An ex-works view of D7667, despite being very near to the end of the production run it still carries the footsteps to nowhere, the boiler room grille and the original location of the exhaust port.
1967
D7667 and D7668 were laid down at Derby Works during the autumn of 1966 under order number 11001, with both being delivered to the London Division (D01) during January - essentially Willesden would be their home depot.
D7667 was the 1,000th diesel locomotive constructed at Derby Works and carried two small plaques in recognition of this fact. This special
number would not have been achieved had the original builders allocations been carried out. D7667 was part of a lot successfully bid for by Beyer Peacock,
Manchester. However due to their worsening financial situation the last seventeen machines were transferred back to Derby, including D7667.
Twelve new, airbraked Type 2's (D7660 - 7671) were allocated to Willesden to take over the empty coaching stock, parcels and local freight duties in the London area.
With the arrival of these locomotives it was possible to release the remaining Class 24's to the Stoke Division, as part of the eradication of steam in the North West.
1969
The derailment of a number of wagons of August 8th's 00.30 Wolverhampton - Ripple Lane at Kings Langley whilst on the up slow line caused quite an operating headache. The
wreckage partially fouled the up fast, being run into by the 19.45 Perth - Kensington Motorail hauled by E3129. Although damage to this train was minor a number of coaches were derailed.
For the Motorail terminal at Kensington a very busy weekend ensued. With Kensington servicing trains to St Austell, Fishguard and Perth, all in a very short period
of time problems could quickly escalate due to the limited loading facilities and the necessity to separate the passenger coaches from the Cartics. Willesden's 7667 & 7669 were on the
terminal's shunting duties that night and required some smart workmanship in train marshaling, especially following the delayed arrival of the vehicles from the derailed train.
This was not made any easier by the use of this route for a variety of scheduled inter regional freights and other special movements.
1970
On the south side of London Hither Green was frequently visited by Willesden's Class 25's, the 8M83 14.52 Hither Green - Willesden being regularly used to return the visitors
to the LMR, so noted in a short period during October were 7531, 7662/67/69. During October 7667 was briefly at Derby Works.
1971
7666 - 7669 were transferred to the Birmingham Division (D02) during January.
1972
7668/69 were transferred to the Liverpool Division (D08) during July.
1973
After two years in the Birmingham area 7667 moved to the Liverpool Division (D08) in January.
 |
7667 was one of the few Class 25's to receive blue livery from new. Seen here in the rain at Saltley on April 23 1973 the Liverpool Division (D08) had been the home of 7667 since January.
Photograph courtesy Tony Sayer. |
1974
25317 was noted in Derby Works during May.
 |
Its sometime in December 1974 as 25317 is lit up by one of the yard lights as it stands in front of the old steam shed.
Photograph courtesy Tom Sutch. |
1975
25318 was at Derby Works during August and September.
1976
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.
1977
Gosford Green freightliner terminal commenced a new daily service to Scotland from December 7th, 25317 took out the first service, specially seen off by the Lord Mayor of Coventry.
 |
Toton 25318, August 13th 1977.
Photograph courtesy ??
|
1978
After 47500 failed at Bristol on December 27th with the 13.55 Glasgow - Taunton, the only available power was 25298 & 25318 for the run west.
1979
25283 & 25318 were in charge of the 07.35 Toton - Halling coal as far as Hither Green on February 26th, returning with the 10.57 ex Shepherdswell.
It was off to Blackpool on July 14th, with an unidentified Class 25 hauling the 08.25 Leicester - Blackpool North and 14.25 return working.
During October 7667 was at Derby Works undergoing repair.
1980
On June 7th the 17.10 Cardiff - Crewe failed at Ludlow behind 25323, the following 13.20 Cranmore - Ellesmere Port with 25283 & 25318 pushed the train to Craven Arms where the two Type 2's took over the Crewe service.
 |
On June 6th 1980 25318 was noted at Guide Bridge - for its activities the next day see the note above. |
1981
Although the West Country was now without an allocation of Class 25's they were still frequent visitors, 25266 & 25318 were noted on January 29th in charge of the loaded Ellesmere Port - Riverside tar tanks and the afternoon return empties.
The last day of May witnessed an Open Day at Coalville, about twenty locomotives were on display, including 25318.
 |
25318 at Coalville Open Day May 31st 1981.
|
 |
Surrounded by the 'tools of the trade' 25317 rests at Springs Branch on July 26 1981.
Photograph courtesy Tony Sayer.
|
1982
On March 14th the 15.02 Manchester - Bristol parcels failed at Shrewsbury behind 25314, nearby 25318 & 25319 on a Cranmore - Ellesmere Port tank train took the parcels forward to Hereford. Here 25318 continued south, still with 25314 attached, whilst 25319 returned north to continue on with the tank train.
25318 was taken out of service on July 25th, being noted dumped at Toton during August.
25317's last transfer came in October, with Crewe becoming its final home.
 |
Two views of 25317 at Preston on May 12th 1982 with one of the APT sets.
Photograph courtesy Jerry Glover.
|
 |
25317 as it heads north through Preston station.
Photograph courtesy Jerry Glover.
|
1983
25318 moved from Toton to Glasgow Works during February, though initially setting off in a southerly direction as February 3rd's Toton - Bescot then as the February 9th's 8M78 01.20 Bescot - Warrington, then February 18th's 9Z73 14.00 Warrington - Blackburn, then February 21st's 9Z73 08.10 Blackburn - Carlisle and finally February 22nd's 06.30 Carlisle - Glasgow Works. By February 27th the locomotive was finally noted in Glasgow Works.
On March 9th 1983 25317 working the 15.02 Manchester - Bristol parcels failed at Wem, Shrewsbury sent out 47197 to assist, the failed Class 25 being dumped at Hereford.
Withdrawal for 25317 came the following month, April, initially stored at Crewe but moving to Derby Works via Toton between June 28 & July 3. At the time of its withdrawal 25317 had run seven years since its last Works overhaul.
 |
25317 stands surrounded by other members of the class at Derby Works on November 26th 1983. Despite having been withdrawn for six months the locomotive looks in reasonable condition for a 'scrapper'.
Photograph courtesy Phillip Moore.
|
1984
Glasgow still contained two withdrawn examples - 25028 & 25318.
1985
Due to the cutting up dispute at Derby 25317's stay here was prolonged, not leaving the Works until February 4 1985 as part of the second convoy of scrap machines sent out to Swindon Works.
1986
For 25317 another year was spent rotting at Swindon before the breakers there finally laid the locomotive to rest during April.
 |
25318 & 25028 gather dust at Glasgow Works, seen here on September 6th 1986.
Photograph courtesy Paul Bettany.
|
1987
As part of the process to clear Glasgow Works of its scrap locomotives movements were made to Thornton Junction with the intent to have Vic Berry dispose of the locomotives here. On January 29th 25028, 25318, 27016/027 made this move. Unfortunately asbestos was discovered in some of the locomotives so the decision was made to send them on to Leicester for proper treatment of the asbestos.
Thus 47238 hauled 25028, 25318, 26013 as a Thornton Jct - Mossend - Carlisle - Crewe - Leicester convoy between June 3rd - 9th. 25318 did not linger here, by month end it had been cut up.
 |
Not quite sure of the date or location for this view of 25318, it may be at Vic Berry's, Leicester.
Photograph courtesy Ian Mawson.
|
Undated Views
 |
D7668 perhaps a year or so out of Derby Works, a bit mucky, but in as delivered condition. Even this final batch of Type 2's were delivered with the through steam pipe, the flexible coupling just visible in the photograph. These flexible hoses and their associated fittings would gradually be removed over time.
Photographer not known.
|
