what coaches would a Class 47/0 pull, is it the MK1's? also did they ever pull a standard rake or was it any old configuration.

I suppose it depends on period but I'd say blue/grey MK I's, no idea about configuration. No doubt someone will give a more informed answer.

Depends on region but a pretty standard rake would be at "London end a Brake possible BFK then All firsts , buffet (or restaurant + Kitchen car on posh trains) then seconds with a Brake or BG Full brake at the other end.
Thats from a fading memory of course. In later years they hauled Mk2s but with a similar make up. For added spice you could always include a Blue & Grey Gresley Buffet in the rake as these survived into the late 70's usually the most comfortable ride in the formation.

That matches my recollection too Jerry. That's pretty much how i have my 8 carriage rake set up with MkIs behind 47 035.

The formation will depend on the region and the route, the BR(M) were well known for their preference for composites over all Firsts. I know N allows longer trains to be run, but here I'll stick with the trainset friendly sized stuff. A staple 4 coach train is the good old BSK/CK/SK/BSK, an 8 coach train could often be found using two of these sets coupled together. My memory tells me that is was with the Mk2 coaches that all First at one end of the train became the norm at first, more specifically the main line stuff rather than secondary services, whereas Mk1 formed trains were always a bit of a pick and mix. A typical InterCity secondary route (Crewe to Holyhead for example) 4 coach Mk2 formation was very frequently a BFK/TSO/TSO/BSO with sometimes a Mk1 SO or SK added on as needed, sometimes more.

With the Mk2a coaches on the way from Farish as well as the good Mk1 range you'll be able to form pretty much anything soon enough with the exception of frontline aircon trains. But as the 47/0s didn't have ETH they weren't front line locos, more secondary and freight, so the mixed bag Mk1 train or shorty Mk2 secondary service is where you want to aim.

On the Western Region in the mid-70's Mark 1 sets were used on the Paddington - Worcester (7 coaches) and Paddington - Birmingham (8 coaches) routes.

Also the Thames Valley commuter expresses were mark 1 with sets varying from 7 to 13 coaches.

Locomotives were a mixture of 47's and 52's.

Memories are fading as I cannot remember the exact formations. Let me know if you need any more inforamtion.

i have 47035 as well.

i may have a class 47 gala later this year on my layout, even though i only have two of the class.

i think as a rule you have brake coaches at the ends and the firsts and seconds separated by a buffet car. i'm sure that they must have run in every combination possible and all mixed up sometimes though.


tim

I know the first three coaches of the Worcester's (Hereford) portion had a BSK, CK & SK.  The Worcester portion included a RU, CK, SK + 1 other but I'm not sure of the order of either portion.

The Birmingham are a mystery.

The commuters had a BSK or BCK, FK and CK in the centre with second class split either end. These were both TSO and SK but rarely a mixture in one set.

The Brain cells have also just remembered that on the last leg of one of our GWS vintage train tours through Wales we went WITHOUT a "Kettle" on several trips. I remember selling tickets to 4 gricers at Newport who wanted to travel behind the loco hauling our train it was a 47 so there would have been an 8 coach GWR liveried train collets and a hawksworth BCK.
Apologies if you were one of said gricers but we were after beer money.

cheers for your inputs guys. Some basically a rule of thumb would be brakes at both ends, with BFK, FK,FK, RMB, SK, SK, TSO, BCK

I just trawled through my photo's of 47/0 loco's making a note of what coaches were behind them that i could recognise.

loco number Region-coaches mk followed by type:
47005 WR 1so/k-1so/k-
47015 SCR 1bg-2aso-2aso-
47017 WR 2dfo-2abfk-
47018 SCR 2aso-
47030 WR 1so/k-1so/k-
47055 WR 1so/k-
47072 WR 1bsk-
          WR 1so/k-1so/k-1so/k-
47077 WR 1so/k-1so/k-
47090 MR 1bg-
47101 WR 2aso-2aso-1so/k-2aso-1bso/k
47111 WR 1so/k-
47118 SCR 1so/k-
          ER 1rmb-
47124 ER 1ck-
47129 WR 1so/k-1so/k-
47130 WR 1bsk-1ck-1so/k-1so/k-1so/k-1rmb-
          ER 2abso-2aso
47143 WR 1so/k-1so/k-1so/k-1so/k-1bso/k-
47155 ER 2abso-2aso
47169 ER 2abso-2aso-2aso-2aso-
47172 ER 2abso-
47209 ER 1bg-3slep-
47221 ER 1so/k
47226 WR 1bg-1so/k-1so/k-1fo/k-1so/k-1bso/k-1so/k complete rake.
47238 WR 2aso-2aso-
47254 MR 2dbso-
47271 SCR 2abso-
47296  WR 1so/k-1bso/k-
d1982 ER 1bsk-1ck-  1968 maroon coaches, green loco.

hope this lot is of some use..

Mark

thanks Mark that is of help.