Class 20 310 DRS Blue

Class 20 310 DRS Blue

Details:

The Graham Farish Class 20/3 20310 in pristine DRS Blue brings one of the distinctive locomotives developed for Direct Rail Services to the N Scale model railway. Created using all-new tooling for the Class 20/3 bodyshells and solebars, this highly detailed model accurately captures the changes made during the Class 20/3 refurbishment programme. 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. A Next18 DCC decoder interface and pre-fitted speaker provide a modern control and sound-ready specification, while working lighting and extensive separately applied detailing add to the realistic appearance.

The Graham Farish Class 20/3 incorporates a coreless twin-shaft motor with two flywheels, all-axle drive, electrical pickup from all wheels and a diecast metal chassis block. The model has been designed for prototypical running speeds and haulage capabilities, with 9mm N Gauge wheels manufactured to NEM310 standards and NEM355-standard bogie-mounted coupling pockets. Detailing includes precision-moulded bodyshells, fully detailed bogies, separately fitted buffers, solebar steps, front grab irons, battery boxes, tanks and chassis pipework, plus an etched roof fan grille, metal wire handrails and cab interior detailing. Working lighting is switchable at either end on both DCC and analogue control.

For 20310 specifically, the model features multiple working jumper sockets at both ends, BMAC light clusters with high-level marker lights and drilled bogie equalising beams.

Features:

• Graham Farish N Scale Class 20/3 diesel locomotive
• Running number 20310 in pristine DRS Blue livery
• All-new Class 20/3 bodyshell and solebar tooling
• Next18 DCC decoder interface with pre-fitted speaker
• Working head, tail and top marker lights

Measurements & Specs:

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

Historical Background

The Class 20 originated from British Railways Board's 1955 Modernisation Plan. Introduced as the English Electric Type 1, the design proved highly successful and became BR's standard Type 1 diesel locomotive, with 228 examples built between 1957 and 1968. The locomotives were principally designed for freight work, but their single-cab configuration meant they were commonly operated in pairs, nose to nose, to provide the additional power required for heavier trains.

Following the gradual withdrawal of the Class 20 fleet, Direct Rail Services acquired 15 locomotives from RFS, which had been using them for track-laying trains associated with the Channel Tunnel project. A refurbishment programme was established, with the first five locomotives refurbished by Brush at Loughborough and numbered 20301 to 20305. These entered traffic by 1996.

A further ten Class 20/3 locomotives were created in 1998, with the work undertaken by Wabtec at Doncaster. Numbered 20306 to 20315, this second batch differed from the first five by having multiple working jumper sockets at both ends and a top marker light at either end. 20310 is one of these second-batch Class 20/3 locomotives and is represented by this Graham Farish model with its corresponding model-specific details.

The Class 20/3 fleet was primarily used by DRS on nuclear traffic, but also saw service on freight, infrastructure and intermodal workings. The locomotives have additionally been used for route learning, Railhead Treatment Trains, diverted passenger services and charter trains.