BR Class 20 20189
| BRBritish Rail or British Railways Class 20 20189 | |
|---|---|
 20189 (Wikimedia Commons) | |
| Built By | Vulcan Foundry |
| Configuration | Bo-Bo |
| Power type | Diesel Electric |
| Status | Operational |
| Loco Number | 20149 |
| Other Numbers | D8189 |
| History | |
| Built | 1967 |
| Designed By | English Electric |
| Type | Class 20 |
| 1990 | First preserved |
| 2022 | Arrived on SVRSevern Valley Railway on hire |
| Technical | |
| Length | 46ft 9¼" |
| Weight | 73t |
BRBritish Rail or British Railways Class 20 20189 is a Bo-Bo diesel-electric locomotive, otherwise known as an English Electric Type 1The British Railways classification for diesel locomotives of up to 1000 bhp. 228 of these locomotives were built between 1957 and 1968. Weighing 73 tonnes and delivering 1,000 horsepower, they were designed to work light mixed freight traffic at up to 75 mph. Members of the class are nicknamed "Choppers" because of the distinctive engine beat under load which resembles the sound of a helicopter.
20189 was hired by the SVRSevern Valley Railway in July 2022 and has previously appeared as a Diesel Gala Guest.
20189 in service
The locomotive was built at English Electric's Vulcan Foundry and entered service in the Nottingham Division (D16) on 21 July 1967 under its original number D8189. It was renumbered 20189 under TOPS on 1 January 1973. It was subsequently reallocated to Toton in October 1987 and was withdrawn from service on 1 September 1990.[1]
20189 in preservation
The locomotive, which is main line registered, is owned by Class 20189 Limited. Class 20189 Limited was incorporated in 2006 as Company number 05742768; as of 2022[update] Michael Owen is the sole Director.[2] The company also owns main line registered Class 20 locomotives 20007 and 20142 which have previously visited the SVR for Diesel galas.
Classmate 20048, also owned by Class 20189 Limited but not main line registered, had arrived on hire to the SVRSevern Valley Railway in June 2022 to help working services during the period of coal supply issues. 20189 and 20142 also arrived on hire at the SVRSevern Valley Railway on 19 July. At the time the extremely hot weather and resultant fire risk had led to all steam services being withdrawn. Three of the SVRSevern Valley Railway's resident diesels had developed faults in the extreme heat (50035, D182 and D9551) while two of the SVRSevern Valley Railway's other Class 50s were required on the main line.
20142 and 20189 both worked service AS1 in multiple on 20 July. 20189 then continued to work services solo.
See also
References
- ↑ BRDatabase
- ↑ Companies House
Links
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