Class 20 Gallery

The British Rail Class 20 (or English Electric Type 1) was built between 1957 and 1968 as part of the British Rail modernisation plan. A total of 228 locomotives were built. The 73-tonne locomotives produce around 1,000 horsepower and can operate at up to 75 mph. The locomotives have proved to be incredibly versatile in their usage, they found the niche hauling heavy coal trains in pairs to power stations in the midlands. They also found work on summer passenger diagrams and became popular with enthusiasts. As the coal fields gradually closed many of the class were withdrawn and cut up in the 90’s however after privatisation the class had a revival. They helped haul construction trains for the Channel Tunnel, and High Speed 1 &2. Direct Rail Services overhauled a fleet of 15 locomotives for use on their nuclear traffic. Their light weight design and low route availability allowed them to visit most branches in the UK which made them an ideal locomotive for this type of work. The Class 20s also hold the record for the most travelled British locomotive when three Class 20/9’s (20901, 902 and 903) were used on the Kosovo Train for Life charter in 1999, taking 800 tonnes of aid to war torn Bosnia. It was an incredible journey which will probably never be repeated. Class 20’s have also found industrial work within Scunthorpe Steel Works, and Blue Circle Cement, they have been used a docks shunters, hauled Rail Head Treatment Trains, London Tube Stock transfers, Enthusiast Charters, and have even hauled the Royal Train. The Class continues to be incredibly useful to the privatised railway and preservationists. While they may be 60 years old but their simple design and ‘go anywhere’ capability allows them to re-invented for new railway uses. This gallery showcases some of the Class 20’s which have passed through Taunton’s platforms over the years.

18th July 2026 The Branchline Society/ Hastings Diesels operated 'The Cotswold and Exmoor Explorer' charter on the 18th July 2026. The six-car Hastings set, formed of powercars No.60119 and No. 60118 'Tunbridge Wells', operated 1Z26 15:30 Hastings - Minehead, pictured arriving onto the West Somerset Railway. (Photo: Adam Hiscock)

3rd July 2026 Locomotive Services Ltd Class 20 locomotives No.20132 and No. 20118 'Saltburn by the Sea' pass Broomhay Crossing on Friday 3rd July 2026. Having delivered LNER A4 Pacific No. 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley' to the West Somerset Railway the previous day, the pair collected LNER B1 No. 61306 'Mayflower' operating 5Z61 11:38 Bishops Lydeard - Southall. (Photo: Shaun Mockridge)

3rd July 2026 Having delivered LNER A4 Pacific No. 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley' to the West Somerset Railway the previous day, Class 20 locomotives No.20132 and No. 20118 'Saltburn by the Sea' collected B1 No. 61306 'Mayflower' on the 3rd July 2026. The convoy was captured passing the former site of Creech St Michael Halt. The colourful train was running as the 5Z61 11:38 Bishops Lydeard to Southall Loco Services Ltd running via St Philips Marsh Depot for water replenishment. (Photo: S A Ginn)

3rd July 2026 Locomotive Services Ltd Class 20 locomotives No. 20118 'Saltburn by the Sea' and No.20132 make a fine sight in the early morning sunlight at Norton Fitzwarren on Friday, 3rd July 2026. Having delivered LNER A4 Pacific No. 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley' to the West Somerset Railway the previous day, the pair collected LNER B1 No. 61306 'Mayflower' operating 5Z61 11:38 Bishops Lydeard - Southall. (Photo: Adam Snow)

2nd July 2026 LSL Railfreight Grey Class 20 locomotives returned to Somerset on the 2nd July 2026, hauling LNER A4 Pacific No. 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley' back to the West Somerset Railway. No.20132, No. 20118 'Saltburn by the Sea' operated 5Z07 08:50 Crewe - Bishops Lydeard to deliver the steam locomotive ready for a weekend of passenger operations on the West Somerset Railway. (Photo: Tony Hayman)

2nd July 2026 Making their first visit to the West Somerset Railway, Jeremy Hoskins' Class 20 locomotives No.20132 and No. 20118 'Saltburn by the Sea' pass Longlands Farm delivering LNER A4 Pacific No. 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley' back to the West Somerset Railway. The colourful combination operating as 5Z07 08:50 Crewe - Bishops Lydeard. The A4 Pacific will be operating passenger services on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th on the West Somerset Railway. (Photo: Lee Robbins)

2nd July 2026 Railfreight Grey Class 20 locomotives No.20132 and No. 20118 'Saltburn by the Sea' with LNER A4 Pacific No. 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley' in tow approach Taunton at Creech St Michael on 2nd July 2026. The convoy heading for the West Somerset Railway was running as the 5Z07 08:50 Crewe to Bishops Lydeard. (Photo: S A Ginn)

2nd July 2026 LSL Railfreight Grey Class 20 locomotives returned to Somerset on the 2nd July 2026, hauling LNER A4 Pacific No. 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley' back to the West Somerset Railway. No.20132, No. 20118 'Saltburn by the Sea' operated 5Z07 08:50 Crewe - Bishops Lydeard to deliver the steam locomotive ready for a weekend of passenger operations on the West Somerset Railway, pictured here passing Banklands on the approach to Cogload Junction. (Photo: Paul Wilkins)

25th June 2026 British Rail Class 20 locomotives No. 20118 'Saltburn by the Sea' and No.20132 make a rare appearance through Taunton in the 35-degree temperatures on the 25th June 2026. The pair were returning the empty stock from the previous day's Welsh Marches Express charter, as 5Z65 13:38 Goodrington - Crewe. (Photo: Paul Clarke)

25th June 2026 Returning north through Taunton in the blistering 35-degree heat, Locomotive Services Ltd Class 20 locomotives make a very rare appearance operating through the Taunton area. No. 20118 'Saltburn by the Sea' (formerly preserved on the South Devon Railway) and No.20132 operated 5Z65 13:38 Goodrington - Crewe, returning the empty stock from the previous day's Welsh Marches Express charter. (Photo: Jason Prole)

21st October 2025 Locomotive Services Ltd BR Green Class 20s No.20107 and No.20096 are pictured stabled in Platfrom 1 at Bishops Lydeard on the 21st October having operating 5Z30 09:40 Crewe - Bishops Lydeard on the 20th October 2025. (Photo: Phil Izzard)

21st October 2025 In a very lucky patch of sun, Locomotive Services Ltd Class 20 locomotives No.20096 and No.20107 pass Broomhay Crossing on the 21st October 2025 hauling No. 5029 'Nunney Castle' (In Light Steam) back to Crewe for Winter maintenance. The Class 20 locomotives were operating as 5Z30 10:15 Bishops Lydeard - Crewe HS compelte with Mk1 support coach in tow. (Photo: Shaun Mockridge)

20th October 2025 Locomotive Services Ltd Class 20 locomotives No.20107 (D8107) and No.20096 (D8096) travelled to the West Somerset Railway on Monday 20th October 2025 with a support coach. The locomotives are pictued passing Longlands Farm operating as 5Z30 09:40 Crewe - Bishops Lydeard, upon arrival they stabled in the main platform area where the next day they would collect LSL steam chater locomotive No. 5029 'Nunney Castle' to return to Crewe for winter maintenance. (Photo: Shaun Mockridge)

30th September 2025 Operated by Rail Adventure with Romic Group Class 20 locomotives No.20205 leads No.20007 not through Creech St Michael on the 30th September 2025. The pair operated as 6Q75 16:00 Fairwater Yard - Burton Wetmore Sidings moving the main ballast cutting machine away from Fairwater Yard. The machine was once part of the impressive High Output Ballast Cleaner with arms that extneded out to remove ballast from under the track and conveying spent ballast into wagons behind. Both the Network Rail HOBC and TRT(TRS) sets are no long in operation with wagons being sold, stored and even cut up. (Photo: Russell Ayre)

30th September 2025 Rail Adventure operated Class 20 locomotives No.20007 and No.20205 extract part of the Network Rail HOBC set from Fairwater Yard on Tuesday 30th September 2025. The pair then operated 6Q75 16:00 Fairwater Yard - Burton Wetmore Sidings. (Photo: Shaun Mockridge)

16th August 2025 UK Railtours operated 'The West Somerset Railway' charter on Saturday 16th August 2025 using the Hastings DEMU. The Hastings DEMUs are from a class of 23 diesel-electric trains built in the late 1950’s to replace steam-hauled stock operating between London and Hastings via Tunbridge Wells. The six-coach units, incorporating diesel generators at each end, were unique in having especially narrow bodies which enabled them to pass through the unusually narrow tunnels on the Hastings line. They were finally withdrawn in 1986. 1013 'County of Dorset' (No.60119) formed with 60529, 70262, 69337, 60528, and No. 60118 'Tunbridge Wells' is pictured passing Creech St Michael operating as 1Z13 07:02 Tongbidge - Minehead. The set was an hour late due to an incident prior to departure requiring BTP attendance. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

27th September 2024 English Electric Class 20 locomotives No.20189 and No.20142 pass Bradford on Tone on Friday 27th September 2024. Having hauled Vintage Trains charter 'The Mayflower' from Birmingham to Bristol the two locomotives handed over to two Castle Class steam locomotives before running light engine ahead of the charter for insurance purposes. The BR Blue and London Transport liveried pairing are pictured passing Cogload Junction operating as 0Z21 09:42 Bristol East Depot - Laira TMD. (Photo: Phil Izzard)

27th September 2024 English Electric Class 20 locomotives No.20189 and No.20142 made a rare appearance in the Taunton area on Friday 27th September 2024. Having hauled Vintage Trains charter 'The Mayflower' from Birmingham to Bristol the two locomotives handed over to two Castle Class steam locomotives before running light engine ahead of the charter for insurance purposes. The BR Blue and London Transport liveried pairing are pictured passing Cogload Junction operating as 0Z21 09:42 Bristol East Depot - Laira TMD. (Photo: Shaun Mockridge)

8th June 2024 BR Blue Class 20 No.20189 leads London Transport classmate No.20142 through Doniford Halt on the 8th June 2024. The pair were operating the 14:21 Norton Fitzwarren - Minehead service during the 2024 Diesel Gala. (Photo: Antony Christie)

8th June 2024 Visiting Class 20 locomotives No.20189 and No.20142 are pictured at Blue Anchor on Saturday 8th June 2024 waiting to depart to Minehead. The pair were operating the 09:30 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead service during the 2024 Diesel Gala event. (Photo: Brian Garrett)

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