I've acquired a few OO Gauge models in my time, and while some have been bad, sometimes just occasionally you pick up something that really surprises you. Usually found at only about £10-15 each so worth the risk in my book and these OO Gauge Class 47 models are not only good runners straight out the box, but one of them has clearly been given a bit of a make over with a fresh paint job and detail as we will show.
I aim to demonstrate them both here really to show off the effort that was made to update one of them compared to the other that's clearly still just the RTR Hornby model. Although even that one runs nicely and will work on my small motive power depot where several of the class would have been seen. All the photo's here we taken by myself at one of the excellent open days run by the Hillingdon Railway Modellers making good use of their large OO Gauge Test Track.
Class 47/0 series was built with steam train heating boilers, and initially used mainly on passenger services where steam heated stock remained. As steam heated stock became obsolete throughout the network, the redundant boilers were eventually isolated and, in many cases, removed entirely.
When the 47/0 sub-class was first created several TOPS numbers were allocated which were not used as the designated loco was converted to ETS and renumbered straight into the 47/4 number series.
In 2017, after over 55 years of front line passenger and freight operations, 30 locomotives retain operational status on the National network. When you consider that there are also another 32 loco's currently in preservation. With the majority of those in working order the Class 47 remains very buoyant at over 50 years old and with many millions of miles on the clock.
47 035
We've recently acquired two models with completely different characteristics, and our first Class 47 model 47 035 (shown above) is a modified Hornby model was renumbered to 47 594 in 1983 and named RESOURCEFUL in 1991. Has not just been repainted and detailed superbly but also has large buffers rather than the standard plastic ones, additional pipework where the Hornby couplings would have been and then runs so smoothly around the test track in both directions it's such a beautiful model I am delighted to have picked this one up. Additionally it will easily double head with other models which is useful as a couple of my non runners can be utilised in this way.
47 568
Our other model is also made by Hornby and has not been modified (was still for sale under same number by Hattons till recently). Originally built in 1964 at Crewe locomotive works, it was scrapped after over 40 years of service in 2007. Compared to the other model it stands a bit bigger on it's chassis and might need to be looked at, isn't as good a runner but does run ok and isn't as noisy as some models I've seen here though I might look to remove the unsightly couplings and fit something more subtle later.
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