An iconic 1980s-era passenger locomotive has been repainted in traditional BR ScotRail livery.
The Brush-built Type 4 diesel has been given considerable attention by members of the Crewe Diesel Preservation Group (CDPG) since its purchase in 2013, after becoming surplus to Direct Rail Services requirements.
The class 47/7 diesel 47712, which once carried Lady Diana Spencer nameplates, is now back in the ScotRail livery that it carried during its time working Edinburgh-Glasgow push-pull services.
The 120-tonne, 100 mph machine has been given considerable attention by its four owners since its acquisition in 2013. The loco has latterly provided traction for the Polar Express charters on the Weardale Railway. It was here, during down-time, that the opportunity was taken to overhaul numerous components and make cosmetic improvements with the help of Weardale Railway volunteers.
The repainting was undertaken by RMS Locotec’s Wolsingham workshop – the first such job done for an external customer.
Brian Bailey, Antony Proudlove, Andy Quayle and Jon Rawlinson – all railwaymen based in the Crewe area – are now actively seeking invitations for a revitalised No. 47712 to attend and perform at preservation centres and open days.
Originally numbered D1948, the locomotive entered traffic in August 1966 before being fitted with electric train heat equipment and renumbered 47505 in 1974. In 1979, it was chosen to become part of the Scottish push-pull project and emerged from Crewe Works later that year wearing the new identity of 47712. It was named Lady Diana Spencer by the then BRB chairman, Sir Peter Parker, at Glasgow Queen Street on 30 April, 1981. The ScotRail blue-stripe livery was applied during overhaul at Crewe Works in early 1985 and was carried until overhaul at Doncaster in 1991.
