Outlines of Power - Nº 4 : EE Type 1 (Class 20)

For the fourth 'Outlines of Power' article by Mike Turner, that the magazine 'Rail Enthusiast' ran during the early 1980s, we have the English Electric Class 20 with a terrific portrait of D8000 in her original BR green livery.

The accompanying annotation reads as follows:

The first English Electric Type 1 Bo-Bo, later designated Class 20, emerged from Vulcan Foundry, in Lancashire, more than 25 years ago and, amazingly, most members of the class are still around. The long-nosed diesel-electrics normally work in pairs, joined nose-to-nose to give drivers an unrestricted view from the flat cab ends. The Class 20s are powered by an eight-cylinder English Electric 8SVT Mk 2 diesel, energising four traction motors (one to each axle), and weigh in at around 72 tons.
The prototype, D8000, is now awaiting conversion to a near-permanent display at the National Railway Museum, York, and most of the others in a class, which once numbered over 220, are either in store or still at work. Their normal duties are mixed freight, engineering or MGR trains, but, at a pinch, they have been used on enthusiasts' or holiday specials.
Mike Turner's painting shows D8000 in her original green livery, and captures the spirit of this reliable, rugged and long-lived class. The accompanying technical drawings are by Russell Carter.

Whistling While It Works!

Bachmann's Class 20 'D8158' in BR Green (32-033DS) is another recent addition to our loco fleet and it means that we now have two of these excellent Type 1 locomotives to call upon.

It comes with Bachmann's own sounds fitted but, as always, this is not good. The actual sound is much better than what was installed earlier, on the other Class 20 that we have, before we had it reblown at Howes. 

However, the number of functions provided is very limited. 

We are not sure if we will go with Howes again or try someone else when comes the time for a reblow. 

I have not heard what Olivias Trains Class 20 sounds are like but if they are as good as their Class 37 then maybe we should give them a try.

In the photo above, the whistler is trundling past Manxton with a rake of the ubiquitous BR 16T steel mineral wagons, all nicely weathered and carrying loads of real coal as well.

It is travelling 'wrong line' due to the Up line being closed for track maintenance - and also because it made for a better photograph! 

On the left of the picture can be seen the Shillingstone Signal Box by Bachmann (44-165) and above that is the branch line to Anchwood, seen in yesterday's posting.