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Members Day Raffle - Posted 04/08/08 The main prize in the members day raffle held on 1st August has not been claimed. The number panel from 47328 is still unclaimed so anyone with tickets from Friday are asked to email their numbers to the Email Here link above for a chance to claim it. Fleet Update - Posted 24/07/08 47105 - Serviceable.
Has received attention to a defective radiator element. Boiler has
passed its ultrasonic exam. A 'cold' test is in the process of being
arranged. Brush Type 4 Fund Members Day Update : 1st August 2008 - Posted 24/07/08
On Friday 1st August the BT4F is
holding a Members Day at the GWR, Toddington, using 47105 and 47701
'Waverley'. There are 7 return trips to Cheltenham Racecourse on offer, with
the 2 locos working alternate services. The last train of the day will be
worked by both machines. Click HERE Fleet Status - Posted 23/06/08 47105 - Work continues on the boiler compartment cleaner while the boiler is on the ground. The boiler itself has had all of the protective cladding removed and is ready for inspection. The loco is serviceable for the upcoming gala and August BT4F members day. 47295 - Shortly to leave the BT4F stable after 5 years of storage at Ashchurch MOD site. The loco was primarily purchased as a spares loco for 47376 but plans were mooted for a return to service. However the cost of a new engine and bogies was too restrictive and the loco has been sold to Harry Needle. 47376 - Engine repairs are in progress, the liners, heads and pistons from one side of the engine have been removed and cleaned ready for refitting. Work has taken a back seat to the other locos. 47746 - The loco's return to service continues after the initial startup on 10th June. During this startup a faulty contactor was identified which has been rectified. Brush Type 4 Fund Members Day - 1st August 2008 - Posted 05/06/08 The Brush Type 4 Fund will hold a members day on 1st August at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway. 7 trips are planned with duties shared between 47105 and 47701 which has kindly been allowed to attend the GWR by the owner Tracy Lear. Trips will start at 0945, real ale and an on train buffet will be provided along with sales stands. There will be a lunchtime break during which the BT4F AGM will be held. Non members are welcome to come along and enjoy the day. Diesel Gala TimeTable - 4th to 6th July The timetable for the diesel gala is HERE 47746 Progress - Posted 12/5/08 A working party was at Long Marston on the 8th and 9th May to continue work on 47746. Along side a re-brush of the generator several contacts were cleaned and checked. Tests were carried out on the air and coolant systems and both found to be free from leaks. An initial attempt to charge the batteries proved fruitless but after changing to the alternative charging socket it was found that batteries did take a charge enabling the engine room, cab and headlights to be illuminated. As the loco does not have any fuel in the tanks a start was not contemplated but with all being well this should not be too far off.
47376 out of service furno - posted 2/4/08
47376 went on a test run
on Sunday, during this steam was filling the engine compartment. On
closer inspection water was found in the head on piston B4. Our CM&EE
has carried out a further inspection today and found that liners B4
and B5 are now leaking.
As a result '376 will not
be present at the diesel gala, we have now opted to carry out a
replacement of the rings on the 8 cylinder liners we hadn't so far
replaced. This means the loco will be out of service for the
foreseeable future as our priority for the coming months will be the
boiler on 47105.
April Gala Timetable - Posted 25/3/08 The timetable for the April diesel gala is here in PDF format 47376 returns to life - Posted 05/02/08 47376 was successfully started on the afternoon of the 4th March after spending a year out of service after the discovery of leaking cylinder liners within the engine. The loco last worked on the 17th March 2007 on the 1130 and 1415 Toddington - Cheltenham services after 47105 would not start. A few minor faults were found after the startup but these will only need remedial attention meaning the loco will be fit to work at the upcoming diesel gala on the 4th to 6th April. The loco has had a considerable amount of man hours spent on it and thanks go to the team who spent the time working to restore the loco to running order, with many cold wet days spent at Toddington and Ashchurch. Special thanks as always to the CM&EE of the Fund for his tireless dedication to the '376 and 105. 47105 is currently working on the green GWR timetable allowing 57 miles of steam heat Brush action on the weekends in March. The loco has recently received a new set of batteries to improve the reliability. 47376 on the road to recovery - Posted 21/2/08 Work continues to repair 47376, this past week has seen the reinstatement of the B2 cylinder liner and piston, following this work continued to install the head and the coolant pipes. With all being well the engine should be filled with water to test for internal water features in the next two weeks with a startup not long after. 8 Months later.... Posted 7/11/07 47746 made the move from Crewe Electric depot to Long Marston on 2nd November, the loco then stayed overnight at LM on the low loader before unloading on Saturday 3rd November and officially entering preservation. The best laid plans.... Posted 23/10/07 The proposed move of 47746 to Long Marston has been postponed until Friday 26th October as we've been told that there are track works in progress on the unloading road which will prevent the loco from entering the complex. As before, times when know. Fleet News - Posted 22/10/07 47105 - The cold test on the boiler was carried out last week which it passed. The boiler will now be reassembled in preparation for the running test. 47105 will not be working the 1615 Todd - CRC on Wednesday 24th October due to a lack of crew traction knowledge. 47105 will be working at the November diesel gala, a timetable is HERE. 47105 will then be in action on the 1615 off Todd on 10/11/18/24/25 November. 47376 - After spending the summer out of action the last few weeks have seen the refitting of the pistons and heads, then the exhaust and coolant pipes. Unfortunately after all of this it was found that there is a problem which is most likely associated to the B1 liner. At the same time a small fault was found with B2's head so the views of the working members were sought with regards to a next step. It was agreed that the heads would be taken of pistons B1 and B2 with the liner from B1 having to be removed again, this means that 47376 will be out of action for the rest of the year and the loco will not take part in the November gala or Christmas diesel day. 47746 - Road transport has been arranged for 47746 to move to Long Marston on Wednesday 24th October. After the loco's long stay at Crewe, EWS have requested that the loco be removed from Crewe Electric ASAP. The low loader that is being used to provide 47759's last trip to the scrapman will then make its way to Crewe for 47746. Times for the move currently not available, if you would like the timings when they are available please email the webmaster. 47746 move scheduled - Posted 7/9/07 EWS have scheduled the move of 47746 along with 47736 and 47759 to Crewe Electric depot for Monday 10th Sept, the crew are expected on site around 0900. Indications are that an extra loco will be added to the consist. Once at Crewe Electric arrangements will be made for the onward journey of 47746 to move to Long Marston and officially into preservation. We'll keep you posted! Fleet news - Posted 08/08/07 47105 re-entered service on the 31st July working the 1615 Todd-CRC and return vice 20137, this was the day that the railway started running trains again after the extensive flooding in Gloucestershire. The loco repeated this working on the 1st August. The loco had the fuel pumps and injectors replaced as well as an oil change. 47376 remains ensconced in the Dowty steam shed at Toddington. The loco cannot be removed until mid August as the adjacent line out of the shed has been removed for the installation of an inspection pit leaving a large hole. As a result the line is not safe to move a 100+ tonne loco over. 47746 is imminently due to be moved from Crewe DMD to Crewe Electric depot. The loco will be towed along with the other remaining CD stalwarts and some 37s to await onwards movement. More details of the move will follow in the coming days. 47105 Maintenance - Posted 17/07/07 47105 will not be working the booked turns on 18/19/24/25th July as the loco is still out of service for some routine maintenance. A 37 from GWR fleet will deputise. 47376 Repairs latest - Posted 06/07/07 A major step forward in the repairs to 47376 took place on Saturday 30th June. 4 Pistons, cylinder heads and liners were retrieved from 47295's engine and transported to Toddington. Of these the piston in best condition will be used to replace the faulty one removed from '376 in April. Photos of the lift are here 47295 Engine pictures - Posted 28/5/07 The past weekend has seen a lot of progress made in the recovery of pistons from the engine in 47295 (ex 47376). The engine was a write off as a result of a catastrophic failure whilst the loco was at the head of the 20.27 Leeds - Southampton freightliner on 8th June 2001. One of the pistons dropped into the sump of the engine causing severe damage. Pictures of the damage can now be viewed here Loco Report & Gala Timetable - Posted 14/5/07 47105 is currently having work done on its fuel pumps and injectors and once this is completed will need an oil change. The loco has two rostered turns at the end of May and is then in service for the diesel gala in June. 47295. A start has been made to recover a piston from the defective engine in 47295 which will be fitted to 47376 to replace the defective A1 piston. Good progress was made over the past weekend removing coolant and exhaust pipes. 47376 remains out of service awaiting a replacement piston. 47746 still languishes at Crewe Diesel depot. The loco has been blocked in the shed by partly scrapped 37s, work has been continuing in recent weeks to finish off the 37s which will remove any obstructions. The next diesel gala to be held on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway will be over the weekend of 15th to 17th June 2007. A timetable is here. Unfortunately the gala clashes with both the Keighley and Worth Valley gala and West Somerset Mixed Traction Weekend which should see 47237 and D1661 (47840) working. 47105/47376 Report - Posted 25/4/07 Work has continued apace on the removal of the pistons in '376s engine to allow replacement of the cylinder liners which were found to be leaking. The work commenced over the weekend of the Spring Diesel gala with removal of exhaust & coolant pipes plus air manifolds, work then turned to the rocker gear and cylinder heads. On the 21st April pistons A1, A2 and B1 were removed with the aid of a clever tool on loan from the Cotswold Mainline Diesel Group. A surprise was in order as A1 is damaged so will not be refitted to the engine, A2 and B1 seem in good order and will be cleaned up for re-use. On 22nd April the offending liners were also removed from the engine. 47105 worked over all three days of the Spring diesel gala, the loco had a minor problem on the Sunday of the gala, the source of which was found to be a fault between the drivers chair and the drivers desk. After a time on charge the loco was out again only missing one train for which a 37 deputised. 47105's next outing is 28th/29th April working shuttles between Cheltenham and Winchcombe for the Thomas & Friends weekend at the GWR. 47376 Out of Service - N/111 / 47105 Update Posted 27/3/07 47376 has been stopped due to leaking cylinder liners in the engine and will not take part in the Spring diesel gala. '376 experienced problems on 17th March after the loco was called into service following 47105's failure to start. 47376 worked the 1130 service with no problems but shortly before departure on the 1415 service it was noticed that a large amount of oil was leaking from under the engine and spraying into the engine room. 376 worked the 1415 trip then returned to shed where 105 was resuscitated. The fault on '376 was found to be a blocker breather on the engine which allows gas to disperse from within the engine itself. Repairs were carried out this past weekend but on reassembling the loco two leaking liners were found. 47376 has therefore been withdrawn from service for the foreseeable future to effect repairs. 47105 failed to start on the 10th March for the 1130 trip (the loco's only trip of the day) resulting in a 37 deputising. The batteries on the loco were inspected on 11th March and found to be ok and the loco started without incident. The same problem occurred during the day on 16th March whilst '105 was working Race specials for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the loco was shut down after the morning run to the racecourse but failed to start in the afternoon requiring the loco being dragged onto shed for a battery charge from which it started. On Saturday 17th '105 once again failed to start necessitating the use of 47376 but after charging worked the 1635 trip. 105 received battery cells from 47376 and started without charging so hopefully the problem is resolved and the loco will feature in the spring diesel gala as booked. Spring Gala Timetable - Posted 27/3/07 The REVISED timetable for the GWR Spring diesel gala is available HERE 47746 becomes 4th Brush Type 4 Fund loco - Posted 27/2/07 On Friday 23rd February the Brush Type 4 Fund was informed that the bid for 47746 had been successful, making '746 the Fund's 4th preserved Class 47. The former 47605, 47160 and D1754 was stopped as a running loco in December 2003 and has spent the time since stored at Crewe Diesel Depot. Initial plans are to move '746 to Long Marston for the remedial work needed to restore it to working order. More details on the locos long term future will be posted when known. 47105 & 47376 restored to working order - Posted 27/2/07 Work has been completed on the BT4F's locos based at Toddington. 47105 has had roof panels refitted and sealed while work on 47376's exhaust was also completed. Both locos have been run and no further faults found. 47105 returns to traffic in March working 3 trains per day throughout the month with the exception of the 10th March where '105 will work the first train with a 37 working the remaining two services. Video section temporarily offline - Posted 11/2/07 The video section has been temporarily removed due to a hosting issue. It will return as soon as possible. GWR closed until March - Brush Maintenance With the closure of the Glos Warks Railway until March there is a chance to carry out some jobs on the Fund's engines, 47105 is now located in the main shed receiving attention around the roof panels over the heat exchanger and turbo which have been found to leak water into the engine compartment. This may include some welding to one section. The painting of the A side of the engine compartment is ongoing. 47376 is having attention to the exhaust between the cylinder heads and the turbo which has been blowing due to worn joints. The boiler compartment painting has taken a back seat for the time being. Thrash & Flames DVD from the SF 47 Group The Stratford 47 Group have a DVD for sale on eBay, the Thrash & Flames DVD runs for 110 minutes with 34 different 47s in action. All profits from the DVD sales go to the Stratford Group and the preservation of 47367 and 47596. The eBay link is here - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110080501333&ssPageName=ADME:B:EF:UK:11 Clips from the DVD can be found on YouTube, click the following links - 47786 leaving Holyhead on an ECS Christmas Diesel Day timetable - Posted 17/12/06 The timetable for the Christmas diesel day is available HERE. 47105 and 47376 will be paired for two rounds trips of the line at 1130 and 1610 from Toddington, returning from Cheltenham at 1220 and 1700, 47376 has a trip to Winchcombe and back with the brake van at 1415 returning at 1440. November Gala timetable - Posted 25/10/06 The timetable for the November diesel gala is available HERE. The gala will feature both of the Brush Type 4 Fund locos based at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway. It's ALIVE!! 47105 was successfully started on Sunday 27th August after it's 3 month summer holiday in Toddington yard minus several internal pipes and components and having the fuel tanks cleaned out. The loco was given a test run on Monday 28th with '376 in tow and all seems to be well with the engine meaning an appearance at the upcoming diesel gala will be forthcoming. The timetable for the gala is HERE
47105 stoned! - Posted 08/08/06 47105 has become the victim of vandalism at the GWR. Sometime in late July the 47, parked in the yard away from public land, was attacked which has resulted in a cracked drivers side windscreen. The loco bears 3 distinct marks on one windscreen only which could be mistaken for an attack by the Phoenix snipers, the vandal certainly has good grouping ( I wonder if he plays darts?). Click here for a photo However, said vandal is not so clever as the loco targeted is the 47 of the two which is spending the summer out of traffic for repairs while the "Pride of the Fleet" continues to work without problems. An investigation is under way, and although it would seem that any attack must have come from on GWR property this is unconfirmed and it should not be assumed that it is an "inside job". Any information on this matter is gratefully received by email will be taken in strictest confidence, and will be passed to the appropriate persons. And as always, don't have nightmares! 47105 out of service for the summer & drive a 47 - Posted 15/07/06 47105 is currently out of service receiving repairs, these include a drain of the fuel tanks which need to be cleaned after algae contamination caused the loco running problems in March. The engine silencer has recently been removed for repairs with areas underneath also discovered to need welding work. The Spanner boiler has also been stripped down along with other work being carried out reconditioning internal components. 47376 remains in a serviceable condition and work is at an advanced stage on the painting of No.2 end cab which is expected to be finished by the end of July. 47376's No.1 end gauges have been used for the Class 47 used in the train simulator BVE, the screenshot below shows the layout of the virtual Brush -
Pride of the Fleet no more : 47376 ousted from Thomas Glory - Posted 22/06/06 47376 will not work on the Thomas shuttles on the 24th and 25th June. Due to fine print and legal mumbo jumbo 47376 has been deemed out of keeping with the theme of the event and will be replaced by a 37. 25th/26th March - 47105 unavailable. Posted 24/3/06 47105 has been diagnosed as suffering from fuel contamination which has resulted in the loco failing whilst working on the weekends of the past fortnight. An algae has been found in the fuel, the loco will run but if put under too heavy a load will shut down and is reluctant to restart. As a result the loco is unavailable for traffic this weekend where it should have been the 1615 Toddington - Cheltenham and returns. 47376 has been prepared and will the power for the 1615 trips on both days, the locos first runs since the Christmas period. Work is ongoing in No.2 end cab where paint stripping has recommenced on the cab roof sections. Sunday 26th March Alteration - Posted 20/3/05 For operation reasons the diagram for the GWR on Sunday has been altered, this will mean that 47105 will only work the 1615 Toddington - Cheltenham and return working and will not work the 1425 departure from Toddington. Spring Diesel Gala Timetable - Posted 18 March 2006 The timetable for the Spring Diesel Gala running from 31st March to 2nd April is now available HERE Running Days in March 47105 will be working (and steaming) every weekend in March, the loco will work the 1615 Toddington-Cheltenham and 1700 return each Saturday and Sunday of the month but will work 2 trips on Sunday 26th March. Click HERE for workings. 47192 Charter - Friday 8th September 2006 - Posted 27/01/06 We've been asked to mention that 47192 has been chartered for a running day on Friday 8th September 2006 at the Churnet Valley railway. In the same mould as last year's day '192 will be working 8 or 9 round trips of the railway. More details will be available closer to the time regarding timings and cost but now is the time to get an annual leave day booked!! 2006 Gala Dates / Loco update- Posted 08/01/06 The dates are now available for the 2006 GWR diesel galas and can be found on the workings page. In addition to this there are a scheduled 116 days in which there is a diesel rostered to work on the GWR this year, details of the working days for 47105 and 47376 will be released closer to March when the GWR re-opens after the winter break. As you will probably have noticed 47105 is once again steaming after some insulating and welding work was needed on the the Spanner boiler. The boiler was put back together in late November/early December in preparation for a test on the 16th December. 47105 remains seviceable. 47295 remains at Ashchurch MOD, various ideas have been suggested for the future of the 3rd Brush Type 4 loco but as present no definite plans have been made. Negotiations continue with regard to sourcing bogies for the loco. The cab refurbishment of 47376's No.2 end continues but has been slowed by the cold Toddington weather making it hard to paint, the refurb should be complete for the start of the running season in March. 47376 experienced a blown battery cell and a sticking reverser in the run up to Christmas but with these minor problems fixed the loco remains serviceable. Amended Gala Timetable.- Posted 2/11/05 The gala timetable has been amended to included 24081 which was resurrected last weekend. 24081 will partner 47105 for the gala. TIMETABLE November Diesel Gala and 47105 back to NB! - Posted 31/10/05 47105 and 47376 will be working in the November GWR diesel gala, a timetable is available here. The Spanner Mk.III boiler on '105 is currently out of action as insulation work is needed before the boiler can be recertified for use, at present it isn't known if the boiler will need to be removed from the loco for the work to be carried out as alternative options for the method of insulation are being sought. 47105 workings at the Thomas weekend Posted 4/10/05 47105 will working the Cheltenham-Winchcombe shuttles in connection with the Thomas event this coming weekend. Timetable for the event is HERE 47376 named at diesel gala - Posted 25/9/05 47376 was renamed "Freightliner 1995" in a ceremony at Toddington Station at approx 1220 on Saturday 24th September. After a brief history of 47376 from Brush Type 4 Fund Chairman Nigel Antolic, John Plowright, the former Fleet Manager (Intermodal) from Freightliner was given the honour of unveiling the name. After the ceremony 47376 worked the 1240 Toddington to Cheltenham and 1330 return. A picture of 47376 can be found HERE. September Gala Timetable The timetable for the September gala is here. 47376 Re-Naming Ceremony - 24th September 2005 - Posted 4/9/05 47376 will be re-named "Freightliner 1995" at 1210pm on Saturday 24th September 2005 at Toddington Station on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway. More details concerning the ceremony will be available closer to the time as final arrangements are being made at present. 47376 was originally named "Freightliner 1995" at Crewe Basford Hall yard at the open day on 28th August 1995 by Freight Services Supervisor Barry Daly. The naming served to mark Freightliner as a separate business from the BRB and launch the then new FL livery. 47105 and 47376 will be running during the diesel gala (24th & 25th September) along with the GWR diesel fleet which now includes 56003 and 73129.
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