1964
This batch of locomotives were constructed at Derby Works during the last quarter of 1963, with all being delivered to Toton (16A) during January 1964. Remarkably for the greater part of the lives of these locomotive they would generally remain together when transferred. They were not boiler equipped, although their use on passenger workings during the summer months was quite frequent. They would also be some of the most transferred locomotives on British Railways, when withdrawn several held the record for transfers.
On December 18th 1963 D5241 & D5242 made their Works test run to Corby. D5243 had to wait until January 3rd 1964 before it could take its test run and D5245 went to Corby on January 20th 1964. In between the tests runs of D5241 & D5245 test trains from Derby to Corby also ran with D1698/D1700 (on New Year's Eve) and D1701/D1707 and D8567/D8568 in the middle of January 1964.
During April D5240 - D5242 moved south to Cricklewood (14B) then returning north to Leicester (15A) during June.
D5241 stands in the shadow of the great roof at St Pancras station on an unknown date. Photograph courtesy FW Smith.
The Southern Region experienced a number of problems with some of their electric locomotives, with many temporarily sidelined awaiting attention. This created a shortage of locomotives leading to D5240 - D5245 & D5247 moving to Hither Green (73C) during September. Despite this somewhat unusual transfer there are no reports of how the locomotives were used or any photographs of them during their brief stay south of the Thames. D5242 returned to Derby (16C) during September whilst all the others returned to Toton (16A) in November. D5242 moved to Cricklewood (14B) during November.
1965
Transfers during 1965 remained within the LMR, 5242/43/45 spent some time at Saltley (2E) whilst D5240/41 were transferred between Toton and Cricklewood (ML & M14).
The Birmingham area saw new adventures for the Type 2’s for during May a number were diagrammed for Birmingham New Street - Gloucester passenger workings, at least as far as Worcester where a WR steam loco took over, so noted on May 15th was D5243 giving way to Hall 5971.
The increasing fleet of Brush Type 4’s were now frequent visitors on the passenger workings out of St Pancras. This did not stop the Type 2’s continuing to blaze a trail over this route on July 23rd D7553 & D5243 covered the 12.12 Sheffield - St Pancras, August 13th D5211 on 17.37 Derby - St Pancras & D5225 on the 18.20 Nottingham - St Pancras.
1966
During April D5245 returned from Saltley to the Midland Lines (ML) pool. All other reallocations were between the Nottingham (M16 & D16), Cricklewood (M14) and Midland Lines (ML) locomotive pools.
1967
Only three transfers this year were 'internal' with D5243/44/45 moving to the Midland Lines (ML) in March & April. D5242 & D5244 moved to the Stoke Division (D05) during August however their stay was brief, D5242 quickly moved on to Longsight (9A) and D5244 to the Birmingham Division (D02).
Moving to the Hunslet Works at Leeds on September 29th was Jubilee 45596 ‘Bahamas’ for a major overhaul. D5242 provided the power from Stockport Edgeley shed via Diggle, Huddersfield, Mirfield, Healey Mills & Normanton. The Jubilee had lain at Stockport since retirement in June 1966 after suffering a hot axlebox, purchase for preservation taking place during August 1967.
D5214 & D5241 paid a Bank Holiday visit to Southend on an excursion from Bedford.
During the middle of September D212 & D5242 were used for driver training between Stockport & Buxton.
A begrimed D5244 is seen here in pretty much original condition, apart from the dirt. The washing of the cab windows has created streaks running down the cab front. Photographer not known.
1968
All but D5241 were moved during 1968 to LMR depots in the North West as part of the transfers needed to finally oust steam from British Railways. D5240 moved to the Preston Division (D10) in October, D5244 moved to Longsight (9A) in February and then joined D5242 on the Liverpool Division (D08) in May.
1970
During the middle of July a special cruise by the S.S. Manxman operated from Liverpool to Llandudno. As a way of promoting this sailing and adding a little spice to the average day trip, BR ran two excursions, one from Coventry to connect with the ship at Liverpool, the other using 5241 & 7652 took a special from Derby to Llandudno. These two machines returned the Coventry participants to Crewe, with E3004 & E3076 taking the train forward. The returning Derby travelers had 1831 from Liverpool to Crewe where the outbound 25’s took over for the run home to Derby.
1971
On June 29th 5242 & 7598 worked the 02.29 Toton - Eastleigh throughout, the normal exchange of power at Banbury did not occur as there were no replacements available. The Type 2's returned on the 14.30 Eastleigh - Washwood Heath freight.
1972
On March 8th shortly after 10am the 8M77 08.05 Whitemoor - Leicester goods train, hauled by a Class 25, believed to be 5291 was involved in collision with a loaded gravel lorry at Funtham's Lane level crossing near Whittlesea. The train was comprised of thirty two wagons (thirty loaded, two empty) and a brakevan, with a total weight, including the locomotive, of 798 tons. The loaded lorry weighed 23.5 tons. The lorry was able to enter the crossing, despite the approach of the good train because the interlocking protection between the crossing equipment and the signals had been rendered inoperative (against the Rule Book instructions) by the signalman and and signal technician.
The impact occurred at about 30mph, the Class 25 hitting the rear of the lorry. The lorry was seriously damaged, separating into several parts with the front of the lorry demolishing one of the barriers. The Class 25 suffered serious cab damage to one side, enough to trap the second man, who was driving the goods train, in the cab for ninety minutes. Despite this only cuts and bruises were sustained by the locomotive crew & lorry driver. The train was not derailed and the line was reopened by early afternoon - although the Class 25 required Works attention.
1973
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A damp day at Saltley on April 23rd 1973 finds 5243 and a Brush Type 4 sitting outside the fuelling shed.
Photograph courtesy Tony Sayer. |
5239 - 5242 were transferred to Tinsley during September.
1974
25093 moved to Haymarket in February, followed by 25094 to Eastfield in March, this machine transferred to Haymarket in May, both moved south to Springs Branch in October.
1975
The transfer situation for this group of locomotives became very confused during 1975.
February - 25093 & 25094 moved to Toton, by month end both are at Longsight.
March - 25094 moves to Springs Branch.
May - 25093 & 25094 move to Bristol.
July - 25090 - 25092 to Eastfield.
August - 25090 - 25092 do not stay long at Eastfield, 25090 moves to Longsight, 25091 to Bescot and 25092 to Toton. After all these individual moves 25091 - 25094 move to Laira.
October - 25091 - 25094 to Haymarket.
November - 25092 & 25093 go even further north - to Inverness - presumably their lack of boilers kept them only on freight workings.
On March 31st 25095 & 25259 worked the 09.20 Birmingham – Poole as far as Reading and a Coventry – Paignton excursion ran behind 25038 & 25188.
25092 received its last Works repair at Glasgow during March.
June 21st proved to be a banner day for Class 25 haulage on the North Wales main line, the 09.00 Llandudno – York had 25056, 09.23 Manchester – Llandudno with 25082, the following 10.33 service had 25278 whilst 25095 & 25090 hauled a Blythe Bridge – Llandudno relief. The 07.35 Nottingham – Llandudno arrived behind 25102, it had been double headed on June 7th with 25129 & 25131! Although all the Type 2’s performed well this day problems with other locomotives and a suicide near Colwyn Bay, involving 40150 required quick thinking by operating authorities to keep the traffic flowing on this busy Saturday. The next day Rhyl was graced with 24032 & 24140 on a special from Tamworth.
On July 5th a Glasgow - Scarborough extra, normally the province of a Class 40 was noted behind one of Eastfield’s newly arrived Type 2’s, 25092.
25094 removed seventeen milk tanks from the Hemyock branch on August 20th, the Unigate Factory having recently converted to road haulage, the only tanks remaining were for emergency use until the branch closed completely on October 31st.
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The Cornish countryside dwarfs 25093 running light engine near Lostwithiel on September 17th 1975. 25091 - 25094 spent August & September allocated to Laira.
Photograph courtesy Tony Sayer. |
October 4th found 25093 & 25096 in charge of the 09.35 Penzance – Wolverhampton working throughout, one can now only imagine those fortunate enough to get such a long run behind these two Type 2's with the Devon banks and Lickey incline thrown in for good measure!
1976
The frenzied transfer activity of 1975 was not followed this year, during May 25092 & 25093 moved to Eastfeld, during July both went north to Inverness, but were back at Eastfield by the end of July. 25094 arrived at Eastfield during August.
A new contract to move pipes from Leith Docks to several long distance locations including Derby, Wisbech and Salisbury, and shorter hauls to Carlisle, Darlington, Law Jct, Maud & Montrose would provide much work for pairs of Haymarket Class 25’s. The Leith – Salisbury diagram involved the Scottish Type 2’s working as far as Didcot, examples noted were 25011 & 25026 (March 13th) and 25002 & 25317 (March 27th), 25018 & 25031 (April 10th), 25026 & 25092 (April 24th), the locomotives generally returning north light, at least as far as the Birmingham area.
Further tests with Warflat wagons took place between Derby & Long Marston, 25205 was noted on July 1st, 25095 on July 27th.
Longsight Class 25’s were diagrammed to handle the Saturday’s only Manchester – Lincoln leg of the service to Yarmouth, but during July this occurred only once on 17th with 25090 & 25146. Their return working should be the 09.15 ex Yarmouth.
1977
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On a gloriously sunny day in 1977 25094 stands at Toton
Photograph courtesy 'Old Buffers.com'. |
25092 & 25094 were transferred to Eastfield during October, though 25094 did not stay there long, it moved to Crewe by month end.
1978
The first of this group of locomotives to be withdrawn was 25091 during October, the following month the Scottish Region released 25092 & 25093 to Crewe.
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A familiar scene at Crewe as 25094 and a relatively ex-works 25133 head north through the station with a mixed freight on August 23rd 1978.
Photograph courtesy John Powell. |
1979
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A gloomy February 24th 1979 finds withdrawn 25091 at Eastfield slowly surrendering a multitude of parts to its more fortunate shedmates. |
March continued to see the 15.15 Plymouth – Manchester receive mixed power from Gloucester, observed were 25095 (13th), 25133 (14th) and 25118 (22nd), the latter in charge of ten coaches.
When the summer schedules commenced the 08.02 Walsall – Yarmouth was again in the hands of Class 25’s, 25130 & 25135 noted May 26th, with the 10.10 Euston – Aberystwyth going forward from Birmingham New Street behind 25032 & 25095.
On July 23rd 25090 was in charge of the 07.47 Manchester – Bangor, the following week (August 3rd) 46001 was on this service.
25094 & 25056 worked to Hither Green with October 16th’s 11.45 ex Brent returning with the 10.57 Shepherdswell – Cricklewood.
The detailed reporting available from the TOPS computer system as well as keeping track of locomotive movements allowed a detailed look at works shopping and maintenance histories. As 1979 closed eight Class 25’s were overdue for either intermediate or general overhaul. The most delinquent was 25092 which had been scheduled for an intermediate repair in December 1978, instead it was transferred to Cricklewood during December!
1980
25093 & 25094 moved to Toton in February, then to Cricklewood in July and back to Toton in October. 25090 also moved in October but to Springs Branch.
25092 was withdrawn during May from Cricklewood, being initially stored at Toton, finally reaching Derby Works during September.
 | 25092 has been withdrawn for several of months and is seen here at Toton on August 31st 1980
Photograph courtesy Adrian Healey. |
*****Because of the implications of this derailment the Class 86/0’s regained their 80 mph speed restriction whilst the use of Classes 81 – 85 on air braked, air conditioned trains was permitted. Despite these alterations the northern end of the WCML saw a number of electrically hauled freights substituting with diesel power including the use of Class 25’s. So noted were 25095 on a late evening Willesden – Runcorn freight and 25105 & 25159 on a mid-day Carlisle – Severn Tunnel Jct freight.
On December 20th evening travellers on a Liverpool Lime St – Manchester Victoria dmu required rescuing by the following Wigan service. The late hour, heavy rain and continued malfunctioning equipment eventually saw 25090 summonsed from Spring Branch to get the dmu to its destination, reached almost two hours late, long after the last busses had run!
 | On a dull July 7th 1980 25090 negotiates the point work at the south end of Mossend Yard. |
1981
During February 25094 was withdrawn from Toton, although it was initially stored at Etches Park.
25093 was transferred to Cricklewood during April, later being transferred to Bescot in December.
25092 & 25094 from the cab of another Class 25, Derby Works
Photograph courtesy Mark Bennett
At the beginning of August Swindon contained thirty nine Class 25’s whilst Derby Works finally broke up the remains of 25295 which had been withdrawn back in June 1978, the honour of being the longest withdrawn now passed to 25092, retired in May 1980 and also at Derby.
1982
25095 moved to Toton during February, 25090 went to Crewe in October, then to Bescot during November. 25093 was also withdrawn during November and would visit several scrapyards before finally being laid to rest.
On the North Wales mainline April 24th found Type 2’s in abundance on Manchester – Bangor passenger workings. 25093 worked the 7.42 Manchester – Bangor and 11.03 return, whilst the 9.42 (and 13.38 return) & 17.42 Manchester – Bangor utilised 25067, elsewhere 25120 powered the 15.42 Manchester – Bangor, on the 19.25 return working 25086 took over at Llandudno Jct.
 | A stripped out 25094 awaits scrapping at Derby Works, seen here on February 6th 1982.
Photograph courtesy Jerry Glover. |
 | A fine view of 25090 in the vicinity of Manchester Victoria on May 31st 1982.
Photograph courtesy Martin Bray. |
During June the honour of being the longest retired Class 25 passed from 25092 (withdrawn May 1980) to 25023, as the former was broken up at Derby.
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25093 is lifted clear of its bogies at Toton on September 18th 1982.
Photograph courtesy Tony Sayer. |
The withdrawal of 25093 during November was unremarkable apart from it being BR’s most transferred machine to date, with twenty eight moves to its credit, it was initially stored at Crewe. Following its withdrawal the honour passed to 47556 with twenty four moves.
1983
25095 moved to Cricklewood during January whilst withdrawn 25093 & 25248 moved from Crewe to Derby on February 3rd 1983.
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There is clearly no doubt as to the identity of 25090 seen here at Crewe on February 19th 1983.
Photograph courtesy Phillip Moore. |
On May 23rd 25090 was withdrawn from Bescot, leaving just 25095 of this group still in service. By June 25090 was at Toton.
1984
During January 25095 moved to Bescot, whilst here one of its more unusual workings was to cover for a shortage of a DMU on February 8th's 16.35 Derby - Nottingham, coming back with the 17.20 to Birmingham New Street, but only working as far as Derby, where a serviceable DMU had been found.
Class 25’s were still frequent visitors to Parkeston, often heading back to the LMR on the evening Parkeston – Ditton working so noted were 25211 (Jan 27th), 25199 & 25231 (Feb 8th), 25095 & 25212 (Feb 16th).
25090 finally made its final trip - to Swindon between July 10-13th accompanied by 25056/115/139. It would finally be broken up at Swindon during February 1985.
25095 & 25154 handled August 8th's 07.35 Euston - Aberystwyth forward from Wolverhampton returning with the 14.00 to Shrewsbury.
1985
The final transfer for 25095 came during July when it was transferred to Crewe.
On July 2nd 25095 worked the 07.49 Manchester – Cardiff continuing the diagram for the rest of the day and working the 3rd’s midday Cardiff – Crewe. A week later (July 9th) the Parkeston – Arpley tanks was noted at Chesterfield behind 25032 & 25095.
Derby Works had already initiated a big clear out of the withdrawn machines earlier in the year, on July 23rd eight more left the Works for the last time with 25093, 25105/164, 25234/248/260, 25312/319 running as the 9X12 17.05 Derby Works - Swindon Works hauled by 45060
Class 25’s visiting the Huddersfield area in early December included 25095 & 25145 (4th) on oil tanks, recently renumbered 25904 (12th) on a freight and 25912 (18th) on a ballast working.
1986
Active service for 25095 came to an end following its withdrawal at Crewe on July 23rd.
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Its July 27th 1986 at Crewe depot and 25095 has been out of service for four days. The standard yellow fronted Class 25 on the right shows just how much 25095 has been customised with extra numbers and other paintwork 'improvements'.
Photograph courtesy Steve Houlker. |
1987
After ten months dumped at Crewe 25095 was moved to Vic Berry's Leicester on May 29th accompanied by 25034/037/190/199.
Despite 25093 being dragged down to Swindon Works for breaking events overtook this action with the Works closing and clearance of the scrap locomotives being consigned to Vic Berry of Leicester. They chose to have the locomotives removed by rail to their Leicester facility, possibly due to the presence of asbestos within some of the locomotive carcasses. Thus on June 3rd 25093, 25126/134/161/164/180/193, 25207/208/260, 25306/327 were moved from Swindon Work to Cocklebury Yard.
Later that day 25093, 25180/193 & 25306 were towed from Cocklebury Yard to Vic Berry's, Leicester arriving the next day. 25093, or identifiable parts of it would linger in Berry's yard until February 1988.
1988
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A badly burned 25095 sits atop 27208, whilst on the bottom row sits 25058 which has the cab of 20039 leaning against it. Scenes of course unique to Vic Berrys, Leicester - the date is June 5th 1988.
Photograph courtesy Jerry Glover. |
1989
25095 lingered at Berry's until January 1989, always unmistakeable to the end with its unique modified black window surrounds.
Undated Views
25090
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An undated view of a slightly derailed 25090 at Springs Branch.
Photograph courtesy Ian Hammond. |
