| rdfs:comment | - In the mid 1960s, it was decided to de-rate the engine output of the fleet from 2,750 bhp (2,050 kW) to 2,580 bhp (1,920 kW). This significantly improved reliability by reducing stresses on the power plant, whilst not causing a noticeable reduction in performance.
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| abstract | - In the mid 1960s, it was decided to de-rate the engine output of the fleet from 2,750 bhp (2,050 kW) to 2,580 bhp (1,920 kW). This significantly improved reliability by reducing stresses on the power plant, whilst not causing a noticeable reduction in performance. The locomotives, bar a batch of 81 built for freight duties, were all fitted with steam heating boilers for train heat duties. The initial batch of twenty, plus D1960 and D1961, were also fitted with electric train heating (ETH). With this type of heating becoming standard, a further large number of locomotives were later fitted with this equipment. Many were fitted with extra fuel tanks, giving them an extended range. By 1986, only five of the original 512 locomotives had been withdrawn from service, all because of serious accident damage. However, with work for the class declining due to the introduction of new rolling stock, and spare parts becoming difficult to source, some inroads started being made. BR drew up a 'hit-list' of locomotives for early withdrawal, mainly including those with non-standard electrical equipment, known as series parallel locomotives in 1992. Their removal was most evident as 86 more 47s reached the end of their lives between 1993 and 1996. Others have been gradually scrapped before and since.
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