Diesel locomotives - British Rail Class 20: books - history

British Rail Class 20 Locomotives

The first of the English Electric Type 1 design, what we now know as the Class 20s, appeared in June 1957. With their distinctive 'chopper' engine sound, these single-cabbed locomotives soon gained a reputation for rugged reliability brought about by their simplicity and use of tried and tested components.

"British Rail Class 20 Locomotives" looks back at the operations of these fine locomotives since 1957, covering their varied workings and duties, regional use and railtour operations. The book also covers the technical aspects and specifications of the locomotives, including liveries and detailing.

Class 20 Locomotives

A pictorial tribute to the Class 20 locomotive. 228 of these single-cab locos were built from 1957 onwards by English Electric and Robert Stephenson & Hawthorns. They were part of the BR modernisation plan to replace steam.

There are two different front-end designs, the first carry headcode discs on the cab-front and nose end, while the rest carry headcode boxes on both ends. They were mostly used on the Midland, Eastern and Scottish region, but did venture further afield.

Withdrawals started in the early 1980s, with most being taken out of traffic by the mid-1990s. Fifteen were sold on to DRS, who rebuilt them as Class 20/3, and most of these locos are still in service.
Hunslet Barclay also operated six for use on weed-killing trains, but these were also later sold to DRS. Quite a number were preserved, and there are also a number in industrial service. Some are still main-line registered, the main contract being the delivery of London Underground stock.

The Class 20s were a success story from the beginning, and despite only being single-cabbed, they were regularly to be found running in pairs, making them far more efficient.

Class 20 Locomotives in Scotland

English Electric Class 20 locomotives once operated over virtually the entire rail network of Scotland. They were introduced to the Highlands in the late 1950s and are probably best remembered for working local freight traffic or working in pairs pulling coal trains in the Central belt.

This book covers Class 20s from the BR era up to recent freight operations, and many locations across the country are featured.
With a wealth of previously unpublished images, this book will delight Scottish rail enthusiasts.