25046 relatively ex-works at Polmadie, sometime during 1980. Despite this recent outshopping, the locomotive would be withdrawn early in 1981. Photograph courtesy Ian Mawson

1963
This group of locomotives, part of a large batch intended for the dieselisation of the Midland mainline out of St Pancras were laid down at Derby Works during November 1962 and were completed in May 1963, initially being allocated to Toton (18A). Being boiler equipped they would frequently be utilised on the area's local passenger workings.

D5196 made two test runs to Corby, the first on May 2nd 1963 and the second on May 7th 1963.

1964
Transferred during 1964 were D5194 to Leicester (15A) during February, D5195 to Nottingham (16D) also in February, and D5196 to Derby (16C) during March.

Trouble befell D5195 on April 24th whilst working the final leg of the ‘Devonian’ from Leeds City South to Bradford, a regular working for the Type 2's. In a conflicting move at Leeds City Junction a collision ensued with the 17.36 Leeds City North - Knottingley dmu, derailing a number of vehicles, leaving D5195 with a very battered cab. This locomotive was later removed to Derby Works for repair, being noted here during May & July.

1965
D5194 was noted at Derby Works during January & October.

During May Colwich’s loaner Type 2 changed from D7578 to D5195 whilst D7526 was loaned to March for covering a roundtrip Colwich - Whitemoor working.

1966
Transfers during 1966 sent D5196 to the London Division (M14) during January, D5195 to the Nottingham Divison (M16) also in January, later transferring to the Midland Lines (ML) in October.

Derby Works visits included D5195 during March, D5196 in June and D5194 in December.

By the end of April Crewe Works had started to accept Type 2’s for heavy repair, so noted in the last week of April were D5196, 5221/29/31/65, 7581/91. This was no doubt possible due to the availability of resources created by the diminishing steam repairs and the winding down of the Brush Type 4 construction.

1967
Transfers during 1967 were that of D5194 & 5196 to the London Division (D14) in January.

D5195 was noted under repair at Derby Works during March.

1968
After five years of allocation to Midland sheds all three moved in 1968 to the north west, D5195 & 5196 to the Manchester Division (D09) during July and 5194 to the Liverpool Division (D08) during November.

The Manchester - Filey Camp summer service provided Type 2’s with a trip to the seaside, D5281 & D5195 made the trip on July 20th & D5211 on 27th.

1969
A routing change for the 17.34 Fridays only Manchester Exchange - York found it taken off the Hebden Bridge route and reverted back to the Standedge line. 7574 worked the last Hebden Bridge route on January 3rd whilst 5194 took it over the new route on January 10th, with ten coaches in tow. On April 1st the 10.50 Elswick (Newcastle) - Ellesmere Port special (7Z21) had 5195 & 5031

The summer only passenger workings between Newcastle, Ayr & Stranraer continued to feature Sulzer 2’s, though the Class 25's were now more common on these workings than the Class 24's. The 23.45FO Newcastle - Stranraer and the 13.50SO return working brought the following machines in July: 5188/5190 (5th), 5147/5281 (12th), 7555/7564 (19th) and 5182/5196 (26th). This service had seen Class 40’s in 1968, though these had not ventured beyond Ayr due to lack of driver knowledge of the Stranraer line. Loads varied between nine & twelve coaches.

August 2nd proved to be a very busy day at Carlisle due to the ending of the Paisley & Kilmarnock works holidays and the beginning of the Glasgow holiday. The majority of the specials ran with Peaks, Brush 4’s and EE Type 4’s. Peaks were in charge of the Glasgow trains coming off the Leeds route, because of the quantity of trains this day the locomotives were quickly turned round to take up their next workings. However the lucky passengers on the relief Morecambe - Glasgow (1Z10) had the thrill of 5259 & 5196. Also in the area this day was 94 in charge of the Leicester – Blackpool.

1970
The three featured locomotives came together for the first time since February 1964 when they were all allocated to the Preston Division (D10) during May.

Derby Works was visited by 5194 during January & February, and by 5196 in June.

Throughout April the Friday’s only 17.30 Manchester - York was almost always Class 25 haulage, the four occasions featured 7574, 5195, 7595 & lastly Type 4 255.

September 25th's Newton Abbot - Stirling Motorail was taken forward from Mossend by 5195 & 5284.

1971
5194 visited Derby Works during October.

1972
5196 was transferred to the Liverpool Division (D08) during July.

1973
5194 & 5195 moved to Springs Branch during May, whilst 5196 moved to Toton in September.

The failure of the Windermere branch DMU on December 7th found 5195 called upon to drag several services until a replacement dmu was found.

1974

25044 at Wyre Dock, Fleetwood on an overcast August 7th 1974. The 9T95 job is empties for Sutton Manor colliery, St Helens. 25044 must have been one of the last Class 25's to retain its gangway doors. Photograph courtesy Tom Sutch.

1975
A pair of Type 2’s worked a special Birmingham – Yarmouth on June 14th, 25081 & 25044 being in charge, just ahead of the scheduled service from Walsall, in the hands of 25040 & 25104.

25046 was noted under repair at Crewe Works during June.

25045 was stored with accident damage during August, after evaluation at Derby it was withdrawn during September and presented a sorry sight for the visitors attending the annual Open Day. Quite where 25045 received its accident damage is not known to your scribe, but the damage sustained would certainly have been repaired in earlier times. However times were changing, major inroads had just been made to the Class 24 fleet. Thus any accident damaged Class 25 would also be a serious candidate for early retirement - 25045 would be the third Class 25 withdrawn, and the first to be withdrawn under the TOPS numbering system.

1976
On May 27th 25046 made it all the way to Parkeston Quay on a freight from Whitemoor, the Class 25 returned light to Ipswich before taking another freight west.

After two years at Toton 25046 moved to Springs Branch during August.

25044 approaches Great Rocks Jct with another set of empties, September 12th 1976. This was one of the last Class 25's to retain its gangway doors. Photograph courtesy Dave Homer.

25044 and breakdown train were noted at Wigan station on the afternoon of October 2nd repairing the damage caused by 82005 bringing down the wires and loosing its pantograph, the flying debris narrowly missing waiting passengers. This caused heavy delays on the WCML, not helped by the many specials visiting the Blackpool Illuminations.

1977
On April 8th (Good Friday) the 1S51 07.18 York - Aberdeen began its journey behind 40059, being replaced at Edinburgh by 25044 & 25084.

25046 was transferred to Haymarket during May.

Glasgow Works received 25044 for repair between June & August.

25046 & 25050 were utilised for the Carstairs - Edinburgh - Dundee - Aberdeen leg of October 8th's Wirral Railway Circle 'Spirit of the Barley' railtour which ran between Crewe - Fraserburgh. The Class 25's were not used on the return leg, 47205 ran throughout from Aberdeen to Crewe.

A familiar view at Eastfield, of 25044 & 37004 outside the main building on October 29th 1977. 25044 is not too long out of a major repair at Glasgow Works, the paint still shines, ready for another Scottish winter. Photograph courtesy Tony Sayer.

1978
RPPR's weekend railtour 'The Skye Train' on March 31st - April 2nd from Paddington to Mallaig made extensive use of 25046 & 27002 on April 1st. They worked the train throughout from Mossend to Mallaig. 27002 suffered a traction motor fire near Ardlui, resulting in about half an hour's delay. The Class 27 remained with the train, going all the way to Mallaig and working the return leg back to Mossend with 25046. Considering some of the horror stories that have befallen other workings, charter or regular, this tour was lucky to escape with such a minor delay. Hopefully the memories still linger on of this journey, of Derby & Smethwick built Type 2's echoing across the upper reaches of Loch Lomond, through Glen Falloch, past the outposts of Tyndrum & Bridge of Orchy to the desolate moors of Rannoch and Courror, a station without road access. Then down past the the delights of Loch Treig and into Glean Spean. Having passed in the shadow of Ben Nevis it was out along Loch Eil, on the road to Skye, with more Scottish lochs and hills before views appear of the Sea of the Hebrides, of Eigg, Muck & Rhum, just before journey's end at Mallaig. And of the return leg, of fading daylight and happy memories as the echoes of Sulzer's finest reverbated across the Scottish moors, with steam heat coursing through the pipes and the rythmic motion of the train bringing on sleep to many......

	25045 & 45067 head a line up at Derby Works on April 26th 1978. Photograph courtesy Adrian Healey.
	On another rainy day, May 2nd 1978, Derby Works reveals a sorry line up of locomotives, led by accident damaged & withdrawn 25045. This locomotive never had its cab gangway doors removed. Photograph courtesy Graham Turner.
	On a damp July 1st 1978 25046 sits alongside the mainline at Haymarket. 25046 must have been one of the last Class 25's to retain its gangway doors, they were sheeted over during its intermediate repair at Glasgow during 1980. Photograph courtesy Adrian Healey.

1979
25046 visited Glagow Works during February.

After four years languishing at Derby Works, 25045 was scrapped there during August.

On September 4th 25044 & 25066 worked the 16.54 Glasgow Queen Street - Dundee.

25044 visited Glasgow Works from November 1979 to January 1980 for N4 generator repairs.

	With its pre-TOPS number starting to show through the cab paintwork 25044 recieves attention at Haymarket on April 22nd 1979. Photograph courtesy A Forster.
	Another Haymarket view of 25046 on May 13th 1979, this time possibly attached to a dmu. Photograph courtesy A Forster.
	Its September 1st 1979 and 44002, 20062 & 25045 have been shunted onto the siding used for cutting up locomotives, only 44002 remains more or less intact.

1980
During January 25044 moved to Haymarket, then on to Kingmoor in November.

25046 visited Glasgow Works from February to early April for an Intermediate repair, it returned to Glasgow mid-month for rectification work.

25046 paid a brief visit to Glasgow Works during mid June but by the 28th was noted in charge of the 10.44 Glasgow Queen St - Dundee.

On September 15th 25046 & 25078 were noted through Barrow in Furness with an empty coaching stock train. A month later it was at Haymarket depot with wheel and axle defects awaiting parts. During November & December it was twice noted at Inverness depot with a traction motor fault.

	A fresh coat of paint reveals that 25046 has paid a visit to Glasgow Works, receiving an Intermediate repair. Seen here at Millerhill on April 28th 1980. Regrettably the overhaul did not prolong the life of 25046, within ten months of this view 25046 was withdrawn. Photograph courtesy A Forster.
	Polmadie, sometime during 1980, 25046 in the holding sidings, still with cleany, shiny paint. Photograph courtesy Ian Mawson

1981
25044 moved south in February to its new home at Cricklewood, whilst 25046 was withdrawn the same month and stored at Millerhill. It would remain here until October 2nd when it moved to Mossend, the next day moving on to Polmadie Works. After a short while in the works it was moved across to Polmadie stabling point.

On February 13th 25044 & 25060 hauled the Manchester Piccadilly - Kensington Olympia SAGA Crufts Show charter out and back

25044 & 25287 hauled August 29th's 08.35 Derby - Yarmouth & 14.20 return to/from Norwich

December 8th found the Aberystwyth - Wolverhampton (to Euston) Smithfield Market charter in the hands of 25044 & 25048 and return??.

1982
Early in April 25046 was moved from Polmadie stabling point back to the Works.

The end of April and into May proved to be a busy time for 25044. It featured on April 28th on a Birmingham – Norwich as far as Peterborough. On May 3rd it worked with 25048 on a 07.15 Manchester Piccadilly - Aberystwyth day excursion via Crewe. By May 8th it was called to work an eleven coach Sutton Coldfield – York school special with 25133, the latter failing en route, 25044 successfully reaching York without further assistance. May 22nd found 25044 & 25221 on a Dorridge (ex Paddington) - Bewdley excursion, on the return leg taking the charter to Saltley.

A trip to the coast occurred on June 19th with 25044 & 25036 in charge of the 07.38 Shrewsbury - Aberystwyth and 10.07 return as far as Wolverhampton.

On August 7th 25044 worked the 08.57 Leeds - Carlisle & 15.37 return. Four days later it was assisting 31303 forward from Whitacre Junction with 09.03 Cambridge - Birmingham New Street, and returning with 16.17 to Norwich as far as March.

On September 19th 25037 & 25044 piloted two electric services in & out of Manchester to Stafford. This pair then transitioned to Crewe to assist an overnight WCML service between Crewe & Preston. More assistance was provided on September 23rd, aiding an ailing 31176 on afternoon Poole - Liverpool between Leamington Spa & Birmingham New Street.

October 2nd (or possibly September 25th) found 25044 in charge of 08.35 Birmingham – Paddington! It returned from the capital in charge of the 17.41 service to Manchester as far as Birmingham.

On November 19th 25044 hauled the 08.04 Birmingham - Norwich between Leicester & March. A week later (25th) the Prince & Princess of Wales traveled from Euston to Central Wales by Royal Train. From Shrewsbury to Aberdovey/Towyn 25259 & 25278 were in charge, with 25044 on standby. Due to restrictions on Barmouth Bridge the train went no further north than Morfa Mawddach. An overnight stop was made at Rossett prior to the Royal party visiting Wrexham & Hawarden on 26th.

1983
January 8th found 25044 on the return leg of a Derby - Nottingham football special. By month end it was working a round trip on the Crewe – Cardiff run, although on the return working, the 11.50 ex Cardiff, 25044 failed causing a ninety minute delay, with 47134 coming to its rescue. This was a Monday’s only turn due to the regular Class 33 being required for crew training, other Class 25’s so noted were 25044 (Feb 21st), 25224 (Feb 28th), 25042 (Mar 14th) and 25060 (Mar 21st).

By early in June 25046 had been moved back to Polmadie stabling point.

25044 covered the Preston - Blackpool route a number of times, usually on the 22.47 Crewe - Blackpool, being noted on March 10th & 11th and April 1st & 2nd - two trips on the latter date.

On August 21st 25044 hauled the 04.00 Crewe - Chester. Two days later 25044 & 25059 assisted 45050 between Chester & Manchester Victoria on the 17.10 Bangor - York, 25262 took over at Manchester.

September 19th saw the Mountsorrel – Elstow Redland stone working used 25044 & 25185, now normally in the hands of pairs of Class 31’s. On September 30th 25044 was again on the Preston - Blackpool route, bringing in an excursion from Dundee.

A return football excursion on December 3rd was hauled from Carlisle to Leeds by 25044 & 25072.

The 10.05 Liverpool – Newcastle on December 15th was noted at Huddersfield behind non-boilered 25262, not a great choice during the cold spell that had gripped the country. In the Liverpool area services from Preston continued to see Type 2 haulage, 25327 arrived from Preston on 18th, 25044 from Barrow (19th) and 25145 from Preston, ex Edinburgh (27th).

Withdrawn for almost two and a half years 25046 is seen at Polmadie on August 13th 1983. Although still carrying its builders plate, other parts have been removed including the windscreen wipers and the speedometer axlebox cover. Photograph courtesy A Forster.

1984
The New Year opened with 25044 soon rostered for a passenger working, hauling January 3rd's 22.50 Shrewsbury - York between Stockport & Leeds. Class 25’s on the Crewe – Cardiff line were now rare, but on January 17th the failure of 33011 led to 25044 taking over the 15.02 Manchester – Bristol parcels near Shrewsbury.

25044 was busy during May starting with May 6th working the 15.58 Blackpool - Euston as far as Preston. On May 18th & 19th a total of three runs were made over the GSW route, the 18th's 15.50 Glasgow - Carlisle and the 19th's 06.05 to Glasgow and the 15.50 return.

August 3rd found 25044 on the 19.35 Blackpool - Manchester Victoria throughout. By August 18th it was on Cambrian metals with 25175 on the 07.35 Euston - Aberyswyth forward from Wolverhampton, returning with 14.00 to Birmingham New Street as far as Wolverhampton.

On September 27th 25044 brought Class 508 units 030 & 034 northwards from Cricklewood to Wellingborough.

As the year closed out New Year’s Eve found 25044 & 27023 working the 06.05 Carlisle - Glasgow Central. Unfortunately the steam heat pipe fell off the Class 25 just before departure, leading to an increasingly chilly journey.

25044 is snapped at Cricklewood on May 1984. Photograph courtesy E A Woods.

1985
The Newcastle region continued to suffer periodic dmu shortages, even those in service succumbed all to frequently, on January 12th 25044 filled in on three dmu workings between Carlisle and Newcastle as were two more on 14th.

On February 1st 25044 & 25054 worked the 07.25 Glasgow Central - Carlisle, later that day the APT moved from Polmadie to Thornaby for wheel turning, being noted through Hexham behind 25044 & 25054, returning on 4th behind the same locomotives.

The Ellesmere Port – Severn Tunnel Jct bitumen tanks were noted with 25175 & 25048 on February 5th and 25044 on 8th, Class 47’s were now diagrammed for this working.

RESL's 'The North Midlander' on February 23rd sent 25034 & 25044 over many miles of track that they would have been very familiar with, particularly from their early years. Starting from St Pancras they circumnavigated parts of north & west London to reach the WR main line at Acton Wells Jct. From here it was plain sailing until Bicester & Claydon LNE Junction where the line to Bletchley was taken. It was then a dash northwards, via the Trent Valley line to Stafford. Here 45048 took over, back-tracking to Litchfield where the curve was taken to join the NE/SW route to Derby for a visit to the Locomotive Works. Then it was on to Attenborough for a connecting visit to Toton, before 45048's last leg to Nottingham. Here 25034 & 25044 came back on for the run to Leicester, Water Orton, Walsall, Bescot, Aston, Stechford, Coventry, Leamington Spa, Oxford and then the reverse of the outward route back to St Pancras.

Severnside Tours 'The Rylstone Rambler' ran from Swansea to Rylstone on March 16th. 25044 & 25060 were used over part of the route, the Toton - Shirebrook - Worksop - Tinsley - Crofton - Wakefield Kirkgate - Healey Mills as the outward leg. The return used the Class 25's from Healey Mills to Wakefield Kirkgate - Knottingley - Askern - Doncaster - Rotherham - Sheffield - Derby. The remainder of the journey was in the hands of pairs of Class 31/37's, though it is reported (and quite rightly so) that the best performance of the trip involved the Class 25's between Sheffield & Derby, with speeds in excess of 90mph recorded. This may have been 25044's last passenger working.

25044 was withdrawn during July.

	25044 passes through Manchester Victoria on a damp looking February 21st 1985. Photograph courtesy J Davenport.
	The end is near for 25044 at Watford Yard, seen here on May 25th 1985. By July the end will have come for 25044. Photograph courtesy Ian Hammond

1986
After lanquishing at Springs Branch 25044 was moved to Warrington on April 15th, here it was picked up on April 16th by the 9Z34 Crewe - Warrington - Doncaster withdrawn engine movement, 25044 joining 25119, 25226/245 for their last journey. It ended its days at Doncaster Works during July.

1987
On April 29th the movement of 25046 & 25160 from Polmadie to Thornton Jct brought all the Class 25’s remaining on the Scottish Region to one location.

The discovery of asbestos in some of the locomotives at Thornton Jct curtailed scrapping here, all those remaining were gradually shipped off to Vic Berry’s Leicester Yard. On June 11th it was left for 25046 & 25160 to be the last Class 25’s on the Scottish Region, on this day they journeyed south from Mossend to Carlisle.

On June 10th 25046, 25160 & 27016 began their final journey southwards from Thornton Yard, reaching Mossend on the first day, they left here on June 11th, the last Class 25's on the Scottish Region heading to Carlisle – Crewe - Leicester, arriving here on June 30th behind 31168. By the end of July 25046 was no more.

A line up of locomotives at Thornton Junction pending cutting up, seen here during February 1987. Photograph courtesy Ian Hammond.

Undated Views

	25044 Birkenhead.
	25044 motors through Manchester Victoria in heavy rain, the driver not bothered by this apparently. Photograph courtesy Ian Mawson
	These would prove to be the last Class 25's on the Scottish Region, 25046 & 25160 at Polmadie. They still have to be dragged to Thornton Jct, then back south to Mossend before finally leaving Scotland for ever, via Carlisle. Photograph courtesy Richard Howatt.

Page added June 20th 2005
Minor updated April 11th 2008

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