LMS Route: Nuneaton to Birmingham New Street

LMS Route: Birmingham New Street to Tamworth

Saltley Shed: mrsalt1592

British Railways Type 1 Bo-Bo D8111 stands outside of Saltley shed during the summer of 1969. Built by Robert Stephenson & Hawthorn Ltd in January 1962, D8111 was to remain in service until April 1987 when it was withdrawn to be scrapped by Vic Berry of Leicester. This English Electric Type 1 diesel-electric locomotive later became designated under TOPS as a Class 20 locomotive being renumbered 20 111. In total, 228 locomotives of the class were built by English Electric between 1957 and 1968, the large number being in part because of the failure of other early designs in the same power range to provide reliable locomotives. The locomotives were originally numbered D8000 to D8199 and D8300 to D8327. They are known by railway enthusiasts as 'Choppers', a name derived from the distinctive beat that the engine produced when under load which resembles the sound of a helicopter.

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