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West Coast Railways purchase Rail Operations Group Class 47s

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ExRes

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Reported on WNXX (subscription section) today that WCRC have bought 47812/813/815/848 from ROG, all four are currently listed as active
 
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221101 Voyager

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Reported on WNXX (subscription section) today that WCRC have bought 47812/813/815/848 from ROG, all four are currently listed as active
Why have ROG sold them for?

Is there something wrong with the locos, or has their been a drop in how many locos ROG require?
 

47827

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Why have ROG sold them for?

Is there something wrong with the locos, or has their been a drop in how many locos ROG require?

There was no real hint of this last year when I heard from one of the directors.

Suspect the new owners have understandbly looked at the running costs and frequent downtime awaiting parts/wheelsets that frequently plagues the class in its twilight years (always a problem with small microfleets). Add in the difficulty in keeping them reliable and a few incidents in the final months.

They should be better off where they are going in some ways, as scrap may have been the other option, but will become part of a now often poorly utilised fleet compared with several years ago when all these spare engines would have been handy. There will be a fleet of circa 20+ working 47/57s (and some stored or under major repairs) with generally demand not exceeding about 5 or 6 even on a busier day, of which most days aren't. Some explanations you could suggest include buying them because they are too good let go for scrap (this is the last chance) and better condition than many other surviving classmates, the parts shortage (and subsequent downtime) meaning an excessive fleet is better or indeed some sort of grand plan/contract in the future that would see loco requirements increase.
 

D6130

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Maybe West Coast think that they're going to have an increased requirement for long-range twin fuel tank locos in the not-so-distant future. I'm sure that Mr Smith will have some cunning plan up his sleeve.
 

fgwrich

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Reported on WNXX (subscription section) today that WCRC have bought 47812/813/815/848 from ROG, all four are currently listed as active

All now placed into the WCRC Pool, albeit in their current locations. I wonder if it's a purchase and leaseback arrangement until the new Bi-Modal Stadlers arrive, unless they are contemplating hiring some of the unwanted DRS fleet for the time being?
 

47827

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All now placed into the WCRC Pool, albeit in their current locations. I wonder if it's a purchase and leaseback arrangement until the new Bi-Modal Stadlers arrive, unless they are contemplating hiring some of the unwanted DRS fleet for the time being?

You could be right, although knowing how WC management tends to play things its more likely they'll be light engine to base as soon as it can be arranged and debranded accordingly. May get repainted, but the ROG liveried batch may survive in blue for the short to medium term at least.

Would expect ROG to simply lease more 57s off DRS if they aren't doing already and hire in if, as per the 20s for stock moves a little while back and past hire of 50s and in the early years a few 47s. I imagine the plan is for the new fleet to arrive within the next 12 to 18 months if the order went in a little while ago.
 

Dave91131

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Could WCRC be planning to dispense with its 57's, and hence have acquired these to have a fleet of 47's only?
 

The Bear

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Could WCRC be planning to dispense with its 57's, and hence have acquired these to have a fleet of 47's only?
I doubt it, but 47s are probably more valuable to WCRC because of their vacuum brakes, particular for working in support of their steam tours.
Those exROG 47/8, if kept operational will probably have their vac-brakes reinstated in fairly short order.
From memory, when the 57s were converted their vacuum brake equipment was completely removed.
 
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