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Hornby R3912

GBRf, Class 20/9, Bo-Bo, 20901 - Era 10

Manufacturer catalogue image - please note that pre-release images may be CAD renders or CGI images rather than photographs

Prototype Eras
Era 9 (1995 to 2004) Initial Privatisation
Era 10 (2005 to 2015) Rebuilding of the Railways
Era 11 (2016 to 2026) The Last Days of Privatisation

Manufacturer description

Built between 1957 and 1968 for use on light mixed freight trains, 228 English Electric Type 1 (later to become Class 20) locomotives were built. Affectionately known as 'Choppers', due to their distinctive engine sound, most of the class have now been retired from traffic but a few remain working, particularly with GBRf. Six locomotives were sold to Hunslet-Barclay and modified following withdrawal in 1989 for contract freight traffic and weed killing trains.

Subsequently sold on to DRS, 20901 and 20905 were purchased by the Harry Needle Railroad Company and were then hired to GBRf for transporting London Underground stock between London and Derby, being painted into GBRf Europorte's Blue and Gold livery for the duration of the contract.

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Catalogue listing

Model details

Prototype information

^* Class names often change over the lifespan of a locomotive, so this is not necessarily the class name used by the operator in the period modelled.

Hornby GBRf Class 20/9 model (number 20901) is an OO‑scale, Bo‑Bo diesel locomotive. It is supplied in a pristine blue livery with the GBRf Europorte blue and gold colours applied for its contractual use. The model carries an 8‑pin DCC ready socket, a three‑pole skew‑wound motor and has power pickup on all wheels. It uses a NEM coupling, measures 187 mm in length and is designed for a minimum curve radius of the second radius (438 mm). The manufacturer part number is R3912.

The prototype locomotive was built by English Electric at the Vulcan Foundry and Robert Stephenson & Hawthorns, with the design dating from 1989. It features a Bo‑Bo wheel arrangement, a maximum speed of 60 mph (75 mph on paper), and a diesel motive power source. The model includes a 20901 running number and is finished in blue.

The real Class 20 locomotives were produced between 1957 and 1968, with 228 units built for light mixed‑freight duties. Known as “Choppers” because of their distinctive engine note, most have been retired, though a few remain in service, notably with GBRf. Locomotive 20901 and its sister 20905 were sold to Hunslet‑Barclay in 1989, later transferred to DRS, and subsequently purchased by the Harry Needle Railroad Company. They were hired to GBRf for moving London Underground stock between London and Derby, during which time they wore the GBRf Europorte blue and gold livery.