Hundreds of rail enthusiasts turned out at stations and lineside locations today as a pair of heritage diesel locomotives made their way through the county on a farewell railtour.

Many of those enthusiasts chose Leeds station as their viewing point, with the historic Class 20 locomotives stopping there at around 1pm this afternoon.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Those who thought the Pacers were an ageing relic of the British Rail era may be surprised to learn that a class of locomotives built in the 1950s and 60s are still in revenue-earning service on the mainline network in 2020.

Onlookers said 20-305 and 20-302 made a "fantastic noise" as they hauled the Pathfinder Tours train out of Leeds, with the platforms packed with admiring fanatics.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Photos and video by Jordan Bell 

Their owner, DRS, came into being in 1995, with five class 20s forming its initial fleet, growing to 15 at one point as these characterful type 1 diesels were kept busy on a variety of freight flows.

Then came rationalisation and a reduction to just a handful of remaining 20s for a soon-to-finish Network Rail contract, hence today's 'DRS Class 20 Farewell Tour.'

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

For many decades, the Class 20s were a familiar sight on the rails of Yorkshire, attracting a strong following of enthusiasts due to their distinctive engine sound and unique look, with a cab at one end and nose at the other. Over 200 were built, with the pair diagrammed for today's special being around 60 years old.

Here are a selection of archive pictures of Class 20s, never published before.......

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

In the snow at Buxton depot in the 1980s

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

On a freight at New Mills South Jct, in High Peak, Derbyshire, viewed from Marsh Lane 

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

A special approaches Furness Vale signal box, near the junction of Station Road and the A6, travelling from Newtown towards Whaley Bridge 

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

A remarkable working as four 20s haul Intercity stock through Gow Hole, approaching the bridge on Ladypitt Road/Dolly Lane, in the early 1990s

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

A pair of 20s, possibly in Cheshire 

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

A smart pair of 20s in newly-applied railfreight livery at Buxton 

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

A freight rolls down the hill from Buxworth towards New Mills, pictured near Meadows Farm 

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

A snowy scene on the Sheffield-Manchester line 

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Snowplough duties on the Buxton branch line at Furness Vale 

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

A scene at a 1990s open day 

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

A freight under the wires 

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

On the weed killer at Doncaster 

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

An eye-catching livery 

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

20s entering preservation 

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

A scene on the East Lancashire Railway