Six years of handling freight traffic in the Midland's ended for 7503 in January 1972 when it was transfered to Laira. It would not remain here long, by October 1972 it had moved north to Cardiff. In this undated view with a freight at Exeter St Davids 7503 has gained its TOPS number - 25153, dating the view sometime after 1974/75.

1971
The high level decision to withdraw the Western Region diesel hydraulic fleet required their replacement by a variety of other locomotive classes. Transferred to Laira between 1971 & 1980 were a total of forty five different Class 25's as part of this purpose - some stayed only very briefly whilst at least two of those locomotives transferred in from the beginning stayed almost until the end.

This major reorganisation which brought the Class 25's to Laira occurred at the end of the summer timetable in October. The first Class 25's to be transferred totalled ten and were 5180, 7573-7575, 7577, 7656, 7657, & 7675-7677, a mixture of boilered and non-boiler equipped locomotives. All were transferred in from LMR depots except for 5180 & 7657 from Cardiff.

The end of July saw the Class 25’s make their first appearances in the West Country, to replace the NBL Class 22’s, similar in nature to the Class 25's introduction to the South Wales area during December 1970. On July 30th 5180 was noted arriving at St Blazey, followed by 5179 on August 19th, bound for Laira. With these machines, and later 5181 and 7657 (September 3rd) crew training commenced. There still remained thirteen Class 22’s 6308/19/22/26/30/33/34/36-39/43/56 with ten diagrams to cover. The St Blazey turns visited St Dennis Junction and the Retew branch, Tavistock Jcn and Boscarne, Goonbarrow Jcn, Drinnick Mill and Lostwithiel and the Truro area. Laira turns went to Keyham and Liskeard, Plymstock and lastly Devonport. The Newton Abbot locomotive visited Heathfield and Stoneycombe. Exeter turns went out to Barnstaple Junction and Torrington, Tiverton Junction, Hemyock and Chard Junction. The last turn ran out to Okehampton. A number of these turns were not daily.

Warship D827 hauled D7676 and D7677 from Bristol Bath Road to Laira, departing at 15.00 on Sunday 3rd October 1971.

On October 5th St Blazey received 7575 & 7676 for taking up further Class 22 duties, unfortunately 7575 was defective and returned to Laira for repair. Its replacement was 5180, these two handling the trips to Dennis Junction, Retew and Goonbarrow Jct.

During the last quarter of 1971 the few Class 25’s present were working alongside the dwindling Class 22’s. There were still not enough Class 25’s available to retire the hydraulics, the Class 25’s were still not cleared for the Drinnick Mill branch and crew training was still continuing. Part of the shortage was due to 7573 spending a month out of service before being moved to Laira for repair and the use of Laira based 7574 at Bristol for crew training. One of the Laira turns involved the 05.55 Keyham – Liskeard and related trips, it then assisted the 22.20 Presflos from Plymouth to Newton Abbott before returning west in the early morning hours with the Severn Tunnel Junction – Plymouth car train.

1972
On January 3rd 5180 had the unfortunate task of removing the last active Class 22’s from the south west. 6336 & 6338 left St Blazey in the early hours, collecting 6333 & 6339 at Exeter for the run to Bristol Marsh Junction. It would not be long before the sight of Class 25’s at Penzance and all the Cornish branches would be a very common sight.

Arriving in January were 7502-7509, these were all ex-Midland machines and were partially used to replace 5180, 7656, 7657, 7676 & 7677, which were transferred out to other Western Region depots, principally Bristol & Cardiff.

With effect from May 1st the information below covers the Exeter/Barnstaple/Newton Abbot area trips under Target 7B70 (LA 92) Monday - Friday. Class 25's were booked for this diagram, though Classes 35 and 42 could also be turned out for these trips.

Exeter / 0B15 02.45 Exeter S.P. - Exeter / 6B15 03.00 Exeter - Barnstaple / SHUNT as required / 4B99 07.20 Barnstaple - Exeter / Exeter S.D. / 8B71 09.20 Exeter Riverside Yard - Exmouth Junction from Exeter to Exeter Central banking Train Engine / 0B58 09.40 Exeter Central - Exeter Riverside Yard / 8B70 10.05 Exeter Riverside Yard - Exmouth Junction banked from Exeter to Exeter Central by DIA. 385 / 0B58 10.40 Exmouth Junction - Exeter / Exeter / 0B70 12.55 Exeter - Exeter Riverside Yard / 8B70 13.15 Exeter Riverside Yard - Hele & Bradnich 'Milk empties' / SHUNT as required / 7B70 14.23 Hele & Bradnich - Tiverton Junction 'Milk empties' / SHUNT as required / 7B70 15.34 Tiverton Junction - Hemyock 'Milk empties and freight' / SHUNT as required / 7B70 16.57 Hemyock - Ulfculme Exeter 'Milk and freight' / SHUNT as required / 7B70 17.38 Ulfculme - Exeter Riverside Yard 'Milk and freight' / 6B70 18.54 Exeter Riverside Yard - Exeter 'Milk' / 0B70 19.05 Exeter - Exeter S.P. / Exeter.

Monday - Friday Exeter / 0B15 02.45 Exeter S.P. - Exeter / 6B15 03.00 Exeter - Barnstaple / SHUNT and TRIPS as required / 6B24 16.35 Torrington - Barnstaple 'Milk' / 6B24 17.20 Barnstaple - Lapford 'Milk' / SHUNT as required / 6B24 19.07 Lapford - Exeter 'Milk' / Exeter.

Saturday only Exeter / 0B22 12.50 Exeter S.P. - Exeter / 6B22 13.05 Exeter - Lapford 'Milk empties' / SHUNT as required / 6B22 14.08 Lapford - Torrington 'Milk empties' / SHUNT as required / 6B24 16.35 Torrington - Lapford 'Milk' / SHUNT as required / 6B24 18.40 Lapford - Exeter 'Milk' / Exeter.

Monday - Friday Exeter / 0B19 04.15 Exeter S.P. - Exeter / 7B19 04.30 Exeter - Lapford 'Milk empties' / 7B19 05.35 Lapford - Kings Nympton / 7B19 06.14 Kings Nympton - Barnstaple / 8B70 08.50 Barnstaple - Torrington / SHUNT and TRIPS as required to MEETH & MARLAND / 6B70 12.20 Torrington - Barnstaple / SHUNT as required / 6B70 15.00 Barnstaple - Torrington / SHUNT as required / 6B24 16.35 Torrington - Barnstaple / SHUNT as required / 7B67 19.10 Barnstaple - Exeter Riverside Yard 'Vans and freight' / SHUNT as required / 7B67 20.50 Exeter Riverside Yard - Exeter 'Vans' / Exeter.

Saturday only Exeter / 0B19 04.15 Exeter S.P. - Exeter Riverside Yard / 7B19 04.30 Exeter Riverside Yard - Lapford 'Milk empties' / 7B19 05.35 Lapford - Kings Nympton 'Milk empties' / 7B19 06.14 Kings Nympton - Barnstaple / SHUNT as required / 7B66 10.40 Barnstaple - Exeter Riverside Yard (Dep. 11.02 SUMMER SATURDAYS ONLY) / 0B66 12.40 Exeter Riverside Yard - Exeter S.P. / Exeter.

Saturday only Exeter / 0B70 13.48 Exeter - Exeter S.P. / 6B70 14.35 Exeter - Tiverton Junction 'Milk empties' / 6B70 15.10 Tiverton Junction - Hemyock 'Milk empties' / SHUNT as required / 6B70 16.45 Hemyock - Tiverton Junction 'Milk' / 6B70 17.38 Tiverton Junction - Exeter 'Milk' / 0B70 18.05 Exeter - Exeter S.P. / Exeter.

From 02/10/72

6B19 19.15 Acton - St. Erth 'Milk empties' / 6B10 07.05 St. Erth - Dolcoath 'Milk empties' /

May 2nd's 6B86 St Blazey - Drinnick Mill freight with 7574 leading and 7505 in the rear became derailed between St Blazey & Par, the locomotives remained on the track.

Following the failure of the dmu on May 15th’s 13.55 Exeter – Barnstaple and 16.10 return 7508 was attached, however the diesel also failed before taking out the 17.40 to Newton Abbot, a fresh dmu being provided.

On June 10th the through Paddington – Barnstaple service was hauled by 7573 & 7647 beyond Exeter. This was at a time of a serious shortage of motive power in the west, a number of Hymeks & Warships having been reinstated to cover the shortages.

During the summer months several Class 25's transferred away, 7675 in May, 7509 in July and 7503, 7504 & 7577 during October. Again these transfers out were to either Bristol or Cardiff.

On August 17th the Barnstaple – Exeter Riverside freight was powered by 7624 and 7038 & 7085, the two Hymeks had been used for bridge testing on the Meeth branch. On September 2nd front line duty befell 7574 & 7575 when they were noted leaving Penzance in charge of the ‘Cornishman’, presumably caused by a shortage of Type 4's. I never had the pleasure of this route behind a pair of Type 2's, with the Type 2's now this far west it was in theory quite possible to travel from Penzance to Wick throughout behind Sulzer powered locomotives, and if good fortune was with you the journey might be made entirely behind Type 2's.

Laira held an Open Day on September 23rd, amongst a variety of exhibits were 163, 7506 & 6544. A notable long distance working for pairs of Class 25’s into the area was the Hope (Earles Sidings) – Exeter Central cement, on 23rd 7501 & 5239 were in charge of this.

Class 31’s were now also passed for workings to Barnstaple, Torrington and Meeth. A revision of the workings in the Penzance area led to better turn round time for locomotives there, a Class 25 was available for duties from 11am to 3pm prior to its return east on the 15.25 to Exeter Riverside freight.

Further refinements included a St Blazey Class 25 working light to Truro for the 04.30 round trip freight to Falmouth, coming back from Truro on the 07.28 to St Blazey. Then it was off to Drump Lane for the 10.05 to Penzance, the Hayle Wharf trip, the Drump Lane shunt, Chacewater cement traffic before ending with the 17.44 Drump Lane – Truro and 19.08 Truro – St Blazey. Nightime working for a pair of Class 25’s included the 20.44 Par – Plymouth Friary, returning at 22.35 to Truro, then light to Par for the 02.45 to St Blazey. The arrival of six Class 46’s at Laira did not bode well for the four remaining Warships, though the newly arriving Peaks were intended for stone train workings.

New arrivals in December were 7624, 7625, 7656 & 7675-7677. These were to replace 7502, 7505, 7507 & 7508 - all these transfers were internal within the Western Region.

1973
A sign of the times found Laira without any Warships on shed, its last – 821 ‘Glory’ headed east on May 24th. Even worse for the hydraulic fleet was the withdrawal of the first Class 52’s, 1019 & 1032 during May, being dumped at Laira.

During 1973 there were no new Class 25 arrivals, but several were transferred away, 7625 in May and 7506 & 7624 in September, again these were transferred away to other Western Region sheds.

Five Class 25s’ were required for local jobs in Cornwall, being needed for trips to Drinnick Mill, Goonbarrow, St Dennis Jct, Boscarne Jct, Falmouth Goods, Penzance pilot (morning only), Hayle Wharf. Drump Lane & Truro were handled by the daily Penzance – St Blazey freight. Liskeard, Burngullow & Carne Point were handled by a Tuesday – Friday diagram. In the Exeter area two Class 25’s worked turns to Torrington & Barnstaple, in the evening they were combined at Exeter to handle a stone working to Westbury, where after refuelling they return to Exeter with a return working.

The 08.00 Bristol – Plymouth passenger on November 22nd was noted west of Exeter behind 5230 (failed?) and 400. Exeter was also host to foreign Class 25’s (& 31’s) arriving with sugar beet from the ER, 7626 was noted on 1st, 25031 (2nd) & 5251 (6th).

1974
Western Region internal transfers in March to Laira were 7588, 7624, 7625. 7588 did not remain long, by May it had been transferred back to Cardiff. Another reallocation in May was 7675, sent away to Cricklewood, the first of Laira's fleet to transfer away from the Western Region.

The afternoon Bristol – Plymouth parcels gained a reputation for unusual combinations of motive power, perhaps the result of a dead head move, on May 2nd it was hauled by 7588 & 1064!

25080 was called upon to rescue 50042 and its train at Taunton on June 15th after the Class 50 became a total failure. Departure was over an hour late, no doubt the climb up Wellington Bank challenged the Class 25, though Exeter had a substitute locomotive on arrival!

Unusual visitors to Exeter on September 5th were 25083 & 25002 on the morning freight from Bescot. Five days later sister machine 25022 failed at Uffculme whilst working the Hemyock milk tanks, 31193 came to rescue from Exeter. The Class 25’s were frequently found on the Tiverton Jct – Acton milk tanks, often in pairs.

Arrivals in October were 25171 & 25172 & 25238, again all internal transfers from Cardiff.

The continuing shortage of power on the WR allowed many strangers to reach deep into WR territory, the 18.00 Riverside – East Usk frequently featuring pairs of Class 25’s, November 6th produced 25276 & 25089, 14th had 25193 & 25073 whilst on November 22nd the 20.40 Bradford – Plymouth parcels arrived behind 25134.

During November two local freights became derailed, on 2nd the 6B59 14.57 Ponsandane - Riverside saw a number of wagons derailed at Totnes, 25219 was the locomotive, whilst on 27th the 7B16 13.35 Bridgwater - Gloucester freight with 25152 in charge saw wagons derailed at Highbridge.

1975
25274 damaged in a collision at St Blazey was towed to Bristol on January 2nd behind 50018, later heading north attached to 46053 & 08668/937.

1975 was a busy year for Laira's Class 25 fleet with considerable turnover of the locomotives, there were still some internal Western Region transfers, additionally other locomotive transfers were of an inter-regional nature. A total of seventeen Class 25's were transferred in, and thirteen were transferred out during 1975.

Departing in May were 25171 & 25172.

25220 stands at Plymouth Laira on May 25th 1975 in very shabby condition. Within a matter of days it will be moved to Derby Works for overhaul, which will include the sheeting over of the gangway doors and a fresh coat of blue paint. During July it will be outshopped and will return to Laira. Photograph courtesy Gordon Coltas.

Departing in June was 25238.

Arrivals in July was 25220.

25094 removed seventeen milk tanks from the Hemyock branch on August 20th, the Unigate Factory having recently converted to road haulage, the only tanks remaining were for emergency use until the branch closed completely on October 31st.

In the early hours of August 28th the Laira breakdown crane was brought to Exmouth by 25098 to assist in the rerailing of dmu 51090 which had run through the buffer stops on the previous afternoon. Also on this date the 7B71 04.45 Riverside - Barnstaple behind 25091 suffered wagon derailment between Lapford & Eggesford. August 30th saw 25220 stationed at Par to provide assistance to the heavy summer trains working over the Newquay branch. Assistance was given to the 08.45 Newquay – Manchester behind 45010, returning with 1063 & twelve coaches prior to both working the 13.22 Newquay – Paddington.

Arrivals in August were 25077, 25091, 25092, 25093, 25094, 25096, 25098. departing were 25274, 25275, 25306, 25326, 25327. The locomotives in the 25091 - 25098 batch were some of the most transferred locomotives on BR at this time, as it was they all would only remain at Laira for three months before heading off to the Scottish Region.

	25093 at Lostwithiel on September 17th 1975 is dwarfed by the rolling Cornish scenery. After its brief three month summer stay at Laira 25093 was transferred to Scotland! Photograph courtesy Tony Sayer.
	A fine view of 25096 at St Erth on September 15th 1975. 25096 was only at Laira from August to October 1975. The six wheel milk tanks featured with 25096 heark back to another time. Photograph courtesy Tony Sayer.

Arrivals in October were 25063, 25169, 25170, 25215-25217, departures were 25091, 25092, 25093, 25094, 25096, 25098

October 4th found 25093 & 25096 in charge of the 09.35 Penzance – Wolverhampton working throughout. With the rundown of the Western's starting to accelerate, the use of a pair of 25's on such a working would have at the time seemed an abomination to a diesel hydraulic enthusiast, but now in hindsight the thought of a pair of Class 25's, and non-boilered ones at that, with a good sized train running through those Cornish valleys, up and down the Devon banks, across Somerset, then up Filton Bank, racing around the Cotswolds before the challenge of Lickey - oh happy memories for those fortunate enough to have ridden those services, the like of which can now never be repeated.

Four duties from St Blazey shed were now handled by Class 25’s. One covered trips to Bodmin Road/Wadebridge then clay trains between Liskeard and Moorswater, with an afternoon run to Hayle Wharf. Two locomotives worked between St Blazey & Drinnick Mill, including trips to Parkandillac, Pontsmill & Goonbarrow and Carbis & Meledor Mill. The fourth covered control trains in the St Blazey area. Also included was a round trip night working to Exeter. On November 21st 25217 was noted between Aller Jct and Newton Abbot hauling/propelling a number of test vehicles.

Arrivals in November were 25168, departing was 25077

A rather grubby 25225 stands in the yard at Barnstaple during a crew change, the locomotive has just returned from duties on the Meeth branch. Photograph courtesy Neil Cannon.

1976
Mainline running was the order of the day on January 24th when 25158 & 25167 rescued failed 47027 on the 13.30 Paddington – Paignton service, all three were replaced at Exeter.

During 1976 the turnover of Class 25's dropped, with four machines departing and four arriving - the departing machines were sent out of the Western Region whilst the new arrivals at Laira were from within the Region.

Departing in January was 25063 & 25168.

A damp and overcast day at Exeter finds 25216 awaiting its next turn of duty. Symbols of the steam era still linger, semaphore signals with finials and a water crane. Is that an Austin Princess and and Austin 1800 in the cars to the left of 25217? Photograph courtesy Peter Wilmott.

Arriving in May was 25052, 25080 & 25227.

In the Exeter area Class 25 diagrams included the afternoon Chard Jct – Exeter milk train, then a local evening Exeter – Newton Abbott passenger, using the stock from a Waterloo service. A pair of Class 25’s also handled the overnight St Blazey – Temple Mills freight as far as Exeter.

Departing in July was 25169.

Its July 1st 1976 and soon to be transferred 25169 is arriving at Exeter with the 07.35 mixed train from Barnstaple. Photograph courtesy J Davenport.

Kingmoor’s 25200 arrived at Exeter on August 13th with the regular freight from Severn Tunnel Jct, the next day it was in use on passenger services over the Barnstaple branch! Also noted passing through Exeter this day was the Nottingham – Paignton behind 25211 & 25029.

At the end of August 24054 & 24142 were pulled from the deadlines at Basford Hall and sent to the WR for further use as carriage heating units. On August 31st they arrived at Exeter as part of a milk train, their eventual destination being Laira.

Looking like its just been pulled from the deadlines at Basford Hall, 24142 sits at Laira on September 19th 1976. Photograph courtesy Tony Sayer.

Arriving in October was 25063.

Departing in October was 25227.

Christmas at Tyne Yard found Laira's 25063 & 25220 a long way from home, laying over after having worked the 3E07 21.40 Bristol - Sunderland parcels of December 23rd.

25217 with its non-standard numbers manouevres around Exeter signing on point sometime during 1976. The wasteground behind the locomotive seems to be a storage point for the local Austin Morris car dealer. Photograph courtesy Peter Wilmott.

1977
On May 9th a reshuffle of the WR carriage heating units took place, with unit TDB968008 (24054) moved from Penzance to Plymouth, whilst TDB968009 (24142) moved from Plymouth to Worcester.

The WR witnessed a number of double headed Class 25’s during the summer season. On July 16th the 08.50 Birmingham - Paignton used 25159 & 25101, also returning with the ecs. A Plymouth - Old Oak Common parcels ran with 25225 & 50029. July 23rd brought 25284 & 25250 on the 12.20 Birmingham - Newquay as far as Plymouth. July 30th found two services behind double headed Type 2’s, the 09.47 Nottingham - Paignton used 25187 & 25269 whilst the 12.20 Birmingham - Newquay had 25264 & 25210.

The local Round Table in the Barnstaple area ran a special on August 29th from Barnstaple to Meeth. The ten coaches were ‘top & tailed’ by 25223 & 25052! A Plymouth - Milan Polybulk train of Sept 2nd headed by 47510 and a Class 25 required the assistance of the fire brigade near Totnes after the Type 4 caught fire. The train eventually went forward behind the Class 25 and a Peak, with 47510 dumped at Newton Abbot awaiting removal to Crewe Works. The next day 25129 headed the 09.20 Paignton - Nottingham arriving at Birmingham some ninety minutes late, being replaced here by 46046.

The West Country hosted a number of enthusiast specials during the early part of October. 40081/84 worked a special from Paddington to Yeovil, replaced here by 25052 & 25223 for the run to Paignton for the Kingswear branch.

Transfers during 1977 were few, during October 25063 moved to Crewe, followed by 25220 in November.

The details of this view are not known, but 25052 & 25223 were paired together several times on railtour duty. Perhaps this is one of the 1977 tours they handled. Photograph courtesy Ian Mawson.

1978
Transfers during 1978 led to a net loss of one locomotive to Laira's Class 25 fleet. All the transfers, in & out, were inter-regional.

Arriving in March was 25206 & 25207.

Departing in March was 25216 & 25217.

25215 was allocated to Laira from October 1975 to May 1978. It is seen here on the headshunt at Laira, date unknown. Photograph courtesy Ian Mawson.

During April more Class 25 turns at St Blazey were turned over to other types, with Class 37/46/50 frequently replacing the Type 2’s. 37142 & 37267 were crew training on the St Blazey - Newquay line, whilst a former Class 25 turn, the shunting at Hayle Wharf was now in the hands of a Penzance Class 08.

Arriving in May was 25048, 25057 & 25058.

Departing in May was 25080, 25170, 25215 & 25224.

July 22nd found Newton Abbott host to 25276 & 25282 bringing up an ecs working from Paignton, previously used on an ex Birmingham working.

A surprising visitor on the 15.55 Bristol - Plymouth parcels on September 7th was Haymarket based 25011, which worked as far as Exeter, replaced here by 25155. However it continued its westward march by working the 19.30 Exeter - Paignton!.

September 23rd found 25245 & 25275 working a Birmingham New Street - Paignton relief .

25052 pauses at Honiton with the returning milk wagons from Chard Jct, a heavy downpour has just ended, the Class 25 waits for an up train to pass. Photograph courtesy Neil Cannon.

The year closed out with bad weather in the Midlands and North East. Walsall station, as usual, was flooded after torrential rain on December 29th. Heavy snow over the New Year plagued services with delays and faulty equipment made life even more difficult to maintain the timetable. In the West Country Exeter proved to be a graveyard for frozen up locomotives, with temperatures reaching down to –13C most things simply froze up. The 00.05 Paddington – Penzance was reported sixteen hours late at Plymouth, 50046 had left Paddington 150 minutes late continuing to loose time throughout the journey, before expiring completely at Brent, with 47106 coming to the rescue. The train was cancelled at Plymouth with Penzance passengers connecting with the 10.30 from Paddington, arriving at Penzance some eighteen hours late! At Exeter the local services were cancelled with the dmu’s frozen solid. The diesels fared little better with eighteen frozen up locomotives including 25052, 25206/225/263, the only serviceable machine being 46020, which had been equipped with steam lances for the freeing of pointwork and rodding.

1979
There were no reallocations to the Laira Class 25 fleet during 1979.

January 30th found 25048 providing heat for the 18.05 Plymouth – Cardiff, with 50008 as the train engine, both were removed at Exeter by 45049.

On April 23rd the 7B19 17.05 Truro - St Blazey freight behind 25225 & 25207 became derailed between Truro & Burngullow, the locomotives remained on the track. The next day 25048 came to the rescue of 50045 after it failed on the 12.00 Plymouth – Paddington at Exeter, the Class 25 going as far as Westbury.

	25052 heads a line up of Class 25's by the turntable at St Blazey during June 1979. Photograph courtesy Andy Hoare.
	Another view of the line up headed by 25052 in the yard at St Blazey. And like their diesel hydraulic predecessors the paintwork in these machines is not holding up too well. Hidden behind the Class 25 on the right is a Class 37. Photograph courtesy Andy Hoare.

June 30th found the 10.20 Paignton – Manchester at Exeter behind 31165 & 25048, both replaced here in favor of 47030.

After many years of work in and about the East Midlands the transfer of 25155 to the West Country brought a whole new set of workings. Of trips to the furthest south-west station in the country, local passenger workings along the scenic coastline of Devon & Cornwall and dealing with the Devon banks on china clay workings. Its the summer of 1979 at St Austell and 25155 needs a touch-up to the cab front paint job. Photograph courtesy Andy Hoare.

On October 2nd 25135 worked a special Bristol – Plymouth to cover a late running service from the North West.

	Dual braked, boiler equipped 25048 and an unidentified Class 31 approaches Paignton, date unknown. 25048 was allocated to Laira during May 1978 and with 25057 was the last to leave, during November 1980. So presumably this picture is within that timeframe. Photographer not known at this time.
	A very familiar scene near Dawlish on September 13th 1979 finds 25057 in charge of the 11.08 Paignton - Exeter service. Photograph courtesy J Davenport.
	25052 at the east end of Exeter St Davids, September 14th 1979. 25052 has one more year left in service, it will be withdrawn from Laira and go directly to Swindon for breaking up. Photograph courtesy J Davenport.
	Although the photograph is not dated 25206 was outshopped from Derby Works after a general repair in May 1979 - with the paint still shiny this is perhaps seen here at Exeter during the summer of 1979. Photograph courtesy Ian Mawson.

1980
Unusual duty befell 25225 & 25080 on April 12th, taking over at Exeter from 31304 & 31163 on a Paddington – Meeth special, the Torrington – Meeth section top and tailed due to lack of run round facilities at Meeth. The special also covered the line to Meldon.

	A gloriously sunny April 12th at Meeth greets 25080 with 25225 on the rear of the railtour. Photograph courtesy Neil Cannon.
	An overcast May 31st 1980 finds 25058 accelerating away from Teignmouth with an Exeter bound service. This will be the last summer in the West Country for 25058. Photograph courtesy Dave Homer.

At the end of the summer timetable severe inroads were made to Laira's Class 25 allocation. During October 25058, 25206 & 25207 were transferred away whilst 25052, 25223 & 25225 were withdrawn. Laira kept one Class 25 for the St Blazey – Truro – Penzance trip working, by November 3rd this too had been taken over by a Class 37.

On October 5th a charter from Alfreton reached Exeter behind 45061 with 25223 & 25080 taking the train forward to Barnstaple.

During November the last two Class 25's were transferred out - 25048 to Bescot and 25057 to Longsight, bringing to a close a nine year stint for the Laira allocated Class 25's in sunny Devon & Cornwall.

Although the Class 25's were no longer allocated to Laira they would still be frequent visitors to the area.

Page added August 1st 2005
Page updated January 20th 2008

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