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Class 20
Introduced in 1957- 58 years ago so now really quite ancient. Over 25 are preserved from an original fleet of 228.Some actually still at work on the mainline with DRS and HNRC.
Usually when there is a stock move to the North from Eastleigh it goes via Basingstoke but today for a change it ran via the Wylye Valley and Westbury.Sadly it was a very wet and dull day! Anyway here it is running as '5Z20' the 12:11 from Eastleigh-TRSMD to Crewe C.S.(L&NWR Site).The loco's being 20007&20142 with refurbished but never used Mk-4 carriages and DVT-82227.The livery being 'Grand Central' in readiness for a Euston-Blackpool service which was abandoned due to Covid. Here viewed passing Warminster running quite slowly.
..15 february 2022..
This Stock move from Eastleigh to Long Marston was today handled by this pair of good old 20's in Railfreight Red Stripe Livery, 20118 'Saltburn on Sea' and 20132 Barrow Hill Depot' are seen at Hawkeridge Junction with its train of eight Mk-3 coaches liveried for Chiltern Railways going to Long Marston for further storage from Eastleigh T&RSMD.It was booked as '5X20' an 09:56 departure from Eastleigh.Great to see a proper train in Westbury instead of the plastic modern tripe!
..13 april 2021..
Another amazing 'one-off' working using the pair of 20's that seem to be used now all over the country on odd-ball workings. Todays treat albeit in rather dire light was '6Z20' 20132/20118 from Westbury (13:28 off) going up to West Ealing-Plasser Sdg's with a couple of pieces out of an HOBC-Set.Viewed passing Great Cheverell on the B&H shortly after the fog had cleared only to be replaced annoyingly by clouds!
..4 december 2019..
The pair of Railfreight 20's 20118/20132 departing Westbury going to Willesden as '0Z21' leaving Westbury at 13:28 after the previous evenings unbelievable working to here from West Ealing.Seen at the North Junction taking the route back up the B&H towards London.
..14 november 2019..
The pa
Class 20's 20118 and 20132 stand ready to depart Westbury as '0Z21' going up to Willesden in London after coming to Westbury the previous evening from West Ealing Plasser with three HOBC wagons.
..14 november 2019..
Here is a sight that I though would never happen here at Westbury Station.Railfreight liveried pairing 20132 and 20118 viewed in Westbury having just arrived from West Ealing Plasser Sidings (18:34 off) with three wagons out of an HOBC-set probably off repair or servicing.This VSTP working '6Z20' arrived here at Westbury at about 22:00 and this shot was hand held using 1600-iso 50th [email protected] on an EOS 7D Mk-1.Use of a tripod not really necessary in a situation like this.Knock off plenty of exposures and some are bound to be nice and sharp with decent exposure!
..13 november 2019..
20118 'Saltburn on Sea- annd 20132 'Barrow Hill Depot' slowly rumble into Westbury with '6Z20' a VSTP working from West Ealing Plasser Sidings (18:34 off)..A lovely unexpected working this that has brought a pair of 20's here for the first time in many many years on a freight revenue earning service.The lighting here is so good that it was possible to picture this train that was still in motion hand-held using my EOS 7D Mk-1 at 6400-iso and 125th-sec @F2.5 on a F2 35mm Canon lens. In years gone by use of an old SLR type film camera loaded with reversal film would have been impossible.Exposures of 4 secs at least necessary because of very slow film iso ratings!
..13 november 2019..
This is my last ditch effort at pulling something out of the day when this rare pair of type-1's visited our part of the world.They are 20118 and 20132 leading '1Z16' the 16:05 from Swanage to London's Kings Cross.All part of 4-day tour laid on by GBRf to celebrate 15 years in the business.This shot was taken at 19:28 with sunset officially at 19:33 so considering the time of day/night? it's not too bad an effort.1600-iso was necessary on my EOS to allow me this slim chance of stopping the action.I achieved that (just). Location is Arn Hill nr Warminster with the shot taken off the top of a 9ft ladder leaning against a convenient electricity pole!
..8 september 2016..
This is the back-end of '1Z15' going to Swanage from London-Victoria. lead loco's were 73213/73128 with this pair of tasty Class-20's as well. Recently painted in RFD large-logo grey they certain looked the part.Shame the sun wasn't so interested!. 20132 and 20118 would lead later this afternoon away from Swanage but any sun available in this area would have been straight into the camera lens no point in waiting for it in the Totton or Southampton. Shit taken at Totton with the Marchwood/Fawley line on the left.
..8 september 2016..
Type-1 D8137 brings up the rear of '2L27' the 13:20 from Cheltenham racecoarse to Laverton service.GWR-2-6-2 tank 5542 was leading this service.The train is seen crossing the Gretton to Gotherington road at Dixton.
29 december 2015..
Reporting as '2C22' the 12:00 from Laverton to Cheltenham Racecoarse in the local Railways timetable a very very faded D8137 whistles by with its set of Mk-1 Choc-n-Creams.Pictured from down the field at Hailes since there was nobody on the overbridge behind and I therefore wouldn't mess up somebody elses shot!
..29 december 2015..
Direct Rail Services Type-1 pairing 20308/20305 head away from Bristol with Pathfinder-Tours 'The Torbay Flyer'. This departed Nuneaton at 06:07 with its destination being Kingswear-for Dartmouth via the ferry.Its operating ID being '1Z68.A long day out for these passengers as its booked arrival back at Nuneation was 01:53 next morning!------28 august 2015------
DRS-Type 1-Duo 20308 & 20305 heads its train of eleven coaches down past Malago-Vale in Bristol on this Railtour from Nuneaton (06:07 off) going down to Kingwear (For Dartmouth).It was running as Pathfinder-Tours 'The Torbay Flyer-1Z68' and pleasingly passed this location under clear blue skies (For a change!).Note the faint plume of exhaust coming from the Carmine-n-Cream Generator Coach '35469' operating the ETH function for this working.
..28 august 2015..
With 'Real-Time Trains'seemingly blind to this particular working it was a case of resorting to 'old fashioned' messages and a couple of well placed calls to know it was even running! Eventually it appeared without warning running well over 1/2 an hour early in a nice patch of blue sky. So here is the mysterious '0Z20'--- 09:10 off Willesden-Brent DRS going to Bristol Barton Hill-WRD.20305 with 20308 along for company make a rare sight passing Acton-Turville albeit just a pair of light-engines. Later it was found that they are booked for a trip down to Okehamptom on the 26th,probably to collect an ex-Polar Express Coach for movement north.
..24 february 2015..
Careful analysis of the timings of this working plus use of the 'Photographer's Ephemeris' revealed just a few spots in South-Wales east of Cardiff where the sun (If it was shining) would be on the nose.However as usual the clouds got in the way but it would have been nice! Anyway here are DRS Type-1's 20303/20304 heading '1Z28' the 06:12 from Derby going to Llandrindod-Wells,20303 was rather dirty having been in use on RHTT workings the previous week.The Pathfinder-Tours name for this working was 'The Heart of Wales Explorer'. As can be seen inevitably I ended up at Coedkernew on the 4-track between Newport and Cardiff. ..11 october 2014..
It's not often you see five old UK Classics together in a convoy apart from preserved stock going to Gala's somewhere.However here is a group of nominally still mainline registered locos being transferred from Okehampton up to Derby.The engines doing the retrieval '0Z20' are 20189/20142 and they were hauling 47375/31459 and 47769.Typically the sun that had been out for a solid hour failed seconds before it arrived but sufficient remained to allow a weak shadow and a bit of contrast.The scene again is Fairwood nr Westbury.
..25 february 2014..
A somewhat disappointing choice for me for this pair of 20's being sent down from Barrow Hill to Okehampton to collect a couple of locomotives to be taken north tomorrow.This exact pair 20142/20189 were seen last Summer travelling down to the Swanage-Gala.I was rather hoping possibly for a couple of GBRf liveried versions or even Grey ones.Anyway here is '0Z47' whistling past Ladydown running pretty much to time.Interestingly it was terminated for the night at Taunton as the crew were evidently out of hours.It is due to continue on down to its destination at 06:00 tomorrow morning.
..24 february 2014..
Another view of D8137 and D5343 parked up in the shed area of Toddington.The '20' was to go on and haul another service working within the hour whereas D5343 was a failure due to traction motor problems.A pity really as it was actually the 'Star' of the weekend.
..28 july 2013..
Here are a couple of the resident diesels from the G&W-Rly's superb collection they operate here.Type-1 D8137 and freshly restored type-2 D5343 rest in the sunshine outside the purpose built diesel workshops at Toddington.Alongside is another restoration by the team here,its GWR 2-8-0 2807 also in full working order.Unfortunately D5343 having worked well on day-1 of the Gala suffered a traction-motor fire yesterday that has put it out of action for probably a considerable amount of time.A pity really as it has taken 20 years to put it back to this condition prior to this weekend.
..28 july 2013..
'2L64' the 13:30 from Cheltenham Race-Course going to Laverton exits Greet Tunnel on the approach to Winchcombe. Resident D8137 in its time worn BR-green livery style doing the duty.
..28 july 2013..
Nose-first D8137 whistles through Dixton-Cutting with '2C61',the 11:24 from Laverton going to the Race Course at Cheltenham.Note how well groomed this area of railway land is. Notwork-Fail would do well to take note and sort out their Forests to something like the same standard (Fat Chance!)
..26 july 2013..
20227/20189 and 20142 catch a bit of a glint as they pass Millbrook going to Swanage from Clapham-Junction with '0Z20'. They are going to the Swanage Railway for next Weekends Diesel-Gala.No prizes for guessing where I will be next Saturday and Sunday!
..07 may 2013..
After the convoy of '20-s' had passed Northam I packed up and was riding my motorcycle home back through Southampton City.As I passed the Central Station I was amazed to see the 3-20's sat in the goods loop just west of the station.Naturally my speed increased and I nipped into Millbrook to get this grab-shot.They were actually coming under the bridge in the background as I was struggling with my Helmet/Gloves and Camera! So here are 20142 in BR-Blue/20189 in LT-Red and 20227 in the current London-Transport Livery doing a passible impression of '3 to the Sea' with '0Z20' from Clapham-Junction to Swanage.
..07 may 2013..
The reason for coming here to this location was to picture this working.Originally booked as '5Z20' hauling the 4-VEP down to Swanage from Clapham-Junction. However as usual things never go to plan and the 'Unit' had to be left at Clapham (It is now coming tomorrow-on the 8th- dragged by a '73'). So it became '0Z20' with just the locomotives 20142/20189 and 20227 in various liveries and all looking immaculate.Here they are whistling slowly past Mount-Pleasant under adverse signals.As it happens if it had had the 4-VEP in tow the shot would have been ruined anyway by the fast disappearing 'Southern'-377160 in the distance.
..07 may 2013..
The main event of the evening and the reason for nearly twenty people lining this high vantage spot at Ponthir was the returning 'Retro-Welsh Dragon'' 15:35 off Swansea to Huddersfield '1Z30'. Thankfully we were not disappointed as 20312 and 20308 rattled into view in perfect lighting conditions.Still tacked on the rear out of the limelight was 47802.
..27 april 2013..
With 20312 and 20308 still leading as they have done all day '1Z30',the returning Railtour from Swansea to Huddersfield clatters past Briton Ferry just catching a spot of sunshine in the process.47802 still continuing with its anonymous roll on the rear!
..27 april 2013..
A fairly brisk drive from the Welsh-Marches down to Barry enabled us to get another albeit sunless shot of the '1Z29' as it travelled onward to Swansea.Some passengers left the train here for a look at the town famous now for the 'sitcom' Gavin and Stacy'.20312/20308 were still leading as they departed a now semaphore-less Barry Station.
..27 april 2013..
A fairly brisk drive from the Welsh-Marches down to Barry enabled us to get another albeit sunless shot of the '1Z29' as it travelled onward to Swansea.Some passengers left the train here for a look at the town famous now for the 'sitcom' Gavin and Stacy'.20312/20308 were still leading as they departed a now semaphore-less Barry Station. ..27 april 2013..
Having done the 'tele' shot a quick twist of the zoom ring enabled a 2nd bite at this speeding pair of EE-type-1's here at Llanover.20312/20308 with its rather faded set of ex-Virgin Mk-2 stock amongst others.The train was the 'Retro-Welsh-Dragon' run by 'Retro-Railtours' as'1Z30' the 07:00 from Huddersfield going to Swansea via Barry.After managing to get this one in the 'bag' everything else today was going to be a bonus!
..27 april 2013..
This immaculate pair of DRS owned and operated 20's were today used on this Railtour '1Z29' the 07:00 from Huddersfield going down to Swansea.20312 leading with 20308 behind.47802 was tagged on the rear for 'draw-back' purposes in and around Swansea.The train is seen running pretty much bang on time passing Llanover south of Abergavenny.The scene captured in a nice gap of blue in the 50/50 cloud conditions.Good-Oh!
..27 april 2013..
The 2012 Diesel-gala kicked off with the pair of SVR based 20's D8188/D8059 seen here whistling away from Kidderminster with the 09:25 to Bridgnorth stopping just once at Bewdley.The lead engine wearing the non-authentic Waterman-Railways Black.
..06 october 2012..
Another view of 20312/20308 as they slowly negotiate the curve into Western-Docks at Southampton.37409 is just visible in the bushes at the head of this 11 coach formation.
..05 may 2012..
20312 and 20308 with 37409 leading edges slowly into Southampton Western-Docks on the '1Z62' leg of this Pathfinder-Tour.Behind can be seen the landward Freightliner-Depot at Millbrook whilst to the left is the now seldom used track to the car-loading platforms that a few years ago produced a fully loaded car-train almost everyday.
..05 may 2012..
The DRS 20's (20312/20308) were now on the rear after '1Z61' had reversed at Eastleigh.With 37409 leading it is seen approaching the Mount-Pleasant Level-Crossing in the northern outskirts of Southampton.The working now heading for the Eastern-Docks.
..05 may 2012..
After a swift chase from Norton-Bavant via Salisbury we were able to picture the tour '1Z61' from Crewe to Eastleigh for the visit to the Works-Yard there again here near Southampton-Parkway Station.The M27 bridge forming the backdrop.Barely 2 minutes had passed before 20312/20308 appeared so it was a quite close run thing!
..05 may 2012..
Choppers 20312 and 20308 clatter along the Wylye-Valley with '1Z61' from Crewe to Southampton Docks with a Pathfinder-Tours organised trip.It's not often this type comes down this area so actually getting the working in some sort of sun was well appreciated.Dead on the rear for this portion of the trip was 37409.This would play its part around Eastleigh and Southampton East and West Docks as well as keeping the passengers warm during the whole trip.
..05 may 2012..
'The Hampshire Hotchpotch' run by Pathfinder-Tours '1Z61'from Crewe (06:23 off) to Southampton Docks passes Norton-Bavant in the Wylye-Valley in an amazingly bright (almost sunny) patch of good light! 20312 and 20308 were leading with 37409 bringing up the rear primarily on 'ETS' duties.After this shot everything else we did down Southampton way was a bonus given the cloud cover!
..05 may 2012..
My only chance of a reasonable shot of the rear pair 20227/20142 was here at Portway as '7X09' was disappearing into the shadowy cutting.Such was the popularity of this working there was about 15 people here eager to record it passing. A good train to chase if you are a local and you know the area!
..28 march 2012..
With the evening shadows lengthening the Tube-Stock working '7X09' clatters away from Elford-Loop towards our location- Portway. 20901/20905 still leading here with classmates 20142/20227 DOR.The angles here were quite difficult due to a bunch of relay cabinets as usual placed in just the wrong position! So use of a telephoto-lens being the only way to 'get' the shot.
..28 march 2012..
As '7X09' carries on past Catholme towards its booked stop at Elford Loop just a few miles away a grab-shot of the rear pair, 20227 and 20142 was in order.Quite back-lit but you don't see four 20's on a train everyday do you?
..28 march 2012..
The 11:42 off Old Dalby (Test Track) down to Amersham moving tested new 'S' stock Underground Trains is seen here passing Catholme in glorious sunshine.Type-1's 20901/20905 lead '7X09' with 20142 and 20227 on the rear .Stock numbers for the LT stock were 21068 and 21067.A brief panic happened as this was approaching as a long-long tank train from the south nearly blotted us out! Thankfully it just cleared in time and can be seen in the distance heading north.
..28 march 2012..
Berkeley-Flasks ran today heading for Crewe.Nice combo of 20308 and 37606 with just one bogie flask carrier seen here approaching Cam&Dursley shortly after joining the mainline from the old Sharpness branch.Working running as '6M56'.As usual it was running quite a bit ahead of the booked timings.
..20 october 2011..
By the time 20309 and 20308 with this returning Railtour from Penzance going back to Gloucester '1Z38' the 'Kernow Voyager' finally got to Powderham (Just round the corner from Starcross) at 20:35 the light wasn't just on its knees but positively flat on its back!.Safe to say this was just about the only place for miles around with 1/2 a chance of getting light on most of the train.Use of a 200mm lens (320mm in old slr terms) enabled me to just about get over the mighty long lengthening shadows.All things considered a pretty reasonable result!
The 3rd tour with the 31's on was delayed and was due 45 minutes later.basically no chance as arrival time here would have been 21:20 in virtually darkness................
..25 june 2011..
Spitfire Tours '1Z37' 06:07 Gloucester to Penzance 'Kernow Voyager' passes the Aller-Divergence taking the Plymouth route to Penzance.Hope were high for a decent spot of light hence the journay to Devon to this prime 'On the Nose' spot. At least it wasn't raining!........
..25 june 2011..
A pair of green EE type-1's 20154 and D8137 whistle past the approach path to Gotherington station with a working from Toddington.
..12 july 2009
Originally D8060,then renumbered as 20060 and finally 20902.Became one of the Hunslet-Barclay weedkiller fleet,thats when it was renumbered again as 20902 and named 'Lorna'. Later sold again and after a period with DRS was sold to HNRC and ended up stored at Long-Marston.Unfortunately its career ended there and it went for scrap in August 2011. Another claim to fame for this loco was its use on the 'Train of Life' along with 20901 and 20903 all the way to Kosova in 1999 taking a full load of Aid. .. 08 june 2008..
A Harry Needle owned Type-1 EE 20096 runs into Corfe-Castle over the congested B3357 road from Studland with a working from Norden bound for Swanage during the 2008 Diesel-Gala being held there over this weekend..This high vantage point requires a very steep climb up the escarpment of the ruined Corfe-Castle proper.Well worth the effort but certainly not a quicky shot or one for the faint hearted!
..10 may 2008..
The then somewhat sparodic 'Nuclear Flask' working from Bridgewater to Sellafield via Crewe (presumably it was still '6M67' even then) is seen passing Yate-Common north of Bristol. Back then it was a waiting game with things such as gen-groups and i-phones still far in the future.Some days were a successful though as seen.Here is DRS-Pair 20315/20312 with four flasks in tow happily chugging north. Note how clear the embankments were here nearly ten years ago,today? shrubs and bushes now blot out the vista as they do nearly everywhere. Don't you just love Notwork-Fail! ..25 june 2002..
Here is a rather powerful shot of a pair of DRS-20's 20314 & 20316 rolling northwards at Shallowford nr Norton Bridge on the WCML coming out of the setting sun.Their origin is sadly not known (No RTT or OTT in those days!).A good day photographically All 47's/86's/87's and 90's with a couple of 58's and these 20's thrown in as well.Oh yes and just one Class-66 seen.16 loco hauled trains in 5 hours-Those were the days!
---13 november 2001---
This is the former 20133 that became RFS-2005 and found work in Kent working in and on the Channel-Tunnel project.After that contract was finished it ended up stored here at Swanwick-Junction at the Midland Railway Centre near Derby. However luck wasn't on its side and it went for scrap at C F Booth's of Rotheram in August 2003 six years later.
.. 15 august 1996..
Here is a rather powerful shot of a pair of DRS-20's 20314 & 20316 rolling northwards at Shallowford nr Norton Bridge on the WCML coming out of the setting sun.Their origin is sadly not known (No RTT or OTT in those days!).A good day photographically All 47's/86's/87's and 90's with a couple of 58's and these 20's thrown in as well.Oh yes and just one Class-66 seen.16 loco hauled trains in 5 hours-Those were the days!
..13 november 2001..
Here is 'The Mule & Otter Axeman' Railtour run by DC-Tours from Waterloo going to Okehampton at Salisbury after its first loco change.60040 came off and this pair of 20's 20169/20092 were coupled up to replace it.33114 was the 3rd loco to provide the ETH to keep the coaches heated. Here the combination is about to depart for Exeter. For the full Itinerary of this Railtour click HERE
..14 november 1992..
Here is an interesting RailTour from a quarter od a century ago! BRT liveried duo 20187 and 20075 stagger through Berkley Marsh nr Frome going very slowly indeed as the leading loco 20187 had failed and poor old 20075 was doing all the work.The Tour originated at Wolverhampton with a planned destination of Weymouth. However this pairing which took over the tour at Newport were several hours late by the time it passed me here.The decision was taken to curtail the journey at Yeovil so the punters on board enjoyed a day there instead.Later on a Class-37 came to the rescue for the journey home back to the Midlands.25 years later both of these engines still exist,renumbered as 20308 and 20309 they are currently stored at Barrow Hill wearing DRS-Compass colours.
..9 october 1994..
20169/20092 sit at the head of a set of coal 'mgr' hoppers in Bescot-Yard during the Open-day there..Although it was running all day the train never departed the complex.It was placed there purely as a demonstration of 'days gone bye' because the era of '20' haulage on these workings was virtually over.Interestingly both loco's are still in existence.20092 is dumped at Long Marston whilst 20169 is preserved at Kirkby-Stephen on the Stainmore Railway.
..30 august 1992..
This scruffy looking EE Type-1 20050 is none other than the original D8000 and now resides in the NRM at York lovingly restored to virtually original condition.Here it is seen at Swindon Works during an Open-day there.The engine was running and the cab was open.Nobody was about but I presume it was disabled from moving off if somebody tried to do it.Imagine that scenario now in the H&S parnoid times we live in today. No-Way!