​CHOPPER THROTTLING UP! BR Blue Class 20 Number 20189 Arrives Light Engine at Kidderminster

​Class 20189 Ltd owned (in the care of Michael Owen) Class 20 diesel-electric Bo-Bo locomotive number 20189 was built in 1967 by English Electric at their Vulcan Foundry plant in Newton-le-Willows, entering traffic with British Railways as D8189. Powered by a single English Electric 8SVT eight-cylinder four-stroke turbocharged diesel engine producing 1,000 brake horsepower, this iconic Type 1 asset utilizes an English Electric DC transmission system. Universally nicknamed a "Chopper" by railfans due to the distinctive helicopter-like exhaust beat produced by its engine design, this 73-tonne mainline-registered classic is capable of a maximum speed of 75 mph and exerts a starting tractive effort of 42,000 lbf.
​The locomotive looks absolutely pristine following its high-quality repaint into classic corporate BR Blue livery featuring full yellow ends. Complete with crisp white running numbers, this clean look beautifully preserves the standard gritty aesthetic seen across the British Rail network in the 1970s and 1980s. Operating as a light locomotive, 20189 is captured here arriving into Kidderminster station and throttling up as it moves through the station area. The English Electric engine roars as it heads further down the line to collect a rake of passenger carriages waiting in the platform, with the collection move taking place just after this captured moment.

This action shot seen in 8K 16:9 widescreen catches the locomotive wrapping up the final day of the Severn Valley Railway Spring Diesel Gala on Sunday 17/05/2026 at 18:45.
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