Class 20s into Eastleigh Works, 5th April 2021

 

20007 and 20142 approach the works from platform 3 at the station.

20007 was new as pilot scheme D8007, entering traffic at Devons Road (Bow) on 19th September 1957. After working on  the LMR, ScR and ER, the locomotive was withdrawn in July 1993. In preservation was kept at Cheddleton, then later at Butterley and Ruddington. Now based again at Butterley in the ownership of Michael Owen / Class 20189 Ltd., and care of the Class 20 Locomotive Society, and is the oldest main line diesel locomotive working on Network Rail. The pilot scheme batch of locomotives, which included 20007, were delivered with plain equalising beams (as seen on 20001), but now is fitted with the fluted type.

20142 SIR JOHN BETJEMAN is similarly in the ownership of Michael Owen / Class 20189 Ltd. and care of the Class 20 Locomotive Society. This locomotive was new on 21st May 1966, and withdrawn in July 1993. In preservation it has been kept at Llangollen, during which time it worked on Channel Tunnel Rail Link construction, then later at Butterley with main line access. The equalisation beams are of the later type, fluted with weight reducing holes.

The headboard for SLC Operations is visible as the pair of locomotives back onto the stock.

One further picture of this movement.