1st Sept 1985

The mysterious "Python"! Class 47 no. 47538 was one of the special group of former Western Region Class 47s to be named in the 1960s, but unlike the others, D1669, as it was then, went straight into the Electric Train Heating conversion programme in the early '70s, so became 47538 in 1974. Although originally named "Python" the nameplates were never refitted after conversion to a Class 47/4, so although for years, I, like so many other enthusiasts, assumed it was named, when it was seen the plates were always missing. We assumed that someone had nicked them! Here it arrives at Basingstoke with the Sundays-only 13.22 Poole to Newcastle train.

47538 was involved in a minor collision with a Class 08 at Penzance in 1990, but it was enough for the loco never to be returned to duties, and after a while in use as a test bed at Crewe Works in 1993 it was eventually scrapped in 1997.