Class 20 306 DRS Blue

Class 20 306 DRS Blue

Details:

The Graham Farish Class 20/3 20306 in pristine DRS Blue is an N Scale model of one of the distinctive locomotives created for Direct Rail Services during the 1990s. Produced using all-new tooling for the Class 20/3 bodyshells and solebars, this model accurately represents the modifications made to the prototype during its refurbishment. The model features a coreless twin-shaft motor with two flywheels driving both bogies, all-axle drive, electrical pickup from all wheels and a diecast metal chassis block. It is fitted with a Next18 DCC decoder interface and a speaker, while working lighting and extensive separately fitted detail add further realism to this modern-era N Gauge locomotive.

The Graham Farish Class 20/3 combines an accurate model-specific body with a detailed and capable mechanism. The locomotive has a coreless twin-shaft motor with two flywheels, all-axle drive, electrical pickup from all wheels and a diecast metal chassis. The model-specific details for 20306 include multiple working jumper sockets at both ends, BMAC light clusters with high-level marker lights and drilled bogie equalising beams. Other detailing includes precision-moulded bodywork, separately fitted buffers, battery boxes, tanks and chassis pipework, metal wire handrails, an etched roof fan grille and a detailed cab interior. The working lighting can be switched at either end when operated on DCC or analogue control.

Features:

• Graham Farish N Scale Class 20/3 diesel locomotive
• Running number 20306 in pristine DRS Blue livery
• All-new Class 20/3 bodyshell and solebar tooling
• Next18 DCC decoder interface with pre-fitted speaker
• Working directional lighting with model-specific light details

Measurements & Specs:

• Length: 104mm over couplings
• Minimum radius: 263.5mm (second radius)

Historical Background

The Class 20 originated from the British Railways Board's 1955 Modernisation Plan. Developed as an English Electric Type 1, the design proved successful and became BR's standard Type 1 diesel locomotive, with 228 examples built between 1957 and 1968. Primarily intended for freight work, the single-cab locomotives were frequently operated in pairs, nose to nose, to provide the additional power required for heavier trains.

As Class 20s were progressively withdrawn from BR service, Direct Rail Services acquired 15 locomotives for its operations. The first five were refurbished by Brush at Loughborough and became Class 20/3 locomotives numbered 20301 to 20305, entering traffic by 1996. A further ten Class 20/3s, numbered 20306 to 20315, were created in 1998 following refurbishment work at Doncaster. The second batch differed from the first five by having multiple working jumper sockets at both ends and top marker lights at either end.

20306 therefore belongs to the second batch of Class 20/3 locomotives and is specifically represented by this Graham Farish model with its twin multiple working jumper sockets, BMAC light clusters with high-level marker lights and drilled bogie equalising beams. Class 20/3 locomotives were used by DRS on nuclear traffic as well as freight, infrastructure and intermodal workings, while also undertaking route learning, Railhead Treatment Trains, diverted passenger services and charter work.