A Class 47 diesel locomotive purchased by the Wensleydale Railway has been delivered to the railway’s Leeming Bar site.

The railway purchased Class 47 No. 47714 from The Harry Needle Railroad Company in Derbyshire.

It was towed by Hanson & Hall Rail Services Solutions Limited’s Class 50 No. 50008 Thunderer to Castle Hills Junction at Northallerton, from where it was towed by the Wensleydale Railway’s Class 37 No. 37250 to Leeming Bar Station.

After undergoing mechanical and electrical inspections and tests by the Wensleydale Railway’s diesel traction team staff and volunteers, on Sunday, 17th November 47714 was successfully started up for the first time at the railway.

No. 47714 is one of 512 Class 47 diesel locomotives built between 1962 and 1968 by Brush at Loughborough and by British Railways at Crewe.

At 22 miles long, the Wensleydale Railway is one of Britain’s longest heritage lines. Operated mainly by volunteers, it serves both the local community and provides a great value day out in the Yorkshire Dales for tourists, families, and transport enthusiasts.

Services are currently operated by heritage diesel between Scruton near Northallerton and Leyburn on the outskirts of the spectacular Yorkshire Dales National Park and is working towards restoring passenger services from Leyburn to Redmire.

At its award-winning, restored historic stations. costumed living history interpreters provide free guided tours where they can learn more about life on the railways in the 1900s.

“The purchase of this locomotive improves our operational capabilities. It has electric train-heating capacity which will allow us to heat our carriages during the cold winter months. Our immediate focus is to get 47714 fully operational and available as a back-up for 33035, which is currently in use for this year’s THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Rides. We will begin bodywork repairs in the New Year and aim to have it repainted for the Summer.”

Tim Williamson, Director of Engineering and Rolling Stock at Wensleydale Railway PLC