kevin hughes phots class 24 and 25's

A selection of views from the late Kevin Hughes collection

From the collection of the late Kevin Hughes, a railway chaplain from the Carnforth area comes these views from various parts of the country. Kevin's collection of photographs is now in the hands of the RCTS Archivist, who has graciously made these views available. In looking over the photographs that Kevin took it came as a surprise to find that we had been part of the same tours & trips around various railway installations! It was also a little disquieting to realise that Kevin is no longer with us, though fortunately his photographic collection did not end up in the local rubbish tip, as has happened so frequently to so many memories. It's true that our 'snapshots' can be mirrored by many thousands of others but they do provide an historical record of four decades of our industrial past.
For instance I cannot recall any published views of the Class 24's at Inverurie Workshops, similarly views of the two Thornaby Class 25's carrying the experimental flourescent warning panels. I'm sure they must be out there somewhere, and if they do surface I'd be more than happy to include them in these web pages.

Our opening view is at Weaver Jct on July 10th, 1975 with 24024 in charge of a long rake of permanent way wagons. This was the infamous summer of '75 when great chunks of the Class 24 fleet went in to storage, including 24024, then only days away from withdrawal. Most were stored around Crewe, however 24024 along with five others still allocated to the Manchester Division ended up at Reddish. Here 24024 remained until February 1977, when along with three others, a final trip was made to Swindon. By April the cutters had done their job, with the remains unceremoniously dumped into scrap wagons for reprocessing.

Unless otherwise stated all photographs on this page are the copyright of the late Kevin Hughes.

Early in 1969 several of the first batch of Class 24's were stored or withdrawn. 5001 is seen here, withdrawn, at Crewe on February 21 1969. Later in the year changing circumstances saw 5001 visit Derby Works for an overhaul, allowing a further six years service at Leeds Holbeck, Polmadie, Eastfield & Longsight before being swept away in the great purge of the summer of '75.

D5109 is having an adventure on the WCML, seen here at Oxenholme on July 13th 1968. This is one of the Gateshead allocated Type 2's dedicated to the Consett - Tyne Dock iron ore workings, specially equipped with an additional air compressor to operate the wagon doors. Also visible is the extra hose above the bufferbeam. These machines also lacked a train heating boiler, easily identifiable by the space left by the missing water tank between the bogies.

5124 stands at Polmadie July 25th 1968. This locomotive spent its entire sixteen year career allocated to Scottish depots, prinicipally Inverness (60A). The great purge of 1975 missed 24124, it soldiered on for another year, finally being retired in July 1976. Remarkably it was not Doncaster but Swindon that would break up this machine (and three sisters) during May 1977

Scheduled triple heading of trains on BR was rare, the Scottish Region having perhaps the only regular triple headed passenger service. In this view at Perth 5129 is detached from a service that has just arrived from Inverness, the two remaining Class 24's will go forward to either Edinburgh or Glasgow.

5149 eases past Helwith signal box on a very wintry March 12, 1969. The locomotive was at this time allocated to Leeds Holbeck (55A), so trips over the Settle & Carlisle would be nothing unusual. The final four Class 24's had been delivered from Derby to Gateshead early in 1961. All four moved to Leeds in the summer of 1968, then all went on to Eastfield in October 1971.

5149 again, this time at Horton-in-Ribblesdale, involved in a shunting operation. The sidings here served the large quarry near Horton. The signal box closed on May 1st 1984. After transfer to Eastfield 5149 remained in service for one year, before catching fire on a train bound for Killoch colliery. Quickly moved to Glasgow Works the locomotive was broken up during April 1973, never receiving its TOPS number.

D5165 stands ex-works at Thornaby shed on April 28, 1968. 25015 would receive its last overhaul at Derby Works in the summer of 1971, at which time a cab roof from a Class 25/1 was fitted. Withdrawal came in December 1975, after having sustained minor collision damage. After a brief sojourn at Derby Works the locomotive was moved to Doncaster for final cutting up, completed during January 1977.

A glorious summers day finds 5199 heading south past Howe & Co Siding Signal Box with a train of steel on June 10th 1969. In applying the yellow warning panel the painters have covered the cab front upto the handrails, a little higher than normally found on most other Class 25's. 25049 succumbed to collision damage in December 1983, being promptly withdrawn after a visit to Derby Works, a far cry from this fine period view.

Howe & Co's siding had, six weeks earlier on April 23rd 1969, featured quite a different scene from the restful summer's morning featured above. In the early hours of that morning a northbound freight stopped at the siding to detach a van containing ammunition en-route from Chorley to Longtown CAD. A bearing was running hot, eventually setting fire to the van after it was dumped in the siding. The signalman alerted authorities but shortly after 8am the ammunition exploded, destroying the van and scattering un-exploded munitions over a wide area. The approaching 7.30am Appleby - Carlisle was stopped short of the scene as Army officials searched diligently for missing shells. Passengers were eventually bussed around the scene, the DMU working south with passengers for Skipton.

For a locomotive that spent its entire life allocated to LMR depots the splendour of the Settle & Carlisle would have been routine for 5298. Seen here, on April 30th 1969 approaching Ais Gill with a southbound freight.

Another longtime LMR stalwart, 7559 heads north with the 8M18 07.05 Tinsley - Carlisle freight at Ais Gill on April 30th 1969. The overcast weather has, to some extent worked to the advantage of the photographer. On a sunny day this southward looking view would have been a challenge.

Five months later on September 3rd 1969 7559 rests at Bescot between duties. The cab windows have received a good washing but the rest of the locomotive appears to have gone all summer without a wash. All would be rectified very soon as 7559 visited Crewe Works during October for a classified repair, which hopefully included a repaint.

Also at Bescot on September 3rd 1969 was Beyer Peacock built and equally work stained 7630. After a stint on the Eastern Region this locomotive spent the remainder of its working life on the LMR, ending its working career at Toton in November 1981. The end would come at Swindon during July 1983.

With a trace of snow on flat-topped Wild Boar Fell (2,234'), Beyer Peacock's last locomotive 7659 heads south with a lengthy 8E01 10.15 Carlisle - Carlton freight on April 30th 1969. Spending most of its career on the LMR 7659 ended its days as 25909, as part of the earliest Sectorisation locomotive pool. Greener pastures beckoned as 25909 became one of the Class 25's to reach preservation, though it's probably doubtful it will get to enjoy the wilds of the Settle & Carlisle route again.

During the summer of 1975 Derby Works handled its last repairs to the Class 24's. 24052 was one of those final few, seen here virtually ex-works at Cockshute depot September 28, 1975. Less than a year later, during July 1976 24052 was taken out of service and stored at Crewe. After the obligatory trip to Swindon Works, the end came during March 1978.

25002 accelerates away from Carlisle with a parcels train February 10, 1978. The summer of 1978 was spent at Glasgow Works, presumably under repair. Withdrawal came in December 1980, followed by a brief time of storage prior to heading south to Swindon Works, being laid to rest there during April 1981.

25022 drifts through the Rotherham area on a dull May 8, 1975. Eight months later the locomotive was in storage at Barrow Hill, during March 1976 (with 25024) a move was made to Glasgow Works, remaining there until January 1978 when the remains were finally broken up.

After 25035 & 25037, 25034 was the longest lived of the Class 25's. Delivered from Darlington in May 1963 25034 visted various LMR/ER/SCR depots prior to withdrawl during December 1986. Dual braked during a repair at Glasgow (April - June 1978), this ensured the longevity of this early Class 25. However by June 1987 Vic Berry had done his job. Seen here in better days at Ulverston, October 16th 1985.

A charming scene of 25058 and a Divisonal Manager's Saloon passing through Foxfield on April 16th 1986.

More views from Kevin's collection will be added as time permits.
Thanks Kevin for these fine memories!

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	Early in 1969 several of the first batch of Class 24's were stored or withdrawn. 5001 is seen here, withdrawn, at Crewe on February 21 1969. Later in the year changing circumstances saw 5001 visit Derby Works for an overhaul, allowing a further six years service at Leeds Holbeck, Polmadie, Eastfield & Longsight before being swept away in the great purge of the summer of '75.
	D5109 is having an adventure on the WCML, seen here at Oxenholme on July 13th 1968. This is one of the Gateshead allocated Type 2's dedicated to the Consett - Tyne Dock iron ore workings, specially equipped with an additional air compressor to operate the wagon doors. Also visible is the extra hose above the bufferbeam. These machines also lacked a train heating boiler, easily identifiable by the space left by the missing water tank between the bogies.
	5124 stands at Polmadie July 25th 1968. This locomotive spent its entire sixteen year career allocated to Scottish depots, prinicipally Inverness (60A). The great purge of 1975 missed 24124, it soldiered on for another year, finally being retired in July 1976. Remarkably it was not Doncaster but Swindon that would break up this machine (and three sisters) during May 1977
	Scheduled triple heading of trains on BR was rare, the Scottish Region having perhaps the only regular triple headed passenger service. In this view at Perth 5129 is detached from a service that has just arrived from Inverness, the two remaining Class 24's will go forward to either Edinburgh or Glasgow.
	5149 eases past Helwith signal box on a very wintry March 12, 1969. The locomotive was at this time allocated to Leeds Holbeck (55A), so trips over the Settle & Carlisle would be nothing unusual. The final four Class 24's had been delivered from Derby to Gateshead early in 1961. All four moved to Leeds in the summer of 1968, then all went on to Eastfield in October 1971.
	5149 again, this time at Horton-in-Ribblesdale, involved in a shunting operation. The sidings here served the large quarry near Horton. The signal box closed on May 1st 1984. After transfer to Eastfield 5149 remained in service for one year, before catching fire on a train bound for Killoch colliery. Quickly moved to Glasgow Works the locomotive was broken up during April 1973, never receiving its TOPS number.
	D5165 stands ex-works at Thornaby shed on April 28, 1968. 25015 would receive its last overhaul at Derby Works in the summer of 1971, at which time a cab roof from a Class 25/1 was fitted. Withdrawal came in December 1975, after having sustained minor collision damage. After a brief sojourn at Derby Works the locomotive was moved to Doncaster for final cutting up, completed during January 1977.
	A glorious summers day finds 5199 heading south past Howe & Co Siding Signal Box with a train of steel on June 10th 1969. In applying the yellow warning panel the painters have covered the cab front upto the handrails, a little higher than normally found on most other Class 25's. 25049 succumbed to collision damage in December 1983, being promptly withdrawn after a visit to Derby Works, a far cry from this fine period view.

	For a locomotive that spent its entire life allocated to LMR depots the splendour of the Settle & Carlisle would have been routine for 5298. Seen here, on April 30th 1969 approaching Ais Gill with a southbound freight.
	Another longtime LMR stalwart, 7559 heads north with the 8M18 07.05 Tinsley - Carlisle freight at Ais Gill on April 30th 1969. The overcast weather has, to some extent worked to the advantage of the photographer. On a sunny day this southward looking view would have been a challenge.
	Five months later on September 3rd 1969 7559 rests at Bescot between duties. The cab windows have received a good washing but the rest of the locomotive appears to have gone all summer without a wash. All would be rectified very soon as 7559 visited Crewe Works during October for a classified repair, which hopefully included a repaint.
	Also at Bescot on September 3rd 1969 was Beyer Peacock built and equally work stained 7630. After a stint on the Eastern Region this locomotive spent the remainder of its working life on the LMR, ending its working career at Toton in November 1981. The end would come at Swindon during July 1983.
	With a trace of snow on flat-topped Wild Boar Fell (2,234'), Beyer Peacock's last locomotive 7659 heads south with a lengthy 8E01 10.15 Carlisle - Carlton freight on April 30th 1969. Spending most of its career on the LMR 7659 ended its days as 25909, as part of the earliest Sectorisation locomotive pool. Greener pastures beckoned as 25909 became one of the Class 25's to reach preservation, though it's probably doubtful it will get to enjoy the wilds of the Settle & Carlisle route again.
	During the summer of 1975 Derby Works handled its last repairs to the Class 24's. 24052 was one of those final few, seen here virtually ex-works at Cockshute depot September 28, 1975. Less than a year later, during July 1976 24052 was taken out of service and stored at Crewe. After the obligatory trip to Swindon Works, the end came during March 1978.
	25002 accelerates away from Carlisle with a parcels train February 10, 1978. The summer of 1978 was spent at Glasgow Works, presumably under repair. Withdrawal came in December 1980, followed by a brief time of storage prior to heading south to Swindon Works, being laid to rest there during April 1981.
	25022 drifts through the Rotherham area on a dull May 8, 1975. Eight months later the locomotive was in storage at Barrow Hill, during March 1976 (with 25024) a move was made to Glasgow Works, remaining there until January 1978 when the remains were finally broken up.
	After 25035 & 25037, 25034 was the longest lived of the Class 25's. Delivered from Darlington in May 1963 25034 visted various LMR/ER/SCR depots prior to withdrawl during December 1986. Dual braked during a repair at Glasgow (April - June 1978), this ensured the longevity of this early Class 25. However by June 1987 Vic Berry had done his job. Seen here in better days at Ulverston, October 16th 1985.
	A charming scene of 25058 and a Divisonal Manager's Saloon passing through Foxfield on April 16th 1986.