Class 20 No. 20227 Sherlock Holmes Hauling a 16 Wagon Mineral Demonstration Train With Brake Vans

British Rail Class 20 No. 20227 (Sherlock Holmes) in London Transport Livery
Constructed by English Electric at the Vulcan Foundry in Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire in February 1968 (works number EE3795/VFD1189, entering traffic as D8327 as the very final locomotive built of the 228-strong English Electric Type 1 fleet, and later renumbered under TOPS as 20227 in December 1973), 20227 is a 58-year-old Bo-Bo diesel-electric locomotive owned and maintained by the Class 20 Locomotive Society (C20LS). Powered by a 1,000 hp (746 kW) English Electric 8CSVT 8-cylinder turbocharged four-stroke diesel engine driving four axle-hung English Electric traction motors, the 73-tonne locomotive delivers a maximum starting tractive effort of 42,000 lbf (187 kN), a continuous tractive effort of 25,000 lbf (111 kN), an operational top speed of 75 mph (121 km/h), and an onboard fuel capacity of 2,270 litres (500 imperial gallons). Locomotive 20227 is immaculately turned out in London Transport heritage maroon livery featuring polished gold waistline lining, classic London Underground roundels, and full yellow warning cab front ends. The locomotive proudly carries cast bodyside nameplates reading Sherlock Holmes, commemorating its extensive mainline work for London Underground including track renewal contracts, rail tour operations, and heritage services celebrating the Metropolitan line.

Demonstration Freight Consist: 16 Mineral Wagons & 3 Goods Brake Vans
Trailing directly behind 20227 is an authentic demonstration mineral freight consist formed of two leading brake vans, 16 unfitted wagons, and a single brake van on the rear. Coupled immediately behind the locomotive are British Railways standard 20-ton goods brake vans B954546 and B954268 (constructed to BR Diagram 1/506 with steel underframes, timber bodies, full-length running stepboards, and open end verandas). These lead a 16-wagon rake of traditional 16-ton all-steel mineral wagons (built to BR Diagram 1/108), featuring side-hung double doors, end tipping doors, and traditional loose three-link couplings operating without continuous automatic vacuum or air train braking. Bringing up the rear of the rake is preserved goods brake van M730562, an authentic London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) 20-ton brake van built at Derby Works in 1938 to Lot No. 1104, reflecting the historic Midland Railway design tradition with a 16-foot wheelbase, ducket observation lookouts, and London Midland Region numbering.

Departing Rothley Station Bound for Loughborough Central
Seen in 8K 16:9 widescreen departing Rothley station on Saturday, 5th of September 2026 at 13:04 during the Great Central Railway's Autumn Diesel Gala, London Transport-liveried Class 20 No. 20227 (Sherlock Holmes) works the 13:00 demonstration mineral freight service from Rothley Brook Sidings to Loughborough Central. Accelerating northwards through the platforms onto the double-track mainline, the English Electric 8CSVT turbocharged power unit notches up under load, emitting its characteristic rhythmic 'chopper' engine note and a steady haze of diesel exhaust. The 58-year-old locomotive draws the heavy loose-coupled formation through the station throat, with the two leading BR standard brake vans B954546 and B954268 preceding the 16 clattering mineral wagons and LMS brake van M730562 bringing up the tail on a warm, sunny autumn afternoon.

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