Key Publishing has commissioned an exclusive limited edition modelling Porterbrook purple and white Class 47/8 47817 in ‘OO’ gauge - DCC ready. 

IN STOCK NOW! ORDER TODAY FOR YOUR COLLECTION

Porterbrook purple and white Class 47/8 47817 is the latest limited edition model commission to be revealed by Key Publishing. The Heljan model is available now from the Key Model World Shop.

47817 started life on August 18 1964 as D1611 when it entered traffic at Landore Depot. It became 47032 in 1973 before becoming an Electric Train Heat fitted Class 47/4 in December 1986 carrying the number 47662. Three years later it moved into the Class 47/8 fleet with extended range fuel tanks which transferred to Porterbrook ownership at the beginning of British Rail privatisation.

The locomotive was the first ILRA (Virgin Trains Class 47/8 pool) Class 47 to be repainted from InterCity ‘Swallow’ colours when it gained a brand-new livery design from leasing company Porterbrook. The purple and white scheme stood out from the crowd and was later applied to 47807 as well.

The repaint lasted two years with 47817 gaining standard Virgin Trains red and charcoal colours in June 1998. It then continued in service until 2002 when it was selected for rebuilding as a Class 57/3 and became part of the Virgin Trains ‘Thunderbird’ pool. Its final number was 57311 which it gained on July 31 2003.

The new 'OO' gauge Class 47/8 limited edition uses the all-new tooling from Heljan. Specification highlights include all-new tooling for the body and chassis, correct marker lights at each end, 47/8 long-range fuel tanks, cutaway buffer beams, sprung buffers, a powerful five-pole motor, twin flywheels and correct lighting features with can be managed with switches.

Prices are set at £199.95 DCC ready and just 150 are available in this format.

Note: The decorated sample shown in the video is a pre-production model and is subject to corrections and revisions before entering production. Images show a production sample.