pieguyrob
Member
- Joined
- 27 Oct 2018
- Messages
- 571
So why did 47825 have 2 headlights at each end?
It was an experiment. A loco would fail if its headlight was not working. So the fitted a spare.So why did 47825 have 2 headlights at each end?
The first locomotive I ever saw fitted with the 87 style headlamp you mention above was actually a class 47 during late 1972 or early 73 at Manchester Piccadilly, I do have a shot of this but the slide needs to be scanned. From a hazy memory I think it was a D15xx series and I'm sure there was at least another 47 so fitted at the time.
I’ve often wondered about this.
It’s not like you could stop in the distance illuminated by a high intensity headlight even though it would be longer than you’d had previously...
But you’d maybe have more chance of getting out of your seat and hiding in the engine room if you saw a landslide/herd of cows/stalled tractor on a crossing appear out of the gloom?
I wonder how many animals survived due to seeing the headlights? I expect it would’ve made a difference.
One of the first ones thus equipped presumably? I think two 47s hot the 87-style one but I cannot find the numbers.
Yes they were probably the very first with this type, it was 1547 that I saw at Manchester Piccadilly in April 1972 so before the first 87 had even entered service, not certain which number the other 47 so fitted was though.
Having done a little digging it seems that 47432 (D1547), 47434, 47523 and 47601/901 had that type of headlight.Yes they were probably the very first with this type, it was 1547 that I saw at Manchester Piccadilly in April 1972 so before the first 87 had even entered service, not certain which number the other 47 so fitted was though.
in the 70 and 80s people used to be amazed that you would drive trains in the dark with no speedo or headlights and fully by knowing where you where by route knowlage with the odd signal or cutout painted yellow to help
to be fair it wasn't that difficult as you would learn often through months off repetition as a secondman so second nature
away from the obvious signals stations level crossings you would get cues from bridges jointed track rough spots embankments and cuttings with the odd landmark building or even tree would all subconsciously register in your brain to allert you where you are
off course in daylight hours you would have a different journey but in general the same fairly relaxed journey as night
Having done a little digging it seems that 47432 (D1547), 47434, 47523 and 47601/901 had that type of headlight.
Quite hard to find a picture of one working though.
Please do.Thanks for confirming this Mr C, had a feeling there was more than just a couple of 47s fitted back then, if I get the chance I'll try to scan my slide of 1547 and post it sometime over the next couple of days if of interest?
May I just say. Phwoar!Here you go....
May I just say. Phwoar!
It looks so new. Look at the clean wipers and the blemish free cab roof...
I wonder what sort of bulb and reflector arrangement was fitted in the headlight and how bright it was compared to a standard High Intensity Headlight?
Nice to see it illuminated.