D8142 / 20142

General Info

Built

English Electric, 1966

Lot no.

???

Engine

English Electric 8SVT of 1000hp at 850rpm

Transmission

Electric - four English Electric 526/5D axle-hung motors

Power at Rail

770hp

Tractive Effort

42000lbf max; 25000lbf cont at 11mph

Wheels

Bo-Bo

Weight

74t

Max Speed

75mph

Train Brakes

Vacuum and air

Train Heat

None

Depot and Sector Allocations

Birmingham Division

D02

21/05/1966

London Midland - Line Power Controller Derby

LMML

01/1968

Nottingham Division

D16

06/1968

Toton

TO

05/1973

TOPS number 20142

03/1974

Tinsley

TI

01/1977

Toton

TO

02/1977

Stored

02/1983

Reinstated Toton

22/01/1984

Freight Power Station Coal Class 20

FEND

Freight Power Station Coal Class 20

FEFN

22/01/1989

Stored (U)

28/02/1992

Trainload Freight Coal Class 20 Stored

FEXX

28/02/1992

Trainload Freight Coal Stored

FCXX

24/01/1993

Withdrawn

23/07/1993

Llangollen

17/10/1994

This locomotive is owned and operated by the diesel group.

Transferred 11th Sept 2007 by John Rutter - email webmaster

Above: D8142 at work on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link whilst on hire during 2002. (Robin Johnson)

Our example of this class was delivered on 21st May 1966 to Birmingham Division. Originally intended for working branch line freight services, having only 1000hp on tap, later years saw the class transferred to coal trains in permanently-coupled pairs as the branch line freight dwindled. Slow-speed working equipment was fitted for operation of the MGR (merry-go-round) trains, as they had to be moved through a power station at constant (low) speed for unloading. Towards the end of their lives, some of the class could be found on summer passenger workings.

Above: D8142 rolls into Glyndyfrdwy witb a Friday timetable 'A' working on 16th June 2000. (Keith Langston)

Initially, the diesel group had intended to purchase 20143, but this was cut up in error by a scrapyard, leaving only around six square feet of the cab side. Attention then turned to 20142. Withdrawn in July 1993, the loco was stored for a period, before being moved to MC metals for asbestos contamination checks. All the cab interior was stripped out in the process, leaving a little work to be done once it made it to Llangollen. After arrival at Llangollen on 17th October 1994, a number of missing parts had to be sourced and fitted before it could be used. This was rapidly achieved, and subsequent improvements included the refitting of the train description blinds and removal of the remains of the slow-speed control gear.

Above: Visitor 20020 from the Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway works in multiple with D8142 (now as 20142) past Garth-y-dwr during the 1999 diesel gala. The sound of the two working up from Deeside was worth hearing! (Ken Robinson)

During 1995, D8142 was repainted into green with small yellow warning panels. It was also 'called up' to Long Marston for a period of a few weeks where it was employed on shunting duties. Another expedition was to the Gloucester and Warwickshire Railway for their diesel galal in 1996. In 1999 full yellow ends were added, and TOPS number 20142, to match that year's diesel gala visitor, 20020 from the Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway. Its main use is on shunting duties and engineering trains.

Above: D8142 passes Pentrefelin Yard during the April 1998 diesel gala. (Brian Jones)

D8142 leaving Glyndyfrdwy en route to Llangollen during the Diesel Gala on 17th March 2007

Photo - Mark Riley

2007 is the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the EE class 1 (class 20) locomotive and the Brush type 2 (Class 31) locomotive.The event is being celebrated in May at the Midland Railway Centre at Butterley.

The Class 20 Website and the Gala Website give details.

D8142’s last trip as a Llangollen Railway locomotive on 7th December 2008.

The loco is seen on the Shed ramp at Goods Junction and at Carrog.

All Photos - Tez Pickthall

Despite the sub-zero temperatures, several dedicated Souls braved unheated stock to join us today in giving D8142 a fitting send off for her 14 years in residence on the Llangollen Railway. The old girl performed impeccably.
Thanks to the generosity of our guests, we managed to raise £200 for both the Llangollen Railway and our restoration funds for our remaining locomotives.

D8142 is booked to leave Llangollen by road tomorrow, although I understand her destination may not be the GCR as suggested on the news page last week. I can confirm the new owner is Michael Owen, current owner of sister loco 20189.

Ken Carr from Visions International was on hand to record the event, hence the use of the Carry On Clagging headboard you see in photos.

Llangollen, November 28th 2008 - Tez Pickthall. Publicity Officer

D8142: THE WHISTLING WARDROBE FESTIVE FAREWELL

Following the announcement on our website in September confirming the result of a

members and shareholders ballot, the Llangollen Diesel Group can announce that

Class 20 No D8142 (20142) has been sold and will leave the Llangollen Railway in

December for further use elsewhere

For further details, please see our website.

http://www.llangollen-diesels.co.uk/

or contact Tez Pickthall