Class 20/0 Headcode Box D8133 BR Green (Small Yellow Panels)

From the maker

The all-new Bachmann Branchline Class 20/0 broke cover in 2021, our first New Tooling project to be unveiled in the quarterly British Railway Announcements, and now we have more new models to share with you. Sporting BR Green livery with Small Yellow Panels for the first time we have No. D8133 which is fitted with headcode boxes. This latest generation Bo-Bo diesel locomotive from Bachmann Branchline brings the classic BR Class 20/0 right up to date, capturing the subtle lines of these distinctive locomotives. The high level of detail is brought to life by the intricate livery application, whilst the powerful drive mechanism, Plux22 DCC interface and a full suite of lighting offers the perfect complement to the model’s good looks. DETAIL VARIATIONS SPECIFIC TO THIS MODEL BACHMANN BRANCHLINE CLASS 20 SPECIFICATION MECHANISM: DETAILING: LIGHTING: DCC: SOUND: LIVERY APPLICATION: CLASS 20/0 HISTORY The British Railways Board's (BRB) 1955 modernisation plan called for a change to alternative forms of traction and manufacturers were asked to produce trial or initial designs for evaluation. English Electric adapted an existing design based on an export model for a 1,000bhp diesel and 20 were built as a pilot scheme for assessment. The first batch was built in 1957 and the diesels were assigned to work from Devon's Road depot, East London. The design was a success from the start and by 1962 a total of 127 had been built. Following assessment of all the Type 1 diesels, BRB placed a further order increasing the total to 228 by 1968 and the design became the BR standard for 1,000bhp diesel locomotives. With the introduction of TOPS the locomotives were designated Class 20 and renumbered 20001 to 20228. The locomotives were principally designed for freight work but also saw service on summer passenger trains where train heating was not required. The Class 20s worked over the Eastern, London Midland and Scottish regions as well as into Wales and were commonly associated with coal traffic. The only drawback the Class had was its single end cab, unlike modern designs that have a cab at each end. BR resolved this problem by regularly operating the Class 20s as pairs, nose to nose, and with the combined power of 2,000bhp they were able to haul the heavier block freight trains. BR's decision to switch to Type 5 and in particular Class 60 diesels in the late 1980s started a gradual withdrawal of the fleet, with just 28 left by 1994. A tribute to the design is that after 45 years the Class is still in service with DRS on mainline duties following refurbishment, the resulting locomotives being designated Class 20/3s. At least 28 of the class are now preserved.

Text as published by the maker.