Devon and Cornwall The Class 47 Years: Class 47 A West Country symposium

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.

Bernard Mills is happily married to Audrey for over 30 years. He is a semi retired railway man with over 50 year’s service, and also a dedicated railway enthusiast who has been photographing trains and railways in colour for over half a century. With a wealth of experience he is an acclaimed speaker on the subject with his popular now digital slide shows, and the author of a number of much sought after railway books.