Stratford 47 Group locos reunited

CLASS 47 No. 47580 County of Essex returned to the Mid-Norfolk Railway on July 15, having been on long-term hire to West Coast for use on the main line. It has rejoined the S47G’s other locos based on the MNR – Nos. 47367 and recently repainted

No. D1933 (47596) Aldeburgh Festival (RM June p96).

No. 47580 is now on the roster for regular timetabled dieselhauled services and is available for special event days. George Saville, the MNR’s general manager, said: “We are delighted to once again provide a home for this engine. It is extremely important for us as this '47' has the equipment needed to run our Mk.3 coaches and means that we now have two main line engines that can power the ‘Polar Express’ services this Christmas”.

IAN MCDONALD Stratford 47 Group’s Class 47 No. 47580 County of Essex leaves Wymondham Abbey halt having returned to the Mid-Norfolk Railway after a long spell on the main line. It ran light engine on July 15 as 0Z43 from the Mid-Hants, where it appeared at that line’s June 25-27 diesel gala.