‘Choppers’ sold, hired, and returned to service

THE Midland Class 20 Association has sold its ‘Chopper’ No. 20048 to Class 20189 Ltd.

Preserved in 1991, the loco is part-way through an overhaul, having been stopped in 2016. It is the second previously preserved ‘20’ to have been bought by its new owner, the firm having acquired No. 20142 from the Llangollen Diesel Group in 2008.

The MCTA’s collection of spares, which includes a complete power unit, is being sold separately.

Elsewhere, the Class 20 Locomotive Society’s London Transport liveried No. 20227 left the North Norfolk Railway on March 25, being moved to Butterley for main line use as cover for No. 20189, which has been stopped after a main generator failure.

It may return to the NNR but looks likely to miss the heritage line’s mixed traffic gala in July.

Meanwhile, Harry Needle Railroad Company’s No. D8110 (20110) moved from Worksop to the Battlefield Line on March 17. It is being returned to service and, from May, should share passenger duties with No. 33201.