Reading Signal Works
Originally known simply as 20, Ruston & Hornsby 4wDM 97020 was built in 1957 for use in Reading Signal Works and remained there all its working life. It was tricky to see as the yard was not visible from passing trains. By the time this photo was taken, through the bars of an overbridge, the shunter was on borrowed time as its replacement, Barclay Class 06 No. 06003, had arrived in Reading from Scotland See image 22416. 97020 never did leave this yard, being broken up there by a contractor in August 1982. The Signal Works closed later in the 1980s. Postscript: In 2023 Hornby released a 00 gauge model of this loco in BR Blue livery with its original '20' number.
Location: Reading Signal Works
Original line: Great Western Railway
Photographer: Mark Bartlett
Contact photographer: Mark Bartlett
Date: 18/07/1981
Image number: 22413
