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Locomotives - D8000
Class 20's were known by the nickname of "choppers". Two hundred and twenty eight engines were built between 1957 and 1968. This class was one of five different locomotive classes built as part of BR's modernisation plan. The engines were successful because of their design - simple, no frills yet robust.
A single cab locomotive capable of pulling many different loads, even working in tandem to increase their capacity. They mainly worked freight services due to their lack of train heating apparatus.
D8000 (later renumbered 20050) was the very first of the class. It was a class that saw service on every region of BR. Some even ventured into France during the construction of the Channel Tunnel. Capable of a maximum speed of 75 mph a Class 20 could hold 380 gallons of fuel which allowed on average 400 miles of service. After withdrawal from service D8000 was saved for the National Collection as a cosmetically restored locomotive. In 1992 work commenced to change the power unit and make all systems operational. This was completed in 1998 and the locomotive has since been demonstrated here and at other events.
- Name: British Rail (English Electric) Bo-Bo Diesel-electric type 1 No 20050 (D8000)
- Class: Class 20
- Built: 1957
- Built by: English Electric
- Weight: 73 tonnes operational
- Wheel Arrangement: BoBo
- Power: 1000 hp (4 traction motors)
Locomotive inventory number 1981-7002
Photograph reference number NRM_CT_936482