The twenty two year career of D7551/25201 was entirely spent allocated to London Midland Region depots.

Built: BR Derby Locomotive Works.
Dual braked (1974).
Time between last Classified repair and withdrawal: 80 months.
Time between withdrawal and scrapping: 11 months.

Allocations

D7551 was new to the Nottingham Division (D16) on June 19th 1965. Further transfers were:

October 1965 to Leicester Division (D15).
August 1967 to Nottingham Division (D16).
October 1967 to Carlisle Kingmoor (12A).
January 1968 to Springs Branch (8F).
May 1968 to Allerton (8J).
June 1968 the Liverpool Division (D08).
September 1968 to Preston Division (D10).
May 1973 to Carlisle Kingmoor.
January 1975 to KD.
May 1986 to Crewe.
Withdrawn January 28th 1987.

Renumbered March 30th 1974.

Carried the name Castell - Y - Bere (at least by February 1st 1987).

25201 was the 304th Class 25 to be withdrawn, one of four Class 25s retired during January 1987, leaving 23 Class 25s remaining in service.

After withdrawal 25201 was stored at Basford Hall until moved to Leicester on July 29th 1987 with 25173 & 25288, and moved into Vic Berry's Yard the next day. 25201 was broken up by the third week of January 1988.

Works Visits

Works visits (records incomplete).

Noted ex-works May 1969.
Noted Derby Works December 1972.
Noted Derby Works March 1974 (dual braking equipment fitted).
Noted Derby Works May - September 1976.
Noted Derby Works September 1978 - January 1979.
Noted Derby Works March - May 1980 (general repair).

Highlights

1968
On June 10th the 09.00 Manchester Victoria - Glasgow Central was worked to Carlisle by 7551 & 1620.

1969
On August 1st the 23.45 Newcastle - Stranraer Harbour was worked throughout by 7551 & 5283, the locomotives returning with August 2nd's 13.50 Stranraer Harbour - Newcastle.

1972
On December 11th 7551 made a test run from Derby Works.

The snag sheet for December 11th recorded:

1974
On March 26th 25201 made a test run from Derby Works.

The snag sheet for March 26th recorded:

No.1 end leading, No.2 end for recording.

Load regulator glass??
Speedometer jumper
Oil leak from inlet manifold.

The night of December 3rd produced heavy rain and high winds leading to a tarpaulin cover on the 22.23 Gushetfaulds - Dudley freightliner working loose and damaging the overhead equipment between Carstairs & Lamington. The damaged overhead line equipment affected the following trains, a Gushetfaulds - Garston freightliner causing one of its locomotives to lose a pantograph. The train behind this, a Glasgow - Euston passenger became trapped and would reach Carlisle over four hours late. Other trains were diverted away from the WCML, with the consequent serious late running. By the next morning Class 47s were on duty at Carstairs to assist electric services through the section. However the troubles were not over, in the early afternoon of December 4th a Kingmoor - Ravenscraig freight with 25201 was stopped at Symington with part of its load fouling the up line, it would take two hours to secure the load and clear the line.

1975
On August 8th 25201 was eastbound at Chester with a loaded ballast train.

1977

The 20.45 Barrow - Euston was worked to Preston by 25201 on August 19th.

1978
April 1st found 25201 with five coaches working the 'Hundred of Wirral' railtour out of Liverpool Lime Street to various locations on the Wirral peninsula. Reversals were necessary at West Kirby & New Brighton, with 25294 being added to the rear between Birkenhead North & Heswall.

1979
On May 29th 25201 worked the 16.02 Crewe - Cardiff and on May 30th worked the 17.10 Cardiff - Crewe.

On the afternoon of June 7th 25201 was stabled at York.

25201 was the Manchester Victoria banker (T42) on October 21st.

On December 1st 25201 was at Reddish undergoing electrical testing.

1980

On June 29th 25201 & 25221 were stabled at Speke Junction.

25201 was noted at Warrington Arpley on October 15th.

On November 12th spruced up 25201 & 25200 worked an empty four coach Royal Train from Aberystwyth to Wolverton(?), the Royal Train having run overnight taking Prince Charles to a royal engagement in Aberystwyth.

1981
On March 3rd 25033, 25131, 25201 & 25318 were stabled at Guide Bridge. On March 8th 25201 was stabled at March.

25201 was noted at Lancaster on July 25th with five coaches, possibly an empty coaching stock move.

At 00.55 on August 19th 25201 arrived at Holbeck off the E51 turn. It later went out on the K59 tripper and returned to Holbeck at 10.30am.

On September 6th 25201 & 25234 took over the 08.20 Northampton - Aberystwyth day excursion at Nuneaton but got no further than Birmingham New Street where they were failed and replaced.

New freight contracts out of Heysham brought a considerable influx of Class 25s to the area, working the South Leith – Heysham coated gas pipes and return empties for use at the Morecambe Bay gas field project. During October 25201 & 25207 were regular performers on this working, being noted on the 6Z22 15.30 Heysham Harbour - Leith South empty pipe flats on October 16th.

On November 6th 25200 & 25201 worked the Leith South - Heysham Harbour pipe train. The northbound empties were noted later that day at Bare Lane with only 25201.

1982
On January 30th 25201 was stabled at Buxton.

On February 28th 25201 was stabled at Buxton.

On March 6th 25201 was stabled at Newton Heath.

On the evening of March 9th 25201 was stabled at York.

The 10.00 Crewe - Cardiff was worked by 25201 on June 4th.

25201 was noted dragging a failed two-car diesel multiple unit through Manchester Victoria station en-route to Newton Heath depot on July 26th.

25201 was stabled at Buxton depot on August 8th.

On September 5th 25201 was stabled at Birkenhead.

On September 9th the Bickershaw Colliery to Carrington power station merry-go-round was worked by 25201, an unusual choice for this turn. A run round was required in the loop at Stoney Bridge near Skelton Junction, to allow access to the branch to Partington Junction.

1983
25201 & 25202 (both equipped with three piece miniature snowploughs) ran light through Crewe station on February 26th.

25201 was stabled at Longsight on May 28th.

25201 was noted stabled at Rugby station on July 17th in company with three other Class 25s.

Engineering work on August 7th between Rugby & Bletchley saw 25201 & 25079 assist three electric services over the affected section where the power was off.

It was off to the seaside on August 11th when 25201 worked the 09.37 Derby - Skegness relief and the 18.10 return. Towards the end of the month on August 29th a Nelson - Largs mystery excursion was worked Nelson - Preston and return by 25201 & 25178.

On September 7th 25201 worked two passenger trains, the 18.23 Barrow - Liverpool to Preston, where it was terminated, then the 21.00 Preston - Crewe relief. On September 14th 25201 worked the Warcop trip freight, being noted northbound at Long Meg.

25201 was noted at Preston on October 9th. On October 26th 1983 25201 worked the 20.15 Tees – Bescot Speedlink.

1984
On January 4th 25201 was light engine at Gaer Junction.

25201 was stabled at Carnforth station on January 15th.

On February 23rd 25201 was southbound at Warrington Bank Quay with a special of ten ICI tanks, two barrier vehicles and a brake van from Heysham to Severn Beach.

25201 was stabled at Severn Tunnel Junction on February 25th.

When 31424 failed at Leicester on May 15th working the 07.40 Norwich - Birmingham New Street, 25201 took over and later continued with the 12.30 Birmingham New Street - Peterborough and 17.20 return. On May 22nd 25072, 25201 & 25211 had been noted in the Rugby area working permanent way trains, in the evening they ran light to Bescot.

On June 21st 25201 was noted light engine at Bletchley.

31289 & 25201 were noted at Radlett with a southbound engineers train on June 24th.

25201 came to the rescue again on July 6th when 31423 failed at Nuneaton working the 16.45 Norwich - Birmingham New Street, 25201 completed the working. Two days later (8th) 25201 worked the 17.20 Birmingham New Street - Norwich as far as Leicester, where 31210 took over. On July 29th 25196/25201/25231/25283 were at Willesden depot whilst 25058, 25191, 25285 + 25249 were nearby on permanent way trains.

The Ditton BOC - Broughton Lane tanks continued the use of a Class 25 & 40 pairing, being worked on August 22nd by 25201 & 40028. Four days (26th) later 25201 & 25239 assisted an ailing 85025 throughout on the 02.35 Euston - Bletchley. On August 29th 25201 & 25218 were noted southbound through Warrington Bank Quay with oil tankers.

25201 was noted northbound at Carlisle on the wet evening of September 22nd with loaded cartics.

An oil tank train from Stanlow was noted passing through Chester with 25191 & 25201 on the night of October 1st.

On November 4th 25201 was stabled at Leeds station.

25201 was on hand to cover another failure, this time the diesel multiple unit on November 15th's 17.44 Nottingham - Sleaford and 20.40 Sleaford - Lincoln Central.

On December 1st 25201 worked northbound from Neasden to at least Aylesbury with two barrier wagons and two brakevans, having brought a modified London Underground 1983 Jubilee Line set back from Saltley to Neasden.

On the evening of December 8th 25201 worked a Manchester - Preston parcels.

On December 20th 25284 & 25201 were noted at Cwmbran with the 6S75 12.25 Severn Tunnel Junction - Mossend freight.

For 25201 Christmas 1984 was spent stabled at Springs Branch.

1985
On a snowy January 19th 25201 was stabled at Birkenhead.

25201 was stabled at March on March 30th.

On April 23rd the evening Bristol – Newcastle parcels was noted at Chesterfield with 25201 & 25245.

May 1st: 25201 was in charge of the 15.02 Manchester – Bristol parcels.
May 5th: 25201 & 25245 worked the 18.28 Liverpool - Barrow.
May 6th: 25201 & 25245 worked the 16.40 Nottingham - Barrow and the 21.50 Barrow - Crewe to Preston.
May 25th: 25201 arrived Crewe station with parcels coaches and later shunting two guards vans.
May 29th afternoon: 25173 & 25201 were noted on the ECML at Thirsk with a train of coal empties.

During August 25201 was connected to a couple of Class 33 workings. The failure of 33050 at Shrewsbury on August 24th's 05.33 Cardiff - Crewe saw 25201 take the train forward to Crewe. On August 27th 25201 was noted at Nuneaton with bogie ballast wagons. And on August 28th the 07.19 Manchester Piccadilly - Cardiff was worked forward from Crewe by 25201 & 33004. On August 30th 25201 was noted at Warrington 12 Arches bridge with oil tanks.

September 5th: 25201 light engine at Stafford.
September 6th: 25201 & 25191 worked the afternoon Dalston - Grangemouth oil tanks.
September 12th: 47520 failed at Chester working the 17.03 Holyhead - York, 25201 took the service to Manchester Victoria.
September 15th: 25201 stabled at Severn Tunnel Junction.
September 17th: the 07.45 Glasgow Central - Birmingham New Street with 87034 dragged between Crewe & Stafford by 25201 & 25173.

On October 10th 25201 was eastbound at Stoke-on-Trent with empty container flats from Holyhead for Derby.

On October 22nd 25201 was noted light engine at Ravensthorpe.

When 56105 failed on an afternoon York – Tees coal empties on November 28th, 25175 & 25201 were provided for the remainder of the trip. They later returned south on an evening salt working to Reading.

Perhaps the most interesting passenger working for 1985 for 25201 was on December 14th when it worked the 11.14 Bangor - Newcastle as far as York. Three days later (17th) 25908 & 25201 were noted on a Margam – Crewe coal empties. On December 19th 25201 & 25230 were noted southbound passing Normanton with short wheelbase oil tankers.

25201 was stabled at Newton Heath on December 26th.

1986
On January 30th a special Severn Tunnel Junction - Exeter cartic working arrived behind 25201.

The 3B05 SO 07.45 Holyhead (or Bangor?) to Bletchley Yard empty NPCCS vans on March 1st was noted passing Holywell Junction & Atherstone with 25201.

25201 was stabled at Derby London Road curve on March 8th.

On April 1st 25201 was receiving attention to its bogies at Crewe Diesel depot.

Services from Stanlow continued to see paired Class 25s, the Leeds tankers included 25201 & 25202 on April 18th. The next day (19th) the same pair were noted westbound at Manchester Victoria with bogie oil tankers

May 8th: 25201 was eastbound at Rhyl with a Speedlink service for Warrington Arpley.
May 15th: 25201 noted with a permanent way train at Stockport.
May 18th: 25201 noted light engine at Manchester Victoria.
May 21st: 25201 at Guide Bridge.
May 23rd: 25201 Manchester Victoria station pilot/banker.
May 26th: 25201 was noted at Chester with a 21 wagon Speedlink freight and also noted this day at Longsight.
May 27th: 31454 failed at Manchester Victoria with the 05.23 Hull - Liverpool, 25201 dragged everything to Liverpool.
May 29th: 25201 noted at Chester Dee junction with a Speedlink service.
May 30th 25201 worked a three wagon afternoon Llandudno Junction - Warrington Speedlink.

On July 31st 25201 was stabled at Manchester Victoria.

On August 10th 25201 was the Manchester Victoria banker.

The 18.20 Glasgow Central - Manchester Victoria was taken forward from Preston by 25201 on August 12th. 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 (25th) the same locomotives worked a roundtrip Manchester Victoria - Liverpool football special.

25201 was at Leekbrook Junction on September 17th.

25201 was noted eastbound at Manchester Victoria with a parcels train on October 11th comprised of twenty two vehicles. 25201 was receiving attention at Crewe depot on October 19th.

On October 31st 25201 was noted running through Huddersfield with a rake of coaches, later that day it was noted in charge of the 15.02 Manchester – Bristol parcels.

The last four recorded passenger workings for 25201 were all the result of failures and were scattered across the country. On November 3rd 47468 failed at Chester with the 13.00 Bangor - York, 25201 took the train forward to Manchester Victoria.

On December 5th 31408 expired at Leicester on the 10.30 Birmingham New Street - Norwich, 25201 took the train forward to March, being replaced by 37209. It was noted stabled at March depot the next day (6th). On December 10th 25201 was noted at Aberystwyth.

On December 30th a Cardiff - Manchester Piccadilly service failed on departure behind 47564, 25201 is reported to have worked the train to Crewe.

1987
The final recorded passenger working for 25201 took place on January 5th assisting a diesel multiple unit on the 16.45 Kidderminster - Birmingham New Street forward from Stourbridge Junction.

25201 had earlier worked the Guide Bridge - Hartshill working on January 13th. The TOPS report showed it as out of service at Nuneaton on January 17th with loss of power, could its entrapment at Hartshill have something to do with this? Time was running out for 25201, it was noted at Toton on the morning of January 23rd (for repairs?), by the early morning of January 25th it was at Bedford and moved on to Bletchley by the evening of January 26th but again reporting loss of power. Its next move was to Crewe arriving in the early hours of January 29th where it was promptly withdrawn.

Distinguishing Features
Black Cab Front Numbers: added sometime after December 1986.
Three piece miniature snowploughs: fitted both cabs at least February 1980 to at least May 1985 & assumed to be continuous.

Not all passenger workings are recorded on this page.

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flk 0622 (4692)

Page added January 28th 2013.
Last updated June 26th 2022.

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