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Class 47/9. 47901 in Railfreight livery, is pictured here at the Foster Yeoman Merehead depot open day on (Date Unknown, possibly -1989+). This loco, built as D1628 and Renumbered to 47046 under the introduction of the TOPS numbering scheme was, following an accident during the late 1970's rebuilt with Class 56 equipment and converted to the Class 47/6 - 47601 as a test bed loco for the Class 56 loco's which were getting built at the time. During the Early 1980's it was again converted to the Class 47/9 - 47901 and rebuilt with Class 58 equipment for use as a Class 58 loco test bed. Withdrawal came on March 1990 and eventual cutting up took place at M.C Metals, Glasgow on March 1992. Photo: Scott Aitken. Scan: Ross Aitken (aos@cableinet.co.uk).

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47 901 receives attention in Swindon Works 30/08/85. Swindon's main tasks by this time were overhauling shunters, and cutting up withdrawn locomotives for scrap; it was rare to find a mainline locomotive in for repair. Photo copyright Stephen Dance (steved@kellock.co.uk)

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47 901 passes west at Wolfhall with an empty train of stone wagons, 22/6/89. This Class 47 was used as a test bed for many years. It was re-engined twice, to test the engines for Classes 56 & 58. It retained the Class 58 engine until withdrawn Photo copyright Stephen Dance (sdance@esfplc.com)