For a larger view (173k) please click anywhere on the image - enjoy the detail! (Photographer not known at this time).
An early photograph of D5044, date unknown, but presumably at Stratford judging by the types of locomotives surrounding it. The locomotive appears to be in 'as delivered' condition from Crewe, it has gained the yellow warning panel and a steam style shed plate attached to the cab front. Surprisingly the roof mounted boiler water tank filler cover is still in place - these were generally quickly discarded after the locomotives had been in service a short while.
1959
This group of three locomotives were part of a large order built at Crewe Works for delivery to depots in East Anglia. The frames were laid down at Crewe during the summer of 1959, all were delivered in October to Ipswich (32B), but were quickly transferred to March (31B) during November. Their duties included both passenger and freight workings, principally in East Anglia, but frequently requiring visits to London on a variety of workings.
A design change was instituted from D5044 - the OK4616B steam heating boiler installed in D5000 - D5043 was replaced by the model L4610 capable of a steam rate of 1,000lb/hr. This boiler would become the standard for all further Class 24/25 orders The water tanks were reduced to 450 gallons giving a loco weight of 77 tons.
1960
During June all were transferred back to Ipswich (32B). D5043 was transferred to March (31B) during December.
The SR borrowed D5044 & 5070 from Stratford during November due to a shortage of boiler equipped locomotives, the loan for D5044 was brief, it returned to Ipswich (32B) during December. It is uncertain as to what use was made of these locomotives on the SR - possibly they might have been filling in for non-availability of the LMR Class 24's currently on long term loan to Hither Green.
1961
D5043 was noted at Stratford Works during November. Stratford was responsible for the heavier maintenance to these East Anglian based Class 24's, including responsibilty for a number of minor modifications during their early days.
1962
D5043 was noted back at Stratford Works during February.
1963
During the last week of January there were a number of Type 2 substitutions for the GE line Type 4’s affected by the severe weather. So noted during this period amongst others was D5044 on the 12.40 Harwich - Rugby and D5018 on the 5.15 Colchester - Glasgow, both diesels being replaced at Peterborough.
D5043 was noted under repair at Doncaster Works during February & March, possibly a victim of the severe weather.
1965
D5044 was noted at Derby Works during November. The use of Stratford as a heavy repair centre for the Class 24's had greatly diminished, with Doncaster and Derby taking over the overhauls, though Doncaster would eventually hand over its Class 24 repairs to Derby or Crewe.
1966
D5042 was noted at Derby Works during February.
1967
As part of the plan to remove steam from the North West a large group of Class 24's were transferred to the Stoke Division (D05). These transfers included the Class 24's from the southern end of the WCML and all the Class 24's remaining in East Anglia. This included 5042/43/44, this would be their last reallocation, and from now on all would be familiar sights in the Crewe area. Their duties would include the WCML between Rugby & Preston, the North Wales main line and its branches, the Cambrian lines to Aberystwyth & Pwhelli and the miriad of lines in the Liverpool and Manchester areas. Although primarily to be used on freight workings they would from time to time be used on passenger services, particularly on summer excursions and extras. All heavy repairs would now generally be handled by Derby Works.
1968
During April 5044 was noted at Derby Works, it was also seen at Crewe Works in June.
1969
5044 visited Derby Works during March.
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 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
During February the damaged Class 24’s at Chester depot - 5043/93, 5138/39 were moved to sidings near the station, here they were stripped for spares, including the power units. Parked with them were retired Class 12 shunters 12036/37/48. These Class 24's were all later sold to Cashmores, Great Bridge, eventually towed there and scrapped in their yard during 1970.
Services over the North Wales mainline were severed on May 24th when a fire seriously damaged the Menai Bridge. Trapped west of the bridge were seventy two coaches and thirteen diesels including 5034/44/83. A local service was instituted between Holyhead and the specially re-opened Llanfair P G station using dmu’s 50404 & 56167. Two Type 2's - 5034 & 5083 were to be kept on the island, their boilers were made serviceable or fitted with recently overhauled ones. 5044 and all the Type 4 diesels were later evacuated to the mainland by sea, giving 5044 the unique honour of being the only Class 24 to make an ocean voyage, albeit the short hop from Holyhead to Barrow.
1973
A rear-end collision at Kidsgrove on April 27th involved four Class 24’s and led to the death of one railwayman. 5032 & 5145 were in charge of the 1K00 03.55 Crewe - Stoke on Trent newspaper train which had stopped as scheduled at Kidsgrove. It was run into by the 8K52 02.20 Ordsall Lane - Cresswell goods train hauled by 5049 & 5042, this train was under the control of the second man, it was his life lost in the collision when the No2 end cab was crushed back to the bulkhead, which itself was bent backwards into the boiler compartment. The rear vehicle of the newspaper train sustained only minor damage, it also came into contact with the overhead electrified wire. Responsibility for the accident lay mostly with the driver of the goods train who had isolated the AWS equipment, it is believed both crew may have temporarily nodded off on the approach to Kidsgrove.
24042 was noted at Derby Works during August & November.
1974
24044 received its last overhaul at Derby during March & April, this recent overhaul would allow it to operate beyond the summer of 1975, a time when many would be stored/withdrawn.
1975
Photograph courtesy Stephen Dowle
On February 21st 24044 & 24057, the latter still in green livery, arrived at Bristol with a freight from Holyhead. The picture above shows the pair dropping down onto Bath Road Depot. This location was no stranger to the Class 25's, however the Class 24's were very infrequent visitors here, especially in the twilight of their careers. 24057 is still in green livery, surprisingly it visited Derby Works shortly afterwards for overhaul, gaining blue livery and one of the last Class 24's to receive a heavy repair at Derby.
The summer of 1975 found major inroads being made in the active Class 24 fleet. Included in these changes was the storage of 24042 during July and its eventual retirement in August. It was one of four retired Class 24's (24042/45/48/50) lying at Derby Works. They may have remained here to allow removal of asbestos, Derby would however not break them up. For that purpose they were moved to Swindon on December 18th.
1976
Although the withdrawn Class 24's had started to migrate to Swindon and Doncaster Works for scrapping, it was not until February that the first were scrapped, 24042 at Swindon and 24012 at Doncaster.
24044 just made it into the New Year before being withdrawn during January and stored, like many others at Crewe. On October 18th 25245 hauled 24026/31/44/76 from Crewe to Swindon Works. By the end of January 1977 24044 was no more.
 | Its September 25th 1975 and Leamington Spa is host to two Class 24's with 24044 nearest the camera. Although it had missed the major purge in the summer of 1975 it would be retired in January 1976.
Photograph courtesy Tony Sayer |
 | On October 18th 1976 four Class 24's including 24044 were received at Swindon for scrapping. They are seen here at the back of the works, with 24076 in the foreground and 24044 behind. By January 1977 the cutters at Swindon had done their job and 24044 was no more. |
