Classic Traction Track Record Highs and lows of visiting ‘Choppers’

THE North Yorkshire Moors hosted four main line-registered Class 20s during September.

No. 20142 Sir John Betjeman in London Transport maroon livery and BR blue No. 20189 attended the September 11/12 diesel gala and helped out on the Whitby service. This was due to the nonavailability of Class 25

No. D7628 Sybilla and the continued delay in receiving Class 47077 North Star (RM Oct p79).

Nos. 20007 in BR green and 20205 in blue, arrived on September 22 with steam loco ‘A1’ No. 60163 Tornado and coaching stock forming 5Z20. This was an SLC Operations move, from Crewe Heritage Centre to the NYMR for the September 23-26 steam gala. They stayed at Grosmont until the 27th when they took Tornado and its support coach to the NRM, York.

Nos. 20142 and 20189 also departed on September 27, going to Network Rail, Derby RTC. No. 20142 soon returned to the NYMR, leaving Derby by road on October 8.

However, between the two galas, No. 20189 was involved in an incident when it ran into stationary dining stock at Grosmont station on September 21. This occurred at 10.32, the light loco travelling at about 10mph. Five passengers sustained minor injuries and there was some damage to the coaches. A preliminary examination by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch resulted in a safety digest being published.

CHRIS GEE A nostalgic scene, reminiscent of a Midlands’ diesel depot in the 1980s, but this is Grosmont shed, NYMR on September 24, during the railway’s steam gala. Three visiting Class 20s are on view, off duty, Nos. 20007, 20205 and 20189, with resident Class 24 No. D5061 on the right.