'ILRA' was created in the early '90's, and probably means Intercity Long Range pool A, and was created when British Rail converted a fleet of Class 47's for working long distance cross country passenger trains, without needing to be refuelled as often as previously.

The current fleet of Cross Country 47's began life as the majority of Class 47's, built between 1962 and 1968 by Brush Traction at their Loughborough works, or British Rail at Crewe works.
For more history information, see the very informative class 47 data page at the:
BRUSH TYPE 4 FUND

When built, these locos did not have electric train supply (to supply the trains they hauled with electricity and heating etc.), and their fuel tank size was a standard 3273 litres.

In the 80's, a large batch of these original 47/0's were converted to 47/4's with train heating supply.

Then in the very early 90's, many of these 47/4's were fitted with twin fuel tanks, taking fuel capacity to 5887 litres.

Most of these were then renumbered to 47/8's, to distinguish them from the other single tank 47/4's.

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