single VEA van as it works the 6A50 Bicester to Morris Cowley Speedlink trip working on 17 August 1988. The traffic levels on this service and its successor which is run exclusively for the Ministry of Defence fluctuate wildly, usually depending on what worldwide conflicts our politicians have got us into at any particular time!

47378 emerges from Sandling Tunnel with the 6M94 16:52 Dover Town to Warrington Arpley Speedlink on 2 June 1989. Present day sheep will have far less room to graze in this field now, as the Channel Tunnel high speed line now slices through the centre of this view, closely paralleling the existing line and completely altering this view. In fact, even the road bridge from which this picture was taken from has now gone, replaced by a new bridge a short distance further back.

47378 passes Overthorpe (near Banbury) on 14 June 1994 with the 4M99 17:14 Southampton to Trafford Park freightliner. Not a particularly inspiring location, but one that I found whilst searching out alternatives to the nearby over used Kings Sutton vantage point.

47379 passes Brimpton on 28 June 1991 with the 6L55 12:20 Westbury to Ripple Lane oil empties. The loaded train would have brought in the diesel fuel oil for Westbury's fleet of stone train locos. 47379 had been named Total Energy in 1986, and according to some sources the nameplates were removed in July 1991. However, at least on this side the plate had already gone some weeks before, although for some reason the Total logo still remains.