Devon and Cornwall the Class 47 Years

Book excerpt: The year 2002 saw a radical change on the railways of Devon and Cornwall: it was the last year of daily locomotive hauled passenger trains (other than the overnight London sleeper). These remaining workings were in the capable hands of the ubiquitous Class 47 diesel locomotives, which had plied their trade on the rails of the southwest for almost four decades. Devon and Cornwall--The Class 47 Years is a book of two halves: the first documenting the locomotives' daily work on all manner of trains and lines in the area from 1966 onwards and the second providing a detailed examination of 2002--their last year in front-line passenger service in the West Country--with a glimpse of some of the other automotive power seen in that year. All of this is now history, a snapshot back in time. Over 180 colou photographs, all captured by the author, take the reader on a chronological trip with much nostalgia and a host of unrepeatable scenes that showcase many of the stunning locations to be found in the two counties.