1959
D5053 was one of a large batch delivered to March (31B), being outshopped from Crewe during early December.

Almost brand new D5053 poses for the photographer, date & location unknown. This locomotive has the slightly smaller fuel tank (the end section does not reach frame level). Photograph courtesy Rex Conway collection.

1961
D5053 was transferred to Finsbury Park (34G) in January.

1962
D5053 was noted at Stratford Works during April & July.

1964
A visit to Doncaster Works was made by D5053 in October.

1965
A Works repair was made at Derby in July & August, it was at this time that D5053 gained its two-tone green livery

1966
During October Eastfield (65A) became the new home of D5050 - D5056.

1968
In March D5053 moved briefly to Carlisle (12A) before moving on to Longsight (9A) in April with D5052 - D5056. From June Longsight became part of the Manchester Division (D09). It then movedto the Stoke Division (D05) in September.

On Good Friday (12th) things were truly interesting, the ScR operating a weekday service, the LMR a Sunday service! On the eastern side of the country the Easter holidays brought many extras, D5053 (new to the Longsight workings) worked a round trip Manchester – Newcastle passenger on 11th,

Its March 30th 1970 and 5053 still carries its two-tone green livery, seen here at Crewe. It still carries the 'D' prefix and retains all the frame level valencing. Photograph courtesy Tony Sayer.

1973
With the abandonment of the LMR Division allocations 5053 was now allocated to Crewe effective May.

5053 was noted at Derby Works during in August.

1975
On May 11th 24053 was used to start the journey of LMS 4-6-2 6203 Princess Margaret Rose from Butlins Holiday Camp, Pwllheli to Derby (?) Works for some much needed attention. The view below shows the move being made with 24053 in charge.

Photograph courtesy Pat Webb.

1976
During January 1976 24053 was withdrawn, it did not linger long at Crewe Basford Hall for on February 12th it began its last journey, to Swindon with 24075, 24143/145 as the 06.45 9X22 Crewe – Swindon.

Neither did it linger long once it had arrived at Swindon for by May 1976 it was no more.

Other Class 24's to carry the two-tone green livery

During the spring & summer of 1965 Derby Works was, as usual busy with scheduled repairs to a variety of diesel locomotive classes including the Class 24's. At the same time Derby was well into its production run of Class 25's, turning out about thirty Class 25's during this same period.

According to my incomplete records Class 24's receiving Classified repairs at Derby at this time included 5006, 5027, 5037, 5038, 5039, 5040, 5053, 5073 & 5089. In the course of completing their repairs a number of these locomotives were repainted in the two tone green livery then being applied to the Class 25's & 47's.

5005 was scheduled for repair at Derby during the spring of 1965 but my records show it was not recorded at Derby until October 1965 (or possibly September, I have no records for Derby Works in September 1965). This dates seems a little late for its repaint into two tone green when compared to other known examples. It is believed that only Derby repainted the Class 24's into two tone green livery, but a question mark surrounds 5072. It was noted at Derby Works and Doncaster Works during August 1965, possibly at the latter for rectification of faults after outshopping from Derby in two-tone green.

	Derby Works, ex-works D5005 during 1965. A fine view of the locomotive by the Test House, not long out of the paintshop. The boiler room grille has been replaced by a solid blanking plate, the headboard brackets reveal its brief service on the SR and the steam style shed plate is yellow with white trim. An interesting variant, but authentic as revealed on D5005. Photographer not known
	Crewe Works Open Day September 17th 1971. Photographer not known
	Crewe Works Open Day September 17th 1971. Photograph courtesy Rex Conway Collection
	A marvellous view of D5040 & D5044 at Preston on August 3rd 1968, a day of infamy for steam enthusiasts. Of interest is that both locomotives have retained their roof mounted boiler water filler covers. The working is unrecorded, possibly an empty coaching stock movement. Photograph courtesy Geoff Coward

Other views of the two-tone green Class 24's

D5072 - Diesel Days - Scotland, page 5 by BJ Dickson, Ian Allan 2005.

Page added June 10th 2006
Last updated June 5th 2009

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