Dorchester Yard Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 Stupid trivia hour. i was pondering to myself while watching it go round and realised i have no idea which end is the front on a class 20? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkingthedog Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 I believe in was designed to go nose first like a steam loco but it was found drivers visibility was better cab first. They then used them in pairs nose to nose. /media/tinymce_upload/0954fe9ea329758c625e17eb235fe054.JPG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atom3624 Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 Good question actually. I've Googled 'BR Class 20 images': https://www.google.com/search?q=br+class+20&rlz=1C1SAVA_enGB521GB522&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjSkOOhzP7mAhVqTxUIHQO7A2EQ_AUoAXoECBAQAw&biw=1366&bih=657 WtD's reply ties in with the impression I've built up over time. Al. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LCDR Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 I worked with class 20s at Tinsley and at Barrow Hill in the early 1980s and with one exception they were always used in pairs and always nose to nose. The exception was the Doe Lea pilot which worked from Seymour Junction to Bolsover Colliery, serving Coalite as well. This was a single class 20 only and was called Trip No T94. Class 20s were also used on all the local trips except the Scunthorpe Entrance E Coke runs which were usually a pair of Class 31s, and of course the Merry Go Rounds which were usually a Class 47, slow speed fitted, which were later replaced with class 56s. The Meadow Hall pilot (08) used to take wagons when it went out in the morning and brought some back in the evening. It shunted the different firms at Meadow Hall during the day. Before it was de-electrified the Deepcar trip was hauled by a class 76, but after the line to Manchester via Woodhead was closed, class 20s took that over as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NWR-Gordon-4 Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 I also believe that Class 20's would run nose first, that how I would run one if I owned a Class 20 model (Which I don't). As proven by Brian's (walkingthedog's) image, with two Class 20's coupled together, nose to nose, that wasn't always the case. GNR-Gordon-4 (HF) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkingthedog Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 I said that Jacob but after a short while they used them cab first for better visibility. Much like a steam loco if there isn't a turntable available it can't be turned round. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NWR-Gordon-4 Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 I know that you said Brian. I was qouting you, without using the pink qoute box which a waste of space. 😀 Without a turntable, locomotives would not be able to turn around without a crane lifting them off the track, which not necessary, really! 😆 I think they look better nose first, but I understand why they are easier to for the driver to see where it he / she is going, if the locomotive runs cab first. Apart from steam locomotives, I don't think most diesel locomotives have a front and a rear. They run just fine in either direction. GNR-Gordon-4 (HF) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Postman Prat Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 In Scotland the class 20 were often used as a single unit. Therefore one way or another would be nose first. After steam finished most turntables were scrapped. Diesel locos have a 'front' and 'rear', known as the no1 and no 2 end 😮 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LCDR Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 As a coupled pair, usually nose to nose, the class 20 made a formidable hauler. 2000 hp available, so equal to a type 4, but with 8 axles motored so significantly more adhesion than any other Type 4. Forward vision with bonnet leading was not good and drivers did not like to run that way round. Occasionally a pair was made up cab to nose and the LDC would moan loudly to management whenever that happened. Another issue that we never really got to the bottom of was that when coupling two class 20s certain locomotives refused to run in multiple, it was often locomotives with consecutive numbers which played up. Driving a diesel from the wrong end was forbidden, Drivers were supposed to change ends before reversing. With a pair of 20s it was even more dangerous with double length from the blind end, but still some drivers took the lazy (and unsafe) option. One night one of our guards was run over by a pair of 20s in the shed yard but fortunately he huddled in the four foot and survived with cuts and bruises. A really scary experience! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St1ngr4y Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 Wouldn't it be nice if one of the manufacturers brought out a "dummy" Class 20, so that a nose-to-nose pair could be used on a layout ? Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96RAF Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 North Norfolk Railway runs a London Underground 20, beautiful livery. https://www.nnrailway.co.uk/portfolio-items/class-20-20227/?portfolioCats=20%2C18%2C19%2C30%2C31%2C24%2C32%2C25 This runs both ways as there is no TT to swing it./media/tinymce_upload/2a775305ce0ef9f421f4458a07ec8fe3.png Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atom3624 Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 We need a 'LIKE' button.That looks great Rob, thanks for posting. Al. PS: In answer to the OP title, I suppose it's 'whichever way you want it to go' !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96RAF Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 I was sat at Weybourne station on the NNR in the summer listening to it burble past trying to compare it in my head to my TTS 20. I do the same with the MNR locos although now I have moved they do not pass my door, so I have to walk up to the station to hear them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkingthedog Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 We had them on our local line pulling new underground stock to Neasden depot. Two CL20 on the front and two on the back. Lovely sound. Like this. They came in several different liveries. /media/tinymce_upload/1d69f04cef205335a3b4a0a8ffe9182f.JPG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atom3624 Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 How old are they now?They must have at least 5 years on the Class 37's, which themselves are relatively ancient - for 'modern mainline stock'. Al. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkingthedog Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 First one 1957. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruffnut Thorston Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 "Dummy" unmotored class 20 models were once made by Wrenn, using the ex Hornby Dublo tools. I think that Lima may have also done this? In any case, an old Lima model, with the motor removed, would probably be the cheapest option? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorchester Yard Posted January 13, 2020 Author Share Posted January 13, 2020 We need a 'LIKE' button.That looks great Rob, thanks for posting. Al. PS: In answer to the OP title, I suppose it's 'whichever way you want it to go' !!i'll take that as a conclusion lol.i suppose all deisels can go either way it doesnt matter like you said. but i had my suspicion it ran with the cab at the back since i personally always saw them as the "big brother" to 08's due to that similar shape. anyone else see what i mean? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
81F Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 In any case, an old Lima model, with the motor removed, would probably be the cheapest option? Sadly Lima Class 20s are probably the more saught after models from that range with the cheapest buy it nows going for around £40 and more if you want plain Rail blue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruffnut Thorston Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 I suppose that has something to do with the Lima class 20 having a better motor arrangement, than the usual pancake motor? So.... there may be a market for unpowered locos. But that would be offset by the DCC contingent being able to use the same address for two locos, or probably better, if the controller allows, making up a 'consist'... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
81F Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 I must admit I wouldn't mind an unpowered one, it would make life so much simpler with DCC. One of my two green ones has had to have it's Chip reprogrammed so it's direction reversed so that the two candouble head nose to nose. This has prooved a bit confusing when trying to operate singlly as I keep forgetting which one is programmed in which direction! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorchester Yard Posted January 13, 2020 Author Share Posted January 13, 2020 see i suspected it was nose first because it has the "big brother" shape to an 08. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
81F Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 I once had to act as a "lookout" in an 08 during the late 1980s on a heritage railway when I was the only other person available. The view out towards the front from the cab was very restricted but returning backwards the driver could see everything. However, the controlls and guages in the 08 however were all aranged for running forward - unless you count those on the small belling hotplate! Perhapse the answer is to look at a class 20 cab interior or are they duplicated for either direction? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJ73 Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 I suppose it doesn't really matter - at the end of the day it's only a Model & you can see where it is going!!! @ L.C. :- Hey I've been to Barrow Hill a few Time & it is the only "Working Round House" left in Britian!!!I went there a few years ago & look what I bought... /media/tinymce_upload/46666b6555398daad9216b4478ae2fa1.JPG (TIP :- When taking a photo - Remember to put the S. D. Card in 1st before taking photo!!!) /media/tinymce_upload/0c9ba7a5369b35ca203539c0a2b5d401.JPG & this is the Box it came in... /media/tinymce_upload/141203a85baf0ecee22de48d9e2b4aa5.JPG Interestingly enough - it had some thing to do woth the National Railway Museum for some reason - I Think may be b/c Barrow Hill had it on Load from the N. R. M - Also I got a Blue T-Shirt with the L NE R Logo on it in Goldy Yellow!!! @ Atom :- I can't remember where I saw it but some one else on the Forum posted a photo - then some 1 else "copy & Past" a "Like" thumb from FaceBook (I think) &posted it underneith the photo!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atom3624 Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 Hi JJ, the thumbs up paste was quite recent, but I couldn't be bothered with the hassle of doing that each time!! Nice Compound JJ - love mine, and it's a very smooth runner as well. Al. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now