A fine portrait of 25035 at Millerhill on October 30 1977 as the locomotive takes on fuel and water.

1963
During the last quarter of 1962 Derby Works finally was able to lay down the frames for the first of a long line of Class 25's, begining with D5186. Prior to this Derby had been busily working on completing its order of Class 46's. The middle of March saw the delivery of the first of thirty seven Type 2's from Derby Works (D5186 - 5222), initially delivered to Toton for further dieselisation of the Midland lines. Their arrival was most timely as the railways recovered from the extreme weather of January & February. With the mainline expresses and the principal fitted freights out of St Pancras being handled by the Peaks the new Type 2's took over many of the remaining freights, frequently found in pairs and using brake tenders. They were also joined in this task by the BRCW Type 2's.

Testing of the Derby Works built units included a run down to Corby attached to a string of coaches, the headcode used was 1T48, D5186 was noted on this working on February 15th & March 12th, whilst D5187 was noted on this working on March 15th.

D5185 was the last of a batch of thirty five built by Darlington Works, being released to traffic on May 24. It was also the third of a continuous batch of thirty five (D5183 - D5217) delivered to Toton (18A) as part of the dieselisation of the lines north from St Pancras.

1964
These three locomotives were well travelled during 1964, in January D5187 moved to 2E whilst D5185 moved to Leicester (15A), followed in February by D5186. D5185 continued on to Nottingham (16A) in May followed by a move south to Cricklewood (14B) in September, joining the growing Type 2 fleet there.

D5187 visited Derby Works during September, at which time it was transferred to 16C, then on to 16D in October.

The continuing use of Sulzer 2's on the Aston 'Condor' service often found them pressed into service whilst laying over in Glasgow prior to the next evening's southbound working. They were frequently utilised on local passenger workings, a popular choice being the 11.25 Wemyss Bay - Glasgow service with examples noted in November being D5186/92/94, 7584/92/93.

1965
The Nottingham Division (M16) received D5186 in February, during June it returned to the Leicester Division (M15), along with D5187.

1966
D5187 was noted at Derby Works during May.

Passenger services between Rugby and Peterborough ceased on June 6th, so ending a cross-country route long familiar to the BR Sulzer Type 2's. D5185 worked the final 20.20 Peterborough East - Leicester service. A visit by D5185 was made to Derby Works during October.

D5186 was at Derby Works during September & October.

1968
5186 was again at Derby Works during November, whilst here it was transferred to the Preston Division (D10) along with 5187.

1969
The New Year brought bad tidings for the Waverley route. The Type 2's had been frequent users of this route, but on January 4th the route was closed with BR expecting to save GBP 300,000 per annum after closure. The final week was not without its problems, the steam heating boilers of the various Type 2's continued to be unreliable, especially during this time of unusually bad weather. So affected was 5187 working the 09:20 Carlisle - Edinburgh on December 30th, 1968, remedial action by a fitter cured the fault, for on the next day it continued the passenger diagram, working the 07:06 Edinburgh - Carlisle and the 13.00 return.

During July 5183/84/85 moved across town to Willesden (D01).

5186 visited Derby during November at which time it was transferred to Willesden, joining 5185.

1970
Both 5186 & 5187 were at Derby Works during January.

The Women's International Hockey Match at Wembley on March 14th brought four specials to Kensington Olympia, Class 47 D1727 with a train from Wolverhampton and Class 45 D95 from Nottingham. The other two were electric hauled to Willesden, switching here to Type 2's; 5185 took over a thirteen coach train from Crewe and 7537 & 5219 with sixteen coaches from Barrow for the last few miles to Kensington Olympia.

5187 and 5297 were noted hauling the Stirling - Newton Abbot motorail on August 21st, a month later on September 28th 5187 was noted on the northbound service, this time with 5193, unfortunately its not recorded over what portion of the journey the Type 2's worked.

1972
5185 headed to the Eastern Region in July to Leeds Holbeck (55A), sisters 5183 & 5184 followed in August. By October all three were moved to Tinsley (41A).

5187 joined 5186 at Willesden (D01) during September.

1973
On January 13th Kings Cross was visited by 5186 & 5237 and 5641 & 5234 in charge of Leicester - Finsbury Park (for Highbury) F A cup tie specials.

Pairs of class 25's occasionally substituted for Class 45's on coal trains destined for the Kent area. May 14th found 5231 & 5246 on a Brent - Southfleet service and the return Betteshanger - Toton, 7557 & 5187 were used on 17th and 5272 & 5284 were used on 18th.

Front line service befell an odd couple on September 14th when 5858 and 5185 powered a Bournemouth - Newcastle passenger north from Birmingham New Street.

5187 moved north to Toton in September.

1974
The middle of January saw some unusual Class 25 passenger workings at Birmingham, on 17th 5292 arrived half an hour late with the 09.28 ex Southampton, the next day 5187 worked the 06.35 Birmingham - Leeds and 12.35 return.

During February energisation of the overhead took place from Garstang to Carlisle. Diesel powered test trains operated between Preston & Carlisle, various test vehicles and vans were used, including 5285 (March 4th), 25026 (March 11th) & 25035 (March 21st).

Passengers on a Marylebone -York excursion on April 25th enjoyed the delights of being routed via Penistone and Huddersfield, the locomotives for the day were 25072 & 25036.

25036 returned to Willesden in May, then across to Cricklewood in August and finally to Springs Branch in December!

25035 briefly visited Derby Works during August whilst 25036 was at Derby Works during October & November, the repairs including the fitting of dual brake equipment.

1975
On January 18th 25037 worked a Spondon - Rosyth special including a sleeping car and officers saloon, during February it paid a visit to Derby Works.

Still sticking together 5183/84/85 moved to Haymarket in February.

March 12th saw the 06.43 Peterborough - Kings Cross arrive behind 31185 & 25037.

On April 4th two northbound services from St Pancras were Class 25 hauled, 25314 took the 17.13 to Leicester and 25285 & 25037 the 17.26 to Derby.

When the 12.20 Birmingham - Newquay failed at Totnes on July 26th 25037 was on hand to take over from Western 1012.

1976
The 1E83 17.10 Edinburgh - Berwick on Tweed frequently used whatever Haymarket had available, during February 25035 was noted hauling this service.

On 18th February the 07.45 Cardiff - Newcastle arrived at its destination behind 25037 & 25239, presumably having deputised for a failure. The Type 2's returned south separately on parcels workings.

During May 25035 was noted on the track lifting train employed between Alloa & Dollar.

The Leith pipes trains to locations south of the border were probably worked at one time or another by every Scottish Class 25, on August 19th it was the turn of 25035 & 25026 to reach Oxford.

1977
25035 was in charge of the 08.35 Glasgow Queen st - Oban on January 18th.

25037 was noted at Oban on March 4th in charge of an un-identified passenger working. By March 9th it was noted waiting departure with the 18.10 Glasgow Queen Street - Dundee.

At least three passenger duties were worked by 25035 on May 17th; the 12.25 Dundee - Arbroath, the 13.17 Aberdeen - Dundee, then the 14.22 to Edinburgh.

25037 was noted at Glasgow Work during August.

1978
The 17.43 Glasgow - Ayr was hauled by 25035 on January 31st.

Photograph courtesy Graham Turner
A gutted 25036 takes its place in 8 Shop to have all its bits put back together - seen here surrounded by many of the bits and pieces needed by the shop forces at Derby to make this happen. June 11th 1978.

With one cab removed and the various 'holes' covered with plastic sheeting 25036 undergoes some sort of de-asbestos treatment prior to moving to 8 Shop. Seen here June 6th 1978. Photograph courtesy Graham Turner.

April 14th 25036 covered for a failed Class 47 on the 18.26 Preston - Liverpool. April 22nd found 25067 & 25036 on a St. Pancras - York railtour, the return trip using the ECML as far as Newark, where the freight only Bottesford branch was taken. 25037 was noted north of Leeds in charge of the 16.05 Nottingham - Glasgow on May 9th.

For 25035 June was spent under repair at Glasgow Works, with the locomotive being dual braked during this overhaul. Soon after release March depot provided 25035 to take forward the 14.52 Liverpool Street - Edinburgh parcels on July 4th, presumably very ex-works. A brief visit was made by 25035 to Derby Works during November.

25036 moved to Springs Branch in June.

From October 1978 to January 1979 25037 was a Glasgow Works for a general repair including the fitting of dualbraking equipment. With all three featured locomotives now equipped with dual brake equipment and retaining their steam heating boilers they were able to handle just about any job given to them.

Standing in the rain outside Wigan Springs Branch shed on a dismal Sunday afternoon December 9th 1978 is 25036.

1979
A Stranraer - Warcop troop special was noted heading south over the Settle & Carlisle line on May 5th with 25037 & 27205 in charge, later returning over the same route with the ecs.

On May 12th the SRPS chartered an excursion Falkirk to Fraserburgh with 40061 handling the journey to/from Aberdeen. Here 25034 & 25035 took over for the journey to Fraserburgh via Dyce Jct and Maud Jct. This was most likely the last passenger train over the line north of Dyce Jct as the branch was due to close that weekend. From November to April 1980 25035 was in Glasgow Works receiving generator (N4) repairs.

Photograph courtesy Stew Robertson
To effect the run round manouvre at Fraserburgh the locomotives were split, May 12th 1979.

On May 12th 1979 the SRPS operated a railtour which included the freight only line from Dyce Jct to Fraserburgh. 25034 & 25035 were the chosen motive power for the day north of Aberdeen though the 20mph restriction on the branch did not promote much in the way of high speed running. The train is seen here at Fraserburgh awaiting to return south. Photograph courtesy Stew Robertson.

The following seven views come from an interesting document scavenged from the pages of Ebay. It was a series of typed legal size sheets featuring tabular histories of many Class 25's, apparently mostly those which had been allocated to Scottish depots. Many photographs had been pasted onto the pages, in between the text, some had been cropped and many appeared to be printed by the photographer. Although the quality of some of the photographs is not great, the whole document is a fascinating testament to how far we enthusiasts will go to record our hobby.

The owner also created similar log sheets for Classes 20/26/47, which also went for sale on Ebay. The seller picked them up from some sort of clear out of the owners house, possibly the result of the owner becoming deceased or moving to a elderly care home. Possibly the owner was a Mr A Forster - thanks for the memories & notes.

"Let no one be mistaken, Death makes memories of us all" - Michael Been, 1990

	A slightly fuzzy shot of 25035 on February 18th 1979 as it marshalls DMU's at Haymarket depot. Photograph courtesy A Forster.
	March 5th 1979 at Haymarket Depot - 25035 is sandwiched between two Class 40's. Photograph courtesy A Forster.
	April 13th 1979 and 25035 is noted at the east end of Haymarket shed building. Photograph courtesy A Forster.
	April 22nd 1979, 25035 is now seen at Haymarket on the west side of the shed building. Photograph courtesy A Forster.
	During November 1979 25035 entered Glasgow Works for attention to its main generator. It is seen here on December 1st 1979 heading a lineup of four mechanically challenged locomotives. Photograph courtesy A Forster.
	Three months have gone by since the last view & 25035 slumbers peacefully under a fresh blanket of snow, February 2nd 1980, still awaiting attention to its main generator. Photograph courtesy A Forster.
	25035 runs light eastbound at Portobello on July 13th 1980. Photograph courtesy A Forster.

1980
During March approximately six hundred locomotives were awaiting attention of which only one third (about 160) were out of traffic for scheduled repair. For the Class 25's fifty eight were laid up, the Class 31's had thirty out of traffic, whilst for the Class 47's one out of every five machines was awaiting some sort of attention. Eight Class 25's had been out of traffic for at least three months (25035/42, 25113/147/177/191, 25234/252), obviously the aforementioned move of 25191 to Swindon was a start in repairing these bad ordered machines.

25036 moved to Kingmoor during July.

After almost five years on the Scottish Region 25035 moved to Crewe during November. This was the last move for 25035, being joined in July 1985 by sister 25034. On November 19th the 06.55 Gloucester - Birmingham was in the hands of 25035. During December 25035 visited Derby for generator (N4) repairs.

	March 9th 1980, 25037 at Haymarket at about 7.30 in the morning. Photograph courtesy A Forster.
	A weekend exhibition of rolling stock at Carlisle Goods Yard brought a number of locomotives and wagons to the public's attention. Seen here on July 6th 1980 is 25036. Other locomotives present were a Class 40 & 87. At this time 25036 had just been transferred to Kingmoor.

1981

	In November 1980 25035 moved from Haymarket to Crewe. Seen here on January 24th 1981 at Cockshute 25035 still sports the three piece snowploughs. Also visible are the hinged air filters, unique to the early series dual-braked Class 25's. The addition of this equipment in the cramped Class 25 body blocked acces to the filters from the inside, hence the need to access them externally. Photograph courtesy Paul Bettany.
	The Haymarket Coal Yard trip on January 23rd 1981 arrives behind 25037. Photograph courtesy A Forster.
	Its just after noon on on April 8th 1981 as 25037 rolls into Millerhill - a second home for Haymarket's fleet of Class 25's. Photograph courtesy A Forster.

On May 5th an Aberystwyth - York special was hauled by 25035 & 25219 to Crewe. The return working proved to be an ugly time for the locomotives with three out of the four Class 25's failing. The original pair made it to Shrewsbury Hookagate Jct before 25035 failed, followed shortly afterwards by 25219 at Westbury. 25033 & 25113 came to the rescue, leaving them at Westbury, only to have 25033 fail at Forden. Fortunately 25113 did not succumb and after dumping 25035 and some coaches at Machynlleth finally reached Aberystwyth almost four hundred minutes late.

25037 worked the 08.10 Dundee - Perth on June 1st & 2nd.

On July 20th 25035 towed fire damaged 45052 from Bromsgrove to Derby Works, the Peak having caught fire two days earlier on a Leeds - Paignton working.

During June 25036 was in Derby Works for N4 repairs.

1982
February 6th's 14.25 Edinburgh - Dundee was noted in charge of 25037.

25036 moved south to Bescot in February whilst 25037 moved to Eastfield in May and 25035 visited Derby for N4 repairs in July.

The 18.44 Glasgow - Dundee was hauled by 25037 on April 20th.

With 25036 allocated to Bescot it soon made a number of trips across the Cambrian line to Aberystwyth on the summer Saturday services, those reported are 25036 & 25044 on June 19th's 07.38 Shrewsbury - Aberystwyth & return 10.07 to Euston as far as Wolverhampton, 25036 & 25323 on July 24th's 10.10 Euston - Aberystwyth from Wolverhampton & 17.15 back to Shrewsbury and 25036 & 25067 on August 7th's 07.38 Shrewsbury - Aberystwyth & return 10.07 to Euston as far as Wolverhampton.

25037 was transferred to Crewe during October. 25036 entered Derby Works for N6 repairs in September, the locomotive remained at Derby until December when 25036 was withdrawn.

On September 18th 25035 spent the day working two round trips on the Manchester Victoria - Bangor circuit (the 07.45 & 15.45 to Bangor & returns) , a working shared with various Class 40/47's. The next day from early morning to mid afternoon 25037 & 25044 piloted two electric services in & out of Manchester.

A collision at Crewe fuelling point occurred on October 6th between 25035 & 25190, the former sustaining damage to the cab. This could easily have resulted in withdrawal but repairs were effected at Derby between December 1982 and February 1983. A replacement cab was fitted from recently withdrawn sister 25036, this led to a temporary identity crisis, since 25036's final repair had been at Derby the locomotive carried the numbers on the cab side whilst Glasgow had given 25035 bodyside numbers, giving for a short while a Class 25 with two different numbers, though this was quickly put right after a visit to the paint shop.

25035 awaits attention at Derby Works, December 12th 1982. Classified repairs for the Type 2's had long since ceased so it was remarkable that 25035 should receive a repair. Bescot allocated 25036 had only just been withdrawn, so it donated one of its cabs to the lucky 25035. This gave 25035 an identity crisis as for a while at Derby it displayed two numbers, before visiting the paint shop. Photograph courtesy A Healey/J Glynn.

1983
Double headed diesels over the southern end of the WCML were quite rare, to have them on a consistent basis with mixed classes was most unusual, but during June the Lawley St - Ipswich freightliner, normally electric hauled south of Nuneaton, produced an interesting variety. June 9th produced 25035 & 47066, 13th 47353 & 25236 and 15th 25236 & 47452. On December 1st 25035 handled a Ferme Park - Heaton ecs working, only to fail at Darlington, after repair here it handled a local permanent way working the next morning.

Photograph courtesy Mark Cook
I have no date for this excellent view of 25037 at Aylesbury, but it really doesn't matter, they were frequent visitors for many years, provided by either Willesden or Cricklewood for a number of local jobs in the area. And they followed in the footsteps of the Class 24's which frequently passed through on Great Central services to Leicester & Nottingham.

The unfortunate 25036 stands amid lines of other dismembered locomotives at Derby Works on November 26 1983, having surrendered a cab to repair 25035!. In this undignified state 25036 was towed down to Swindon where the end came in June 1985. Photograph courtesy Phillip Moore.

1984
Visitors to Newcastle from across the Pennines included 25181 & 25037 on March 8th's evening Hardendale - Lackenby freight, returning later with the empties.

1984 would be a banner year for 25035, it would take first place for passenger miles hauled, with at least 3,261 miles (possibly more) recorded behind this fine machine. The first passenger working didn't occur until February 5th when it handled the 02.35 Euston - Bletchley. Next came F & W's 'The Vital Statistician' on February 11th when 25035 & 25048 worked the Birmingham New Street - Walsall - Brownhills - Lichfield - Burton - Toton leg of a Plymouth - Linby colliery tour. Scottish haulage beckoned on February 22nd when 25035 assisted a Class 47 between Ayr & Girvan on the overnight Euston - Stranraer. April 14th saw 25035 on the 15.02 Manchester - Bristol parcels, since December 1983 this had been a Class 47 turn.

The Cambrian coast beckoned for 25037 during the summer of 1984, two early summer workings were 25037 & 25315 on May 26th's 07.44 Shrewsbury - Aberystwyth and return 10.10 to Euston as far as Wolverhampton followed by 25037 & 25195 on June 9th's 10.10 Euston - Shrewsbury from Wolverhampton.

After an absence of three months 25035 returned to passenger haulage in June, on the 1st it completed the last leg of a Euston - Blackpool service from Preston. On June 4th & 5th it worked one round trip each day between Carlisle & Glasgow over the GSW route. On July 19th it deputised for a DMU on an early evening Manchester Victoria - Llandudno Town service. The last week of August found 25035 on a variety of workings, assisting a electric between Golbourne Jct & Skew Bridge Jct (23rd) due to the power being turned off, running a relief Southport- Manchester Victoria serice (24th) & finally working an afternoon Sheffield - Manchester service (30th).

25037 was back on the Cambrian for two further workings; 25037 & 25048 on July 21st's 07.35 Euston - Aberystwyth from Wolverhampton returning on the 14.00 to Shrewsbury and 25037 & 25230 on August 25th's 07.35 Euston - Aberystwyth from Wolverhampton returning on the 14.00 to Shrewsbury.

However it was during the last week of September that 25035 started out on an extended spell on the Glasgow - Carlisle route. On September 24th, 25th, 27th, 28th & October 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th at least one round trip was worked each day, on the 27th one extra trip was worked. Although no workings took place on 26th it was in action somewhere, it had ended the 25th's workings at Glasgow and started the 27th's duties at Carlisle. It returned to work one Glasgow - Carlisle trip on October 27th, spending more time north of the border working the 20.50 Carlisle - Perth from Mossend on October 26th & December 5th & 7th. Its last known passenger working in 1984 was a Carlisle - Glasgow round trip on December 17th.

As 1984 drew to a close Derby Works contained only two Class 25's under repair, 25037 with electrical problems - present from December 1984 to February 1985 - and 25234 for power unit repairs.

1985
The dispute which had led to the cessation of the breaking up of locomotives at Derby created the build up of a considerable quantity of condemned locomotives littering the Works. During 1985 this matter was dealt with by moving the Class 40/45 to Doncaster and the Class 25's to Swindon. This included 25036 which moved as the 9X12 Derby - Swindon on February 4th & 5th as part of the convoy containing 25036/049, 25150, 25228/253/277 25304/317/320.

During March Derby finally released 25037 after receiving a main generator from 25049, which had been withdrawn with collision damage. Its sister 25234 had been stopped here for power unit repairs but was withdrawn following discovery of more serious problems.

After the considerable mileage clocked in 1984 it was left for 25035 to drift into the shadows in 1985. Reports indicate only one passenger working during the first half of the year, on February 5th with 25032, covering a late afternoon Lincoln - Crewe working (from Nottingham) following a failure of the booked DMU. Another failure, this time of 304001 at Stoke on a Stafford - Manchester local found 25035 commandeered to complete the working on July 25th. August 4th - 6th were spent on local workings in the North West, the highlight perhaps being the replacement of failed 31168 at Manchester Victoria on the 14.10 Cambridge - Blackpool.

The monopoly of Class 47's on the 15.02 Manchester - Bristol parcels eased during the summer months with many Class 25's noted. On July 12th 25037 was taken off this service at Hereford to provide assistance to an ailing 33012 working a Bangor - Cardiff service.

Class 25's over the Central Wales line continued with October 5th's special from Kidderminster to Tenby hauled throughout by 25037 & 25059. As there was no way to refuel the locomotives at Tenby, the return trip was via Cardiff where 25296 & 25282 were waiting to take over.

Photograph courtesy Tony Sayer
Its November 3rd 1985 and times they are a changing at Toton. A fine portrait of 25037 as it awaits some sort of attention, parked behind it is a sign of the new order, a Class 58 sporting 'Railfreight' decals.

Stanlow oil terminal on November 23rd provided a veritable feast of Class 25's with 25190 & 25192 and 25279 & 25325 on workings from Leeds and 25035 & 25072 from Dalston.

Over the Christmas break the only Class 25's in South Wales were 25037, 25288 & 25906 stabled at Severn Tunnel Jct.

1986

	A fine nightime view of 25035 stabled at Nuneaton on February 6th 1986. With snow on the ground and frost forming on the cab roofs this is not a night to linger more than one has to! The locomotive clearly shows its been sometime since a Works visit was made. Photograph courtesy Paul O'Garra.
	With less than a year to run 25035 approaches Derby on May 6 1986. Photograph courtesy Kevin Hughes.
	A work stained 25037 keeps company with some equally dubious looking locomotives at York on March 2nd 1986. By this time the Eastern Region were not happy about the operation of Class 25's on their metals and would endeavour to send them back to the LMR as soon as possible. Its a pity the LMR didn't do that with the 31's. Photograph courtesy Tony Sayer.

On January 23rd 25037 arrived at Tyne Yard with a morning freight from Stranraer, the Type 2 then being diagrammed to work the 23.05 to Mossend

A recent working bringing Class 25's to Scunthorpe was the eastbound empty coke running between Holyhead and Conoco's Humberside oil refinery. Noted on June 2nd was 25035 and later 25288 (5th).Whitemoor still continued to use Class 25's on their local trip freights with 25035 on the Bury St Edmunds turn on July 11th.

Its a sign of the times that in this view at Springs Branch on June 28th 1986 there are four Class 20's present. However front and center for a little while longer is 25037 with 20147 behind it. Photograph courtesy Jerry Glover.

On August 24th F & W ran their 100th tour, a re-run of their first trip in 1973. The 'Snowdonian II' (1Z37) starting at Paddington used 25201 & 25037 for the 296 mile round trip Wolverhampton to Pwllheli. An oil leak troubled 25201 but on board surgery kept the machine running. The next day proved to be the wettest August Bank Holiday on record with most of the country receiving at least an inch of rain, with some areas getting much more. Aber (N Wales) received over five inches, elsewhere high winds and flooding caused difficulties.

25037 was called upon to assist the 18.52 Carlisle - Sunderland dmu on October 13th. The service was terminated at Newcastle, the dmu was taken to Heaton, the Class 25 returning light to Carlisle.

December saw 25034 retired, the elder statesman now becoming 25035. Not that the end of the year was a good time for 25035. It had been stopped at Crewe since December 16th pending a 'B' exam and attention to cylinder liners & seals.

25037 was at Gloucester on the afternoon of Dec 23rd, by New Year's Eve it was allocated to trip 9L74.

1987
By January 8th 25037 was at Crewe with a loss of power, after rectification it was noted arriving at Northampton in the early morning hours of 10th, where it was stopped with power unit problems. The locomotive was moved to Crewe early on January 19th and withdrawn later that afternoon.

Crewe finally released 25035 back into traffic about January 9th, being noted on the afternoon of 11th attached to 25057. It was noted at Nottingham on the evening of 13th, followed by a spell in the Bescot area (Jan 17th, 24th & 25th). On the evening of 27th Longsight allocated 25035 to the 6K36 to Nuneaton Hartsill and 7H56 to Guide Bridge. However a loss of power on the 28th caused the engine to shut down, spending several days at Toton prior to the fault being fixed. All was well by the 30th with Llandudno Jct being reached in the evening.

25035 awaits the filling of the ballast wagons at Hartshill Quarry on February 17th 1987. Once all the wagons are loaded the train will depart as the 7H55 16.24 Hartshill - Guide Bridge. Photograph courtesy Ron Kosys

In the wee hours of February 11th 25035 was back at Manchester Victoria being allocated to the 1P55 to Barrow and 5P55 return to Red Bank. That afternoon it was received by Longsight for an 'A' exam. Following this it worked local jobs on 12th. After more local jobs at Newton Works & Windsor Bridge it was back to Manchester Victoria for target MM20 on February 15th. More local jobs on the 17th, then to Manchester Victoria to await the 18th's 1P55 to Barrow and 5P55 return to Red Bank. An early morning arrival at Crewe on February 21st saw the next couple of days duties in the Crewe area. On 23rd it worked the 3F01 00.04 Crewe South Yard to Liverpool Lime Street. From the evening of February 24th to about March 7th 25035 spent most of its time in the Llandudno area, though by March 6th it had been stopped at Llandudno Jct with flat batteries. By the morning of the 7th it was back at Crewe, now in working order.

On March 14th it was left to 25035 to handle the last passenger trip for a Class 25 in regular service. The train locomotive, recently outshopped 47424, failed on the 1V05 07.09 Holyhead - Cardiff service at Chester. 25035 took the service to Crewe where both machines were replaced. The following day at tea-time 25035 was withdrawn, moving to Basford Hall on the morning of the 19th.

Its March 14th 1987 and 25035 works the last passenger train to be hauled by a Class 25. Left & centre view at Chester, right view is Crewe. (More info in text above).
Photographs courtesy Paul Gleave - many thanks!!.

A close up of the painted name on 25035, Basford Hall July 11th 1987, three days later the locomotive moved to Leicester.

By March 22nd 25037 was noted in the condemned lines at Basford Hall.

On May 29th 25034/37/95 25190 were moved as the 9L37 10.50 Basford Hall - Vic Berry, Leicester, 25037 was in Berry's yard by May 31st and broken up by June 14th.

25035 remained at Basford Hall until July 14th 1987 when it moved with 25057, 25109 & 25265 in the 9L37 10.50 Basford Hall to Leicester Humberstone Road. It remained here until September 9th when it tripped as the 08.00 9T16 to Vic Berry's yard with 25109. After an extended stay at Berry's 25035 left for a brighter future in preservation, heading to the Northampton & Lamport Railway on July 14th 1988.

With thanks to Alan Baylis for details of the 1984/85 passenger workings and Neil Cannon for the 1987 detail and to the many photographers who contributed views for these fine machines.

	With a train load of coal destined for Whitemoor, D5186 approaches Peterborough on an overcast day, date unknown. Photograph courtesy collection Ian Hammond.
	25036 in well worn green livery backs on to coaching stock at Longsight, date unknown. Photograph courtesy Ian Mawson.

	The future looks bleak as 25035 waits in Basford Hall sidings for its final tow to Vic Berry, Leicester. Seen here July 11th 1987. Photograph courtesy Mark Jones.
	Its January 2002 some forty years after the first Class 25's were delivered and almost fifteen years since their demise. 25035 reached preservation and is currently housed (and is seen here) on the Northampton & Lamport Railway. Photograph courtesy Gary Thornton.

Page added February 1st 2002
Page updated March 10th 2008 (new picture added).

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