1962
D5030 was at Derby Works during April, June & October, whilst all three were present at Derby in November.
1963
In February D5031 returned to Willesden (1A) & D5032 made a visit to Derby Works - had the awesome winter of 1962/63 affected it? D5031 visited Derby Works during March and D5032 returned for another visit in June. As the year closed D5030 & D5031 were at Derby Works.
Photograph courtesy Alec Swain/Transport Treasures
Watford maintained a very small allocation of Class 24's during the early 1960's. In this view dated July 3rd 1965 Crewe Works second built Class 24, D5031 shunts coaching stock along side Watford station. The locomotive appears to have been outshopped recently with a strange variant in its paint job, the white band does not continue acroos the cab front!
1964
On June 14th an excursion from the Derby area to a North Wales resort featured D5030 & D5002. Presumably deputising for a Type 4 D5031 & D5141 worked the 19.40 Euston - Perth out of Euston on August 7th.
By September D5030 was at Derby Works and would not be released until January 1965, it was joined there by D5032 in November, which also stayed on works until January 1965.
1965
During December D5032 moved north to Bletchley (1E).
1966
January saw D5030 joining D5032 at Bletchley (1E), D5032 was back at Derby in February, in May D5030 arrived, not leaving Derby Works until June. July saw D5030 back at Derby, in September it was the turn of D5031, and during October both D5031 & D5032 spent time in Derby Works.
1967
With the southern end of the WCML electrification now complete D5030 - D5032 became part of the large migration northwards, they were transferred to the Stoke Division (D05) in August.
1968
Derby Works was graced by 5031 in August and 5030 in November.
1969
On April 1st the 10.50 Elswick (Newcastle) - Ellesmere Port special (7Z21) had 5195 & 5031 whilst at noon the next day 5112 was noted at Malton with DE900271, a maroon inspection saloon.
5030 received an Intermediate repair at Derby during June.
Chaos reigned at Chester in the early hours of July 9th after the 02.25 Birkenhead - Etruria iron ore train, weighing approximately 1,000 tons and hauled by 1617 was reported out of control and diverted into the diesel depot to avoid the station area. Two locomotives and eleven wagons were derailed, with 5031/43/93 & 5138/39 extensively damaged. The crew on the Class 47 escaped major injury, though were treated for shock, not surprisingly. The latter four machines were quickly placed to store at Chester and then withdrawn during August, joining stored machines 5007/10/17/19 already there.
1970
5032 was noted at Derby Works in February & December.
A treat for enthusiasts at the London end of the WCML on August 8th was the arrival of Crewe based 5032 & 5040 on a southbound coal train (to Chelsea Basin?). Although once very familiar to this area, by this time they were rarely seen south of Rugby. Their return to the north was very prompt, light engines only.
1971
5031 was at Derby Works for repair from July to September.
1972
5032 was noted at Derby Works during October.
1973
On April 27th 5032 & 5145 were diagrammed for the 1K00 03.55 Crewe - Stoke on Trent newspaper train. On joining the mainline at Kidsgrove the regular reversal took place back into the 'Up' mainline platform to allow for the newspaper work to be carried out. Unfortunately after standing a short while in the platform the train was rear-ended by the 8K52 02.20 Ordsall Lane - Cresswell goods train hauled by 5049 & 5042. Although the impact speed was only about 10-12mph 5049 sustained a crushed cab leading to the death of the secondman, who was at the controls. A visit to Derby by 5031 occurred during November.
1974
24030 spent May - June at Derby Works, during August 24032 arrived for its last classified repair, completed during October, at which time 24030 was also present.
Photograph courtesy Ian Walmsley
24030 sparkles in the hazy summer sun of July 8th 1974 at Northwich, about a month after outshopping from Derby Works. The gangway doors have been sheeted over, the builders plate has been fitted on the cab door and the boiler water tanks remain in place. Behind 24030 is blue liveried 24021, but still carrying the 'Lion & Wheel' emblom!
1975
June 22nd saw Rhyl graced with 24032 & 24140 on a special from Tamworth.
The summer of 1975 brought major inroads into the Class 24's including 24031 which was stored during July and was withdrawn in September.
1976
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A chilly Sunday morning at Crewe finds 24030 on engineering work, January 18th 1976. 24030's working days are almost over, by July the locomotive will be withdrawn. Almost sixteen years have gone by since D5030 was released from Crewe Works with shiny paint and much fanfare. |
Attrition slowly claimed the surviving Class 24's, 24030 went to store in February and withdrawn in July, 24032 was stored in the first week of May at Bescot and finally retired on July 17th.
24032 however would not languish in a rusting scrap line like many of her sisters. Five days after withdrawal the Class 24 travelled from Bescot under its own power having been sold for scrap to T J Thomson of Stockton. En route it hauled 03096 from York to Thornaby before running light to Stockton.
24032 quickly came to the attention of the operating authorities on the North Yorks Moors Railway - the dry hot summer of 1976 had seen their steam locomotives sidelined due to the danger of lineside fires. 08212 had been hired but suffered a seized traction motor and bent coupling rod, following this a diesel multiple unit was hired. Negotiations between the Managing Director of TJ Thomson and the NYMR, later followed by approval from the BRB allowed 24032 to begin a one year term on the NYMR. It was necessary to remove the BR symbol and the '24' from the number in order to allow its operation. It was immediately pressed into service, soon running 1,000 miles a month, since its last repair at Derby it had only run 45,000 miles. It quickly became a favourite with the operating authorities, particularly for its use on engineering trains, where it was obviouly far superior at handling the tasks formerly carried out by the smaller shunters.
Back on BR 24031, as part of 24026/31/44/76 moved south as an all to common Crewe - Swindon condemned engine movement on October 18th, hauled by 25245.
1977
24030 headed south as 24027/30/37/83 9X29 06.50 Crewe - Banbury - Swindon on March 21st.
For 24032 its one year loan was renewed. During April it was painted in a none to historically accurate two tone green, a livery it never carried - the light green was not correct and the number decals were the wrong size. However in the light of the carnage that was taking place at Swindon and Doncaster, who cared about such minor quibbles.
1978
Late in the year 24032 was taken to Thornaby for tyre turning.
1981
A new agreement saw the loan of 24032 extended for three years, which allowed for some much needed long term improvements to be carried out, a new set of batteries & a boiler from Swindon ex 25056 were obtained in November.
1982
On October 30th 24032 was named 'Helen Turner', the daughter of TJ Thomson's managing director, the locomotive also received a coat ot the traditional Brunswick Green paint.
1986
During 1976 a total of 100,000 miles were clocked up since entering 'preservation'.
1989
The locomotive was stopped to permit extensive bogie repairs, the wheelsets were sent away for new tires, the bogies stripped and attention given to a traction motor.
2001
The mileage total had now reached 135,000. An inquiry received by TJ Thomson's to sell 24032 led to the NYMR obtaining a seven year lease on the locomotive with option to buy at the end of this period. This would allow for major investment into 24032, including much need top end and bodywork repair. After all the locomotive had now spent way longer in active preservation that it had in service on BR.
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Atmosphere oozes from this undated view of D5031 passing through Sutton Park. Presumably this is after 1967 when D5031 was transferred to the Stoke Division. Enjoy the nostalgia. Photograph from collection of Rex Conway. |
