Loco History

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Locomotive D8142 was delivered brand new from the English Electric Company's Vulcan Foundry in May 1966 to the Birmingham Division of British Railways. The origins of the locomotive actually date back to the mid-1950s when British Railways was engaged in its modernization plan, which was to include the introduction of several experimental types of diesel traction, covering five different power ranges. The product offered by English Electric for the 'Type 1' range was a single cab, 1000hp design with a 75 mph top speed capability. The diesel engine itself was an 8 cylinder, V form unit designated '8SVT'. This unit had already proved itself to be a very reliable engine, albeit in a different configuration and it was this reliability that saw British Railways adopt the English Electric product for its 'Type 1' design, as other designs of this type, had, by this time, proved to be nowhere near as reliable engine-wise.

The success of the 'pilot scheme' members of the class resulted in further orders of the English Electric 'Type 1s' and although the first loco was delivered in 1957, the final loco wasn't rolled off the production line until 1968, the class then consisting 228 members in total.

Various detail differences were introduced between certain batches, notably the fitting of train headcode boxes instead of disc indicators, round buffers instead of oval, and later on, the fitting of dual braking and on certain locos, slow-speed running equipment.

Over the years the patterns of freight traffic were changing rapidly, the traditional small 'pick-up' wagon load traffic was declining fast. This work was the 'bread and butter' traffic for the EE type 1s and so as times changed, the locos had to adapt to new duties. The most notable of which was the movement of coal from colliery to power station. For this work the loco's were paired up 'nose to nose, giving better visibility for the driver and also providing 2000hp for the job in hand. It is for this work that the class 20s as they became under the 'TOPS' re-numbering system of 1973, will probably be remembered most. However, the class 20s were also just as well known for their Summer only workings on passenger trains, mostly originating from the Midlands and taking holidaymakers to the coastal resort of Skegness. These workings became legendary over the years and offered enthusiasts the rare opportunity to travel behind the class. The loco's also stood in for DMU turns occasionally in the late Eighties as the rundown of the 'Heritage' DMU fleet was gathering apace due to 'Sprinterisation'. Remarkably, several examples of the class soldier on to this very day, having been extensively re-furbished, and are still giving sterling service to their operators.

(Left) 20142 paired with a sister loco at Derby backing onto a Crewe service.    (Right) 20142 and sister loco arriving at Longport.

As mentioned previously, D8142 was first allocated to the Birmingham Division in 1966, it then moved to the Nottingham division working mainly from Toton depot which was to be its base for virtually all of its B.R.career, with the exception of a very brief stay at Sheffield Tinsley depot in 1977. The loco was finally withdrawn in July 1993.

The loco arrived at Llangollen in October 1994, and following the sourcing of a few parts and the re-building of the cab interior due to asbestos removal, the loco was made operational again shortly afterwards.

20142 was hired to the M.O.D at Long Marston in 1995 to assist with shunting duties and again in 2003 to the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL), this time being employed on overhead line wiring trains. On its return from CTRL it also had a very brief stop at Alstom Chester Traincare, being utilised for staff training on class 175 emergency rescue by locomotive procedures.

(Left) D8142 rests with sister 20189 at Beechbrook Farm whilst on CTRL duties. (Right) D8142 at Chester.(Photos.M.Frodsham)

Photos reproduced courtesy of CTRL and Alstom Traincare Ltd

The loco is possibly our most well used and reliable performer, a fitting tribute to the English Electric design team of the 1950s, for producing such a fine, robust, yet simple locomotive design.