British Rail Class 20
The British Rail Class 20, originally known as an English Electric Type 1, was a class of diesel electric locomotive. 228 locomotives in the class were built by English Electric between 1957 and 1968. The large number was partly to do with the failure of other early designs in the same power range, and reliable locomotives being needed.
| English Electric Type 1 British Rail Class 20 | |
| |
| Hunslet-Barclay 20903 on a weedkilling train at Doncaster, April 1994 | |
| Power type | Diesel-electric |
|---|---|
| Builder | English Electric at Vulcan Foundry and Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns |
| Build date | 1957–1962, 1966–1968 |
| Configuration | Bo-Bo |
| UIC classification | Bo'Bo' |
| Gauge | Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Track gauge/data' not found. |
| Wheel diameter | 3 ft 7 in (1.092 m) |
| Minimum curve | 3.5 chains (70 m) |
| Wheelbase | 32 ft 6 in (9.91 m) |
| Length | 46 ft 9+1⁄2 in (14.262 m) |
| Width | 8 ft 9 in (2.67 m) |
| Height | 12 ft 8 in (3.86 m) |
| Locomotive weight | 72 long tons (73.2 t) |
| Fuel capacity | 380 imp gal (1,700 L; 460 US gal) |
| Prime mover | English Electric 8 SVT Mk.II |
| Traction motors | D8000–D8049: EE 526/5D Remainder: EE 526/8D |
| Transmission | DC generator, DC traction motors |
| Multiple working | ★ Blue Star |
| Top speed | 75 mph (121 km/h) |
| Power output | Engine: 1,000 hp (746 kW) |
| Tractive effort | Maximum: 42,000 lbf (186.8 kN) |
| Train heating | None |
| Locomotive brakeforce | 35 long tons-force (349 kN) |
| Train brakes | Vacuum |
| Career | British Railways |
| Number | D8000–D8199, D8300–D8327; later 20001–20228 |
| Axle load class | Route availability 5 |
The locomotives were originally numbered D8000–D8199 and D8300–D8327. They are known by railway enthusiasts as "Choppers",[1][2] a name taken from the distinctive beat the engine produces under load which resembles the sound of a helicopter.
British Rail Class 20 Media
Two Class 20s, coupled nose to nose, hauling a freight train in 1986
Two Class 20s working a passenger train
20 168 "Sir George Earle" and 20 906 at Hope Cement Works in 2025
Harry Needle Railroad Company 20 311 at Derby in 2014
Balfour Beatty 20901 & 20905 with the Drain Train working 6J09 Crewe Gresty Lane Down Sidings to Woking Up Yard passes Byfleet & New Haw 13-08-24
Corus 81 (ex-BR 20 056) at Barrow Hill Engine Shed, 9 July 2006
20 309 On hire from Swietelsky sat by the loco shed at Breedon's Hope Cement Works 10 April 2025
Prototype Class 20 D8001 stands at Wirksworth waiting for departure on a goods working.
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References
- ↑ Oakley, Michael (1981). BR Class 20 diesels. Truro: Bradford Barton / D&EG. ISBN 0-85153-419-8.
- ↑ "'At least 20 20s' for Barrow Hill diesel jubilee". The Railway Magazine: 9. July 2007.
