DRS stores more ‘47s’

Only two of Direct Rail Services’ eight Class 47s remain in traffic, after two were stored at Carlisle Kingmoor.

Removed from traffic were 47805 John Scott 12.5.45-22.5.12 and 47818. Both had failed while being used on railhead treatment trains (RHTTs) in East Anglia. They join 47810/813/841/853 on the sidelines, leaving only 47790 Galloway Princess and 47828 available for use.

Sources suggest that the Type 4s are to be dispensed with once the RHTT season ends.

DRS Class 47s have had their work steadily reduced, despite being overhauled, modified and repainted as recently as last year. The operator has instead decided to use Class 37/4s because of their perceived increased versatility. DRS had even applied its new livery to 47810 Peter Bath MBE 1927-2006, but that has been stored since April.

• For more on this, as well as changes to the DRS fleet, read RAIL 789, published on December 9.