British Rail Class 20 diesel locomotives in action at the 2025 Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway Diesel Gala. | Schony747 Youtube & DVD

The Iconic Class 20 – The “Choppers” of British Rail! 🚂 If there’s one locomotive that earned its place in the hearts of railfans, it’s the mighty British Rail Class 20. Introduced in the late 1950s, these single-cab workhorses were tough, reliable, and instantly recognisable by that unmistakable “chopper” engine note. Designed for freight but loved for their character, Class 20s became a familiar sight across the network — often running in pairs nose-to-nose to give drivers better visibility.