5220, 5217 & 1939 stand in Cricklewood shed on July 12, 1969. The locomotive displays the standard two rows of four filters on the left side, whilst the boiler room grille is now a solid blanking plate. The nose end doors have yet to be sheeted over, but the cab end has received the full yellow paint treatment.

1963
D5220 - D5222 were constructed at Derby during the summer of 1963, being delivered to Cricklewood (14A) during September and becoming part of the large fleet of diesel locomotives & multiple units being used to replace steam northwards from St Pancras. These were the last of the first batch of Class 25's (D5186 - 5222) to be constructed at Derby, the following ten machines (D5223 - 5232) which had been part of that same Derby order were transferred to Darlington whilst Derby tackled the redesign issues as later revealed in D5233. After D5222 Derby built ten more Type 2's (D7568 - 7577) in the older style prior to the change to that reflected in D5233.

D5220 made its test run to Corby on August 22nd 1963, it would make a second test run on August 27th, now joined to D5221, on September 4th 1963 D5222 went out on its test run. At this time Derby were also sending out the Clayton's on the Corby test runs, on August 21st D8527 & D8536 were tested whilst on August 30th D8543 & D8544 made their run to Corby.

D5222 was one of those locomotives on display at the annual Open Day at Derby Works at the end of August.

1964
D5220 was noted under repair at Derby Works during May, whilst D5221 paid a visit in September.

Passengers on a Derby - St Pancras relief on Christmas Eve had the delights of D5206 & 5220.

1965
On January 28th D5220 ventured over the Scottish border and was later 'borrowed' to work the 11.30 Wemyss Bay - Glasgow.

During November D5222 was transferred to the Leicester Division.

1966
Crewe Works began to recieve Type 2’s for heavy repair, so noted in the last week of April were D5196, 5221/29/31/65, 7581/91, whilst D5220 & D5222 arrived for attention in May. This was no doubt possible due to the availability of resources created by the diminishing steam repairs and the winding down of the Brush Type 4 construction.

1967
During January D5222 returned to Cricklewood (14A) whilst D5220 was at Derby for repair in May.

Photograph courtesy Grahame Wareham.5222 stands at Cricklewood during April 1969.

Its April 1969 and 5220 sports full yellow ends, a faded stripe and green livery, seen here at Lea Bridge. Photograph courtesy Grahame Wareham.

1970
March 7th saw another of the Luton Town football specials receive Class 25 haulage with 5217 & 5220 taking twelve coaches to Rochdale, though their performance at heating the train was inadequate. No other power could be found so they remained with the diagram. Several days later Gatwick Airport was host to two specials from Leicester on March 11th & 12th, hauled respectively by 5219 & 5222 and 5216 & 5222, the empty coaching stock being collected from Etches Park.

1971
5221 visited Derby Works during February.

1972
Because of the proximity of Wolverton Works, where the Royal Train was kept when not in use, the boiler equipped Class 25's at Willesden and Cricklewood were favourites for handling the Royal Train workings, either in the forwarding moves or when members of the Royal Family were actually on board. On July 14th the Duke of Edinburgh visited Telford, 5221 & 5218 were noted returning the empty stock from Donnington to Wolverton. And on November 16th 5221 & 5222 conveyed a five coach Royal Train with Princess Anne aboard from Euston to Hope. The train returned ecs to Wolverton via the Midland to Market Harborough.

1973
5222 was noted at Derby Works during March.

Royal Train duty befell 5218 & 5219 on February 14-16th. The Duke of Edinburgh journeyed from Euston, at 23.00 to Sheffield via Northampton & Leicester. Twenty four hours later he returned to Lamport, near Market Harborough, with the five coach train stabling overnight, before leaving at 7am for Leatherhead via the West London line, Clapham Jcn, Selhurst, West Croydon & Sutton. On return the Class 25’s ran through to Dorking, there running round and heading back to Wolverton via Sutton, Mitcham Jct & Clapham Jct. Overnight heating was provided by a heater van delivered by 5221.

1974
During April 5222 was back at Derby for repairs.

Passengers on a Marylebone –York excursion on April 25th enjoyed the delights of being routed via Penistone and Huddersfield, the locomotives for the day were 25072 & 25036.

On May 11th a Luton - Aberystwyth Merrymaker utilised 25070 & 25072 from Luton to Shrewsbury via the Nuneaton Flyover, Bescot and Wolverhampton. At Shrewsbury the Class 25's were replaced by 24074 & 24056, with the Merrymaker now doubling as the 11.40 all stations to Aberystwyth, with four coaches on the train reserved for the regular passengers. The return working is reported as 24056 hauling four coaches to Dovey Junction where a set back was made onto nine coaches, stock from a return Leamington - Barmouth special. 24082 & 24087 were added to the train, at least as far as Machynlleth where 24087 was removed, leaving the two Type 2's to carry one eastwards with thirteen coaches.

5222 was transferred to Willesden during August whilst receiving collision repairs at Derby.

1975
25070 was transferred to Willesden during January. During August 25068 - 25072 were transferred to Cricklewood. On November 18th the arrival of the President of Tanzania at Gatwick saw the Royal Train in use to Victoria, afterwards 25072 arrived at Stewarts Lane to return the stock to Wolverton.

1976
25071 was at Derby Works during February and March.

A fine view of 25070 & 25039 as they head away from Shrewsbury with an Ealing - Barmouth excursion (1Z58) on April 3rd 1976. 25070 is due for shopping and would emerge from Derby Works with the gangway doors sheeted over. Photograph collection Ian Hammond.

After 25070 spending a year allocated to Willesden a move north took place in January to Bescot. From May to July 25070 returned to Derby Works for repair. An engineer's special hauled by 25068 & 25072 ran on June 3rd from Walsall to Willesden via Tyseley & Banbury, included in the formation was a track recording coach.

New Year's Eve found the 1G33 8.04 Perth - Edinburgh dmu on fire at Bathgate Jct. 25072 was used to shunt the damaged vehicles into the up loop, then took the lead coach onto Edinburgh, just over one hundred minutes late. The fire completely gutted Dundee based SC51540, withdrawal coming in January. 25072 had also been noted on the 11.22 Dundee - Edinburgh and 13.20 return, usually a dmu working, but now operating with a rake of Mk 1 coaches, normally hauled by a Class 25 or 26.

On New Year's Eve 1976 SC51540 caught fire working a Perth - Edinburgh service. By the time the train was brought to a halt at Bathgate Jct SC51540 was well alight. 25072 was used to shunt the vehicles into the loop, eventually taking the undamaged car on to Edinburgh. In this view SC51540 waits at Millerhill June 26 1977 for its demise.

1977
A major repair for 25072 was carried out at Glasgow Works from April to June.

Somewhat away from its regular haunts was 25071 on July 6th, working a Chipman’s weedkilling train from Watford to Horsham via Three Bridges.

25072 stands at Eastfield depot, September 3rd 1977. The locomotive spent April through June 1977 undergoing repair at Glasgow Works. The paint job still shows some of its newness.

Just outshopped from Glasgow Works 25072 stands next to a Class 27 at Eastfield on June 26th 1977.

1978
On May 4th 25070 had the unusual occurrence of being hit by lightning at Greenbank (Cheshire). The crew and the locomotive suffered no ill effects, but when the electrical charge passed to the rails much damage was done to nearby lineside equipment & transformers.

On May 6th the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden Park featured Glasgow Rangers & Aberdeen, with five specials scheduled. The 09.30am left behind 25072 & 25087, the 10.00 had 25227 & 25033 whilst the other three featured 40167, 40063 & 40159.

The 17.10 Manchester - Blackpool, normally a Class 40 turn in summer was hauled by 25070 (July 31st) and 25100 (August 14th).

1979
The morning of February 10th found Aylesbury overflowing with Class 25’s, four awaiting engineering work and 25074 & 25071 on the ‘Nottinghamshire Collier’ special.

Since June Dee Marsh sidings had been accumulating Class 502 stock, (replaced by the new Class 507's), on July 22nd 25070 worked nine of these condemned vehicles to Crewe Basford Hall.

25071 stands outside the old steam shed at Northwich on November 10th 1979.

1980
The early morning 05.43 Grange – Shotwick freight on January 7th, in charge of 24081 got into trouble at Greenbank, with a main generator fault disabling the locomotive. Rescue came in the shape of 25071 as far as Oakleigh, where 25215 took the train forward with 25071 taking the errant Class 24 to Crewe.

January found 25072 at Glasgow Works for an N4 repair, at the same time it was transferred to Haymarket.

A doubled headed Type 2 working featured the (Fridays only) 17.25 Glasgow Central - Stranraer and the next days 09.43 SO Blackpool - Stranraer, from Ayr. On July 11/12th 27012 & 25076 were noted, 25238 & 26032 on 18/19th, though 25238 was replaced by 25109 on the Ayr run, 25235 & 25079 on 25/26th, 25246 hauled the first leg on August 1st, 47353 did the second leg! 25246 was also noted on the 17.43 Glasgow - Ayr and 19.22 return on August 5/6th, 25072 worked this turn on August 13th and came back on the 15th with the 17.25 Glasgow Central - Stranraer.

July 4th 1980 finds 25071 at Peterborough. Photograph courtesy J Davenport.

An unusual duty for 25070 on October 15th was to take the Springs Branch breakdown train to Millgate near Manchester Victoria. Here an empty four car Bury Line emu overran a siding leaving the leading vehicle overhanging a city street, into which had fallen the leading bogie.

After a service life of seventeen years 25070 was withdrawn during November, retired from Springs Branch depot, though storage would occur at Crewe.

1981
On March 3rd after five months storage at Crewe 25070 was attached to 25166, 25263/293 and dragged to Swindon Works for breaking up.

On May 4th the Vale of Rheidol held an open house at Aberystwyth, all three steam locomotives being in steam. 25042 & 25220 arrived on a special from Longbridge and 25071 & 25080 from Manchester.

The 15.57 Aberdeen - Carstairs postal used 25072 on May 18th, there appeared to be no consistency for this train's haulage, with Classes 26 & 40 frequently being used.

25071 was withdrawn during from Cricklewood on June 21st.

June 27th 1981 finds 25072 hiding in the shrubbery at Glasgow Works.

1982
Withdrawn 25071 reached Swindon during January.

25072 paid another visit to Derby during February, this again for an N4 repair. Eastfield became 25072's new home during March, though from the following reports it appears everywhere but there. It was used on May 2nd to work a scheduled Birmingham - Norwich service, whilst on 8th it handled a Five Ways - Chester church special with 25138. Several days were also spent in the South Wales area at the end of May. On July 31st Tinsley provided 25072 for the 8.57 Sheffield - Llandudno, the Type 2 being replaced at Huddersfield. By October 25072 had been transferred to Crewe.

Photograph courtesy Tony Sayer
25072 rests at Northwich shed on August 11th 1984.

1983
During 1983 Swindon finally disposed of 25071 during January and 25070 during May.

Heading westbound at Helsby July 5th 1983 25072 leads five empty container flats & one brake van.

1984
On May 13th 25072's first passenger working of the year occurred, jointly with 25207 it assisted a WCML working over the de-energised Northampton - Coventry section. The 16.20 Glasgow - Liverpool continued to use Class 25's for the journey south of Preston. Noted were 25072 (Aug 24th), 25229 (Aug 31st), 25210 (Sept 6th), 25190 (Sept 7th), 40009 (Sept 12th) and remarkably 20212 & 20219 (Sept 14th). On September 19th 25072 worked a Derby - Craigentinny ecs throughout, returning south light engine. When October 19th's 16.35 Carlisle - Hull expired at Garsdale behind 31432 it was left to 25072 to take the train as far as Leeds.

1985
25072's first day of passenger working in 1985 proved too much for the locomotive, after succesfully covering a Blackpool - Preston working, it expired at Euxton Jct on January 21st whilst taking forward an ex-Glasgow service from Preston on to Liverpool. 47016 was procured to get the train to its destination. The failure of a Class 47 at Perth on a Glasgow - Aberdeen service on April 4th led to 25064 & 25072 working the train through to Aberdeen. Late in June 25072 ended up on the Glasgow - Carlisle circuit. A southbound trip was was on 26th, the next day 25072 was being used by Gateshead depot for the local Coxlodge working. However by the morning of 28th 25072 was back at Glasgow, set up to work a round trip to Carlisle (the 7.40 southbound, 12.40 northbound).

Stanlow oil terminal on November 23rd provided a veritable feast of Class 25's with 25190 & 25192 and 25279 & 25325 on workings from Leeds and 25035 & 25072 from Dalston.

Kingmoor have captured 25072 for use on the passenger workings over the GSW route to Glasgow. Seen here at Carlisle on July 29 1985 its coaching stock has just been released to allow it to prepare for its next leg north. This was the last summer in service for 25072, by December withdrawal had come, ending its days at Leicester. Photograph courtesy Richard Howatt.

25072 was taken out of service on December 5th, being turned off and stored at Leicester depot.

1986
On January 27th 25072 was moved from Leicester to Toton, to become Toton's training locomotive.

	25072 at Toton with 45046 on March 15th 1986. Photograph courtesy Jerry Glover.
	25072 inside the depot at Toton on October 11th 1986. Photograph collection Ian Hammond.

1987
On December 2nd 25072 was moved from Toton to Leicester, presumably for forwarding to Vic Berry's yard. However during January 1988 25072 was acquired for preservation.

Into Preservation

	In a manouevre probably undreamed of when 25072 was brand new, almost forty years earlier, today locomotives and other large pieces of rolling stock now routinely move about the country on low loaders. 25072 is seen in just such a move between preservation sites during 2002. Photograph courtesy Fraser Thornton.
	A close up of the side panels reveal that the preservation of forty year old locomotives in the damp English climate is an ongoing challenge, especially when the locomotives are stored outdoors and run up infrequently. The view also clearly shows the hinged ventilators, unique to the dual braked examples from the 25026 - 25082, 25218 - 25247 series. Photograph courtesy Fraser Thornton.

Undated views

	25070, date & location unknown. Photograph courtesy Ian Mawson.
	25071, date & location unknown. Photograph courtesy Ian Mawson.
	A wonderful night time view of 25072 & 27003 at Aberdeen. Photograph courtesy S Pierce via 'abpr' - I hope you don't mind me borrowing this view.

Page created January 4th 2004
Page updated November 22nd 2007.

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