The society was formed in May 1981 with the intention to purchase an ex British Rail Class 20 BoBo diesel electric locomotive for preservation. Sadly although the locomotives were probably British Rail's greatest bargain and the oldest surviving members of the class are now over 44 years old, they no longer have a regular presence on the mainline. The fact that the locomotives survived this long is a measure of the success of these superb machines, and it allowed the Class 20 Locomotive Society time to increase its financial strength. In fact so much so that we are now the proud owners of 20 001, the 2nd prototype built, 20 227, the last delivered Class 20 and which was the only preserved diesel in Railfreight livery until being repainted in Metropolitan maroon, and finally 20 205, a superb machine with no historical significance!
We hope you will join us and give yourself the opportunity to help in the preservation of our examples of one of Britain's most highly regarded locomotives. They are not the most powerful, or even the most glamourous to some people, but they undoubtedly hold a very significant place in the history of railway traction, being the first mainline diesel fleet on British Railways back in 1957.
The Society often finds itself pushing back the frontiers of preservation. It ran the first preserved Class 20 hauled passenger train plus the first preserved diesel hauled railtour on the mainline, and it is heavily involved in hiring locomotives out on various contracts which have included the Channel Tunnel, the London Underground, and rolling stock crash tests.
We try to be more than some societies which simply talk about their chosen locomotives, and our varied social events bring together the wide interests of our members. Events include visits to unusual railway installations such as the Bicester Military Railway, slideshows, an AGM, railtours hauled by class 20s when possible (for example the famous triple-headed "Three To The Sea!"), and even a Christmas Dinner plus the occasional Sports Day against other societies! We have a well stocked sales stand at many Open Days, and a sub group owns two rare pre-Nationalisation brake vans and a BR MkII FK carriage which live at Butterley along with the locos. Members are encouraged to work on the locomotives at regular working weekends and there is the opportunity to learn new skills including second-manning the locos on running days. Members receive quarterly copies of the Society newsletter "20/20 Vision", featuring rail reports, visits reports, quizzes, humorous articles and technical articles about the locomotives. Most issues are over 20 pages in size.
For a membership form, please goto the membership page.
Page updated 27/05/2005