Repainted in resplendent BR Blue, 20228 (D8128) will be in service at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway’s 2024 summer heritage diesel gala from Friday 12th to Sunday 14th July.

During 2020, the privately owned Class 20 made its way to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway at Toddington, where it joined sister locomotive English Electric No. 20137 (D8137), a member of the railway’s diesel fleet since 1994.

Railway enthusiasts commonly refer to British Rail Class 20s as ‘Choppers’ because of their unique engine sound, specifically the distinctive beat the engine produces under load, which resembles the sound of a helicopter.  

Built at English Electric’s Vulcan Foundry in Newton-le-Willows, it began life with British Rail on the 12^th January 1966 as D8128, at Tinsley (41A) on the Eastern Region (ER).

It originally appeared in BR two-tone green livery with small yellow warning panels (GSYP). D8128 was the first locomotive in its to have central head code boxes installed from the beginning (instead of disc indicators).

During its first 20 years’ service, D8128 spent time allocated to Warrington Dallam (8B) and Staveley (Barrow Hill) (41E).

During this period, the locomotive received several modifications. They changed its livery to incorporate full yellow ends (GFYE) by May 1971, and they renumbered it to 20228 under TOPS in January 1974.

From the featured picture, you may notice that 20228 has a somewhat unusual nose, in place of its headcode box, it has marker lights standing proud of the bodywork.

It probably gained this unusual appearance during time spent at Derby Works during 1976. Since locomotives were then no longer obligated to have four-character headcode displays, it is likely that the works added the markers instead.

Actually, three class 20s ended up with a similar look, however 20228 is the only one with its marker lights standing proud of the bodywork, rather than flush to it.

20228 has previous heritage railway service – operating trains at the Barry Tourist Railway from 2006 until 2012. The loco appeared at the ‘Class 20 50^th Anniversary Celebration’ at Barrow Hill in July 2007.

Tickets for the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway (GWR) summer diesel gala are available online at https://www.gwsr.com.

With up to nine diesel locomotives and a diesel multiple unit (DMU) running, it will offer an action-packed timetable. (All locomotives are subject to availability.)

The locomotive and carriage & wagon workshops will open their doors for public visits, and there will be plenty of other activities at the railway’s picturesque period stations.

Another star of the July diesel gala will be Class 47 Locomotive 47105, which has actually worked longer in preservation than it did during its career with British Rail (BR)!