20048 sold to Class 20189 Ltd

THE MIDLAND Class 20 Association has completed the sale of its loco (20048) to Michael Owen’s Class 20189 Ltd, which already owns main line registered 20189.

The Association was formed in 1989 and purchased 20048 in 1991. With ownership now reaching 30 years, it matches the time 20048 was in BR service. Delivered new to Hornsey Depot on December 31, 1959, the loco was withdrawn from Bescot in 1990 after only a few months at that West Midlands depot. One of the first diesels repainted into British Rail blue, it ran for a time with the BR double arrows reversed after an incorrect application.

During its 30 years it has visited a variety of railways and also undertaken two stints of Channel Tunnel work, initially as RFS 2014 working on the Channel Tunnel itself and then as D8048 on the High Speed 1 link electrification trains.

While the Association is sad to be selling the loco, the move does secure its future and ensures it will continue to run for the benefit of others. Having sold the Class 20, the Association is also in a position to dispose of its large pool of spares through traction adverts, including a complete power unit from sister loco 20213.

Class 20 20048 at the Midland Railway Centre – Butterley on August 28, 2011. The ‘Chopper’ has been sold to Class 20189 Ltd, where it will join sister loco 20189. (Wikimedia Commons/nottsexminer)