Class 20 Mishaps

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In the 1980's and early 90's, Class 20 locomotives were frequent wisitors to Skegness hauling through trains, additionals, and excursions. Always working in pairs, unless things went awry.

Such an occasion took place on Saturday 14th July 1984 when, whilst working the 1E02 1041 Skegness to Sheffield, 20140 failed leaving 20227 to work solo, nose end first, as far as Nottingham. It is illustrated below awaiting departure at Boston (Photo: Barry Adams).
 
Another incident took place on 18th June 1988. 20029 and 20042 worked the 1E79 0718 Derby to Skegness, illustrated below before departure from Derby (Photo: Keith Mantle). 
As was the normal practice, once all passengers had alighted at Skegness, the train was reversed into the carriage sidings to enable the locomotives to be uncoupled and run around, then reattached to the far end, thence backed into the station with the locomotives at tbe correct end of the formation. It is illustrated below reversing into the sidings (Photo: Keith Mantle).
It was during this process that an air pipe was damaged on 20029. As a result, it was removed and placed into the platform 7 by 20042 (Photo: Keith Mantle).
This left 20042 to work solo as the 1E48 1015 Skegness to Sheffield as far as Nottingham, where it was replaced by another pair of class 20's, one of which also failed on its way to Sheffield. 20042 is seen at Skegness just before its departure (Photo: Keith Mantle).
20029 was left behind on platform 7 (Photos: Keith Mantle).
It clearly took some time for the Fitters to arrive as it was still there late afternoon (my photo).
20029 was originally D8029 and entered service at Leith depot on 28th December 1959. Having been based at Kittybrewster, Haymarket, Gateshead, and York, it ended its career at Immingham. It was withdrawn on 5th July 1991, and cut up by MC Metals, Springburn, on 3rd September 1993.

Saturday 19th June 1993, 20169 which had failed previously, was attached to the 1M86 1812 Skegness to Leicester hauled by 20032 and 20169. It is illustrated whilst passing Netherfield (Photos: 31252).
Another notable incident took place on the 28th July 1993, when 20118 and 20169 worked from Derby. 20169 again failed at Skegness and 20087 and 20132 were despatched from Toton to assist. In the meantime 20169 suddenly burst into life - so the train left quadruple headed. Some video footage of this can be seen here.

Just before departure at platform 6 in Skegness.
The quartet traverse the sharp curve at Firsby.

Another photo at Skegness just before departure (Photo: Martin Corbett).

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