View source for BR Class 20 D8059

{{Infobox diesel loco
|image      = D8059 Severn Valley Railway.jpg
|caption    = D8059 at Kidderminster
|construc   = Robert Stephenson & Hawthorn Ltd, Darlington
|wheels     = Bo-Bo
|power      = Diesel Electric
|status     = Operational
|locono     = D8059
|othernos   = 20059
|designed   = English Electric
|locotype   = '''Class 20'''
|built      = 1967
|years1     = 2009
|events1    = Arrived on SVR
|years2     = 2010
|events2    = Power unit repaired at Washwood Heath
|years3     = 2017
|events3    = Left the SVR
|length     = 46ft 9&frac14;"
|weight     = 73t
}}
'''D8059''' is a BR Class 20 [[UIC classification | Bo-Bo]] diesel-electric locomotive, otherwise known as an English Electric Type 1. A brief description and history of the class can be found on the [[BR Class 20 20048|20048]] page.

== D8059 in service ==
D8059 was built by Robert Stephenson & Hawthorn Ltd as Works No 2965/8217 of 1961.   It was allocated to Sheffield Darnall on entering service in May 1961. In 1964 the loco was transferred to the newly-opened Tinsley Depot  and remained there until withdrawal from BR service in January 1990. The locomotive was renumbered to 20059 on 1 January 1973 under TOPS.<ref>[http://www.brdatabase.info/locoqry.php?action=locodata&type=D&id=8059&loco=8059 BRDatabase website]</ref>

== D8059 in preservation ==
Following BR service, 20059 was used by EWS. The locomotive’s present owner, the [[Somerset & Dorset Loco Company | Somerset & Dorset Locomotive Company]], was incorporated in 2000. An early photograph on the Preserved Diesels web site shows 20059 at the S&DLC base at Yeovil Junction in March 2002, shortly after delivery from the EWS Margam TMD<ref>[http://prsl.uk/uklocos/final-results.asp?action=display&Id=5635 UKLocos database]</ref>, South Wales ([http://www.preserved-diesels.co.uk/2004/20059_1.htm Link]). 

Subsequent photos on the same web site show restoration being carried out there until early 2004.  By December 2004 20059 had moved to Tyseley Locomotive Works where, after work on the fuel system, the locomotive was started in January 2006 ([http://www.preserved-diesels.co.uk/2006a/20059_1.htm Link]). The locomotive was still stored at Tyseley in July 2007 ([http://www.preserved-diesels.co.uk/2007d/20059_1.htm Link]), the month in which S&D's locomotive [[BR Class 20 D8188 | D8188]] first came to the SVR on loan. On 29 July 2009 the loco moved to Kidderminster and was undergoing bodywork restoration.<ref>[https://forum.svr-online.org.uk/viewtopic.php?p=17341#17341 SVR Online Forum], "20059" topic</ref><ref>[http://www.preserved-diesels.co.uk/2009b/20059_1.htm Preserved Diesels], photo captioned '20059 at undergoes bodywork restoration at Kidderminster. 10/8/09'</ref> In September 2010, the locomotive's power unit was removed for repairs at Washwood Heath,<ref>[https://forum.svr-online.org.uk/viewtopic.php?p=24006#24006 SVR Online Forum], "20059" topic</ref> with the locomotive returning to the SVR on 19 January 2011<ref>[https://forum.svr-online.org.uk/viewtopic.php?p=26572#26572 SVR Online Forum], "20059" topic</ref>.  The locomotive was most frequently used to haul PW trains or for moving rolling stock when a diesel is more convenient than a steam locomotive. From time to time D8059 was also called on to rescue failed locomotives, referred to as 'Thunderbird' duty.

In 2017 the locomotive toured several heritage railways. In June 2017 the locomotive was described as "operational, although no longer used by the SVR" and in September 2017 the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway announced it had joined their fleet.<ref>[http://www.svr.co.uk/MeetTheLoco.aspx?id=90 SVR "Meet The Loco" web page]</ref> By August 2021 D8085 was resident on the Mid-Hants Railway and had been joined by sister locomotive [[BR Class 20 D8188|D8188]]<ref>[https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/mid-hants-railway-operational-matters.908178/page-194 National Preservation Forum]</ref>.

<gallery>
D8059_Thunderbird_20150718.jpg | D8059 sporting a 'Thunderbird' headboard
</gallery>

== See also ==
[[Former Residents]]<br>
[[Somerset & Dorset Loco Company]]<br>
[[SVR-based diesel locomotives visiting other events]]<br>
[[Locomotives used on the Severn Valley Branch in commercial service|Classes of locomotives used on the Severn Valley Branch in commercial service]]

==References==
<references />

==Links==
[http://www.preserved-diesels.co.uk/engines/20059_index.htm 20059 on Preserved Diesels website]<br>
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_20 BR Class 20 on Wikipedia]

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