After the quiet spell of no transfers in 1961 this year proved to be much busier.
Camden (1B) received five of Longsight's fleet during the year: D5134 in January & D5135 in March - these both returned to Longsight in November, replaced at Camden by D5140 & D5141. Lastly D5142 had moved to Camden in February, but was quickly transferred to Derby (17A) in March, its stay here was brief, by the end of the month it was back at Camden. It returned to Longsight during April.
During April D5133 made a brief visit to Derby Works, then in June it was loaned to Carlisle Canal (12C) for crew training, frequently working the Silloth branch alongside Canal's ex-LMS 2-6-4T's. Its stay here was brief, returning to Longsight (9A) during July. During October it was transferred to Crewe (5A).
1963
A large number of Longsight's allocation visited Derby Works off and on during the year. In September D5133/5134/5135/5137 were all present whilst by November D5134/5136/5137/5141 were noted in the Workshops.
The large allocation of Type 2’s handling the passenger services out of Euston were frequently idle over the weekends. They were often utilised on engineering trains and excursions, typical of the latter was the visit of D5140/5146 from Northampton to Margate on June 16th.
1964
Transfers in 1964 were but two, D5142 to Derby (16C) during March and D5134 to Watford (1F) in December.
1965
January 9th saw over 5,000 tickets issued for the local Aston Villa - Coventry football match. Eleven specials were provided whilst D5134 on the daily Lowestoft - Birmingham had its load doubled at Rugby to 12 coaches, with the service extended to Witton!
During May - July D5140 & D5142 were both in Derby Works for repair.
Transfers were again few D5134 returned to Longsight during May then on to Watford (1F) in November. During December D5140 moved to Bletchley (1E) whislt D5141 moved to 2F.
1966
D5133 visited Derby Works during February & March, after outshopping it was transferred to (1E). D5134 returned to Longsight during April, then at year's end it was transferred to Willesden (D01).
At the end of the summer timetable D5133/5140 & 5141 were transferred to the Stoke Division (D05) as part of the large fleet of Type 2's that would soon become very familiar to this region. By early December the majority of the steam workings had ceased on the Shrewsbury - Aberystwyth line with the exception of the up & down Cambrian Coast Expresses, handled usually by Class 5’s 75012/29/60. Effective December 5th Chester & Crewe depots became home to a number Class 24’s, recently reallocated to Stoke Division (D05), whilst Holyhead depot closed to steam. The Class 24’s took over all freight workings along the North Wales coast. Likewise the passenger workings fell into the hands of reallocated EE Type 4’s, at a stroke steam became a rarity along the North Wales coast. As the New Year began Shrewsbury diagrammed Class 24’s to handle the Cambrian freight workings, on January 2nd 1967 D5073 handled the 04.20 to Aberystwyth, D5140 the 05.00 to Machynlleth and D5144 the 07.25 to Newtown.
1967
Buxton depot received D5091, D5135/37 for crew training and banking duties at Peak Forest at the end of February. These machines would work alongside the small pool of Class 25's working the Northwich - Tunstead ICI block trains.
D5134 returned to Longsight during March.
The Easter weekend provided much additional work for steam in the north-west. Huddersfield witnessed a multitude of steam extras including a none too healthy 73035 on a Manchester - Leeds relief. On the return working substitution came in the shape of D5135, putting up a creditable performance across the Pennines with ten coaches. Sister machine D5134 visited Huddersfield on Easter Tuesday hauling an afternoon relief from Darlington.
1968
During January the 17.45 Manchester Victoria – Glasgow was frequently hauled by D5142 as far as Preston
Whilst working a Liverpool - Manchester service on March 7th D5134 was noted on fire near Allerton.
5136 was noted at Derby Works during June for a general repair.
The reallocation of many of the Class 24's to the Stoke Division continued during 1968 including 5134-5139 & 5142 during November. With this set of transfers 5133 - 5142 were now again all allocated to the same depot, these were also their last transfers.
1969
Chaos reigned at Chester in the early hours of July 9th after the 02.25 Birkenhead - Etruria iron ore train, weighing approximately 1,000 tons and hauled by 1617 was reported out of control and diverted into the diesel depot to avoid the station area. Two locomotives and eleven wagons were derailed, with 5031/43/93 & 5138/39 extensively damaged. The crew escaped major injury, though were treated for shock, not surprisingly. The latter four machines were quickly placed to store at Chester and then withdrawn during August,
1970
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Not sure of the date on this one but it is probably about 1970 judging by the condition of the locomotive. The paintwork looks like its little changed since it was outshopped from new apart from the yellow warning panel. It looks like D5140 won't be leaving Springs Branch immediately, it has no fuel tank.
Photograph courtesy Tom Sutch. |
Although the majority of the featured locomotives visited Derby Works for their repairs 5135 was noted in Crewe Works during January.
Chester depot, the scene of the runaway ore train the previous July, had moved the damaged Class 24’s, 5043/93, 5138/39 during February to sidings near the station, where they were in the process of being stripped for spares, including the power units. Parked with them were retired Class 12 shunters 12036/37/48. During April 5138/5139 were broken up at Cashmores, Tipton.
The use of a Ministry of Transport grant to permit the running of scheduled services over the Cambrian Lines on Sundays was handled by dmu sets, with two of the services being extended to/from Birmingham. With the line open the opportunity was taken to run excursions, July 12th brought 5133 & 5145 to Welshpool on an excursion from London. Their return was hampered by the failure of 5145, with no relief available 5133 worked through to Wolverhampton unaided.
From November 1969 to January 1970 5133 was under repair at Derby Works.
Such was the mundane work of these locomotives that I have no recorded unusual sightings of them during 1971 - 1973, presumably they just went about their business, mostly of freight workings, but also the odd passenger turn.
1973
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Its May 12th 1973 and 5142 & 5032 have arrived at Aberystwyth with a special.
Photograph collection of Ian Hammond. |
1974
Early in 1974 the remaining members of this group were renumbered - 5133/134/140/141 during February, the others in April.
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24134 at Springs Branch on March 7th 1974. 24134 might be considered a bit of a hybrid having acquired a modified headcode panel at the No.2 end and the radiator frost screen from one of the early Class 24's. It is also missing various parts of its frame level skirting. The cut outs to the roof mounted water filler are plated over but the access steps on the bogie are still present.
Photograph courtesy Tom Sutch. |
24142 was noted at Derby Works during August.
December 27th found 24134 in trouble at Bagillt whilst running light to Chester. A bulldozer had been driven onto the line by vandals which derailed the locomotive, damaging the bogie. The Class 24 was removed to Derby Works for repair.
1975
Visitors to Derby Works during 1975 included 24134 during January (see above note) and 24133 in May. With the mass withdrawals of the Class 24's just round the corner 24133 would be one of the last Class 24's to receive any attention at Derby.
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24136 at Springs Branch on April 9th 1975. This was one of several Class 24's never to receive blue livery. One of the gangway doors appears to carry the small circular cover associated with the Royal Train communication equipment. 24136 has about six months of service left, being withdrawn early in October 1975.
Photograph courtesy Tom Sutch. |
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A frosty morning and a low sun provides nice light to pick out the detail on 24141 at Springs Branch on March 28th 1975. At its last repair all the frame level skirting between the cabs has been removed, a gauge has been added to the fuel tank but the gangway doors have not been sheeted over.
Photograph courtesy Tom Sutch. |
On June 8th Rhyl was graced with the presence of 24032 & 24140 on a special from Tamworth.
The summer found a great number of the English and Scottish Class 24's taken out of service, many initially stored but then later withdrawn. Of the eight remaining former Longsight locomotives only one was affected by the summer withdrawals, that of green liveried 24136 which was withdrawn during October. A second casualty followed with 24135 stored during December following its collision with 24089 during a shunting manouevre at Bidston Dock.
1976
During January 24135 & 24140 were retired, the next month 24137, 24141 & 24142 were stored with the latter two being withdrawn during July. 24137 received a temporary reprieve being reinstated to Crewe during March then stored again in May and finally retired in July. 24134 was stored during September.
The movement of the withdrawn Class 24's took place as resources permitted - on May 11th 24140 moved with 24046(?), 24144/146 from Crewe to Swindon.
The week prior to Easter saw the re-instatement of service between Aberystwyth and Dovey Jct following the severe flooding in January. Because of this only
one excursion ran during the Easter period, a mystery excursion from Lichfield with 24087 & 24133 on April 19th. A week later 24085 & 24133 worked a Crewe - Holyhead railtour on April 24th,
whilst the following week on May 1st 24054 & 24133 handled the Crewe - Llandudno leg of an excursion from Euston. An Ideal Home Exhibition at the NEC opened on October 16th with many visitors using the train to visit the center. A number of specials were run that day including 24087 & 24133 from Aberystwyth.
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24133 & 24085 head through Rhyl with a railtour on April 24th 1976.
Photograph collection of Ian Hammond. |
At the end of August 24054 & 24142 were pulled from the deadlines at Basford Hall and sent to the WR for further use as carriage heating units. On August 31st they arrived at Exeter as part of a milk train, their eventual destination being Laira.
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As many Class 24's made their way to scrapping 24142 received a new lease of life as a carriage heating unit on the Western Region. Its first port of call was Laira, seen here on September 19th 1976.
Photograph courtesy Tony Sayer |
Green liveried 24136 moved with 24055/56/60 as the 9X75 06.45 Crewe - Banbury – Swindon on September 7th hauled by 25063. During September 24140 became the first of this group to be broken up, in this case at Swindon.
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Towards the end of the Class 24's it was a very common sight to find them at Cockshute laying over between duties. Here is 24133 & 25154 on August 27th 1977. |
24134 was withdrawn during December.
1977
Green liveried 24136 was broken up at Swindon during January.
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A number of Class 24's were withdrawn prematurely due to accident damage. In better times this would have been repaired, but now in the twilight of their careers such damage is a deathknell for the locomotives. Here is 24135 at Swindon on January 23rd 1977. On December 16th 1975 24135 & 24140 had brought a load of hoppers from Shotwick to Bidston Dock. The crew were not made aware of a second set of locomotives entering the yard. A collision occurred leading to damage that precipitated the withdrawal of 24135 & 24089. The locomotiver were removed to Birkenhead Mollington Street prior to removal to Swindon Works for scrapping. |
On May 9th a reshuffle of the WR carriage heating units took place, with unit TDB968008 (24054) moved from Penzance to Plymouth, whilst TDB968009 (24142) was sent from Plymouth to Worcester.
Another dead engine movement took place on May 31st with 24079/85, 24134/41 making the final journey from Crewe to Swindon.
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24141 awaits a tow to its final resting place. Date and location unknown, but more than likely this is at Crewe before its final movement to Swindon.
Photograph collection of Ian Mawson. |
The remaining boiler equipped Crewe based Class 24's were still popular on railtours, on June 5th 24082 & 24133 took twelve coaches on a roundtrip Crewe - Barmouth working.
24135 was broken up at Swindon during July.
On July 10th 24087 & 24133 worked a Crewe - Manchester - Preston - Carnforth railtour, from here Nigel Gresley & 92220 'Evening Star' shared the round trip to Scarborough, with the Class 24's taking over at Carnforth for the run home.
24133 & 24082 paid a visit to York on October 1st whilst in charge of the RCTS 'Roses No 2 Rail Tour'. Originating from Crewe and picking up at Stockport, it traversed the Pennines via the
Woodhead route. The GC route was used to Treeton Jct, north to Rotherham, Mexborough & Doncaster then onto York via Knottingley. The return was via Normanton, Wakefield Westgate, Mirfield,
Sowerby Bridge and Hebden Bridge for the run across Copy Pit, then Accrington, Blackburn, Bolton and Manchester Victoria. The Type 2's made a fine run up Miles Platting bank before turning
at Ashton Moss N & S junctions to reach the outbound route at Denton.
December 3rd saw 24082 & 24133 handling a charter from Crewe to Aberystwyth via Chester.
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24134 at Swindon on June 12th 1977. This end of the locomotive sports the unusual headcode housing with the sloping sides rather than the more rectangular look. |
1978
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New Year's Day 1978 finds 24137 putting on a show for some visiting enthusiasts.
Photograph courtesy Richard Boyd |
The few remaining Class 24's were still well travelled, on January 14th 24082 & 24133 worked a St Pancras - Liverpool charter via Leicester and Nuneaton. On a rainy overcast January 21st 24133 had an unusual duty being used on the last advertised passenger working of the Class 44's, working the Crewe -
Chester leg behind 44008 to provide heating following the non-appearance of the heater van.
The last survivor of this group, 24133 was finally withdrawn on March 21st. Of this group 24134 & 24141 were still present at Swindon.
24141 was broken up at Swindon during June.
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Another trip round Swindon on April 30th 1978, again in the rain, finds 24134 still relatively intact. This end of the loco shows the later style of headcode housing with the airhorns. |
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Although not frequent visitors to Toton 24137 stayed there longer than most - in use as a rerailing vehicle. Seen here on May 10th 1978 it shows signs of its unusual activities. |
Following withdrawal during the early summer 24133 was held at Crewe until July 24th when it and 24087 were towed to Doncaster Works, picking up 24137 at Toton. The dismantlers at Doncaster Works quickly did their job, 24133 being broken up in September, 24137 in October, both not quite reaching their 18th anniversaries.
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31211 hauls 24133 & 24087 through Doncaster station on an overcast and damp July 26th 1978 on their final journey into Doncaster Works.
Photograph collection webmaster. |
24134 was finally broken up at Swindon during September.
1981
TDB968009 (24142) was noted at Cardiff July 25th having recently arrived from Reading.
1982
Mid September saw TDB968008 (ex 24054) moved from Newton Abbott to Cambridge (arriving December) to act as a spare whilst withdrawn TDB968009 (ex 24142) was moved to Stratford for spares removal prior to being sold for scrap.
1984
TDB968009 (ex 24142) was noted dumped at Healey Mills from March 1983 to August 1984. Scrapping occurred at Coopers Metals, Attercliffe during September 1984, this would be the last Class 24 to be broken up, though a number of its parts, including a bogie were saved for preserved 24054. This was the last chance for the preservation of a Derby built Class 24, all the other preserved examples are Crewe built.
Undated Views
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A fine view of 24134 and parcels train at Chester (?). The locomotive is a mix of features, it sports the headcode box of a Class 25/1, the frost screen off one of the early Class 24's and it is one of the few Class 24's to have had its boiler water tank removed.
Photograph collection of Ian Mawson. |
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24136, date and location unknown (maybe Longsight?). 24136 was one of the few Class 24's to carry the circular plate on the cab front, an indication that this locomotive had at one point seen service on a Royal Train working - possibly over the Cambrian Lines west of Shrewsbury? It was not common to have the circular plate mounted on a locomotive that still retained its gangway doors. And 24136 was one of a few Class 24's never to carry blue livery.
Photograph collection of Ian Mawson. |
