A sunny day at Toton reveals an interesting line up on the apron at the north end of the shed. Although Toton was long associated with the Class 20's it also had considerable allocations of Peaks (Class 44/45) and Class 25's. Visitors could pretty much include anything the LMR or ER had to offer though most frequent visitors were Eastern Region Class 31 & 37's.
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After three years spent north of the border at Haymarket 25049 returned south to Crewe during October 1982. It is seen here at Leicester on March 25th 1983, on very familiar ground as it was delivered new to Toton in May 1963, spending much of its early years working over the Midland main line. By December 1983 25049 was at 'on decision' at Derby Works, withdrawal came in January, was moved to Swindon a year later and finally broken up during June 1985. |  |
New March 2002 Three months later 25049 sits on Buxton depot on June 19th 1983. The Class 25's that worked off Buxton depot handled some of the most demanding assignments worked by the class, principally the stone trains worked from the nearby limestone quarries at Tunstead. |  |
Seen at Derby on February 11th 1981 25050 has just completed a two year tour of duty at Eastfield & Haymarket, being transferred back to Toton in February 1981. On April 22nd 1983 25033 & 25050 collided with each other at Birkenhead shed, resulting in both being written off, with both moved to Derby Works for cannibalisation. |  |
New March 2002 A fine portrait of 25089 at Newton Heath on a gloriously sunny June 19th 1983. Displaying the typical Derby 'BR blue' treatment, one wonders what the Class 25's might have looked like if they'd lasted afew years longer into sectorisation. |  |
New March 2002 Another view from Buxton on June 19th 1983, this time of 25124, which ironically was one of seven Class 25's allocated to Trafford Park during the summer of 1964. From here they would take over the majority of the company ICI limestone trains, previously handled by the Stanier 8F's. By October 25124 would be withdrawn, making its way to Swindon for its demise during December 1986. |  |
Despite its good external condition 25141 will be withdrawn seven months after this photo was taken at Cockshute during February 1982. Delivered in August 1964 to Toton, 25141 would always be allocated to an LMR depot. After withdrawal a year was spent languishing at Longsight & Springs Branch, a move took place to Swindon, 25141 being one of the last broken up there, in January 1987. |  |
The end nearly came for 25175 during the summer of 1982, after being stored unserviceable at Crewe for several months power unit repairs were successfully completed at Derby Works, providing another three years of service. Seen here at Stafford on June 15th 1985 another six months remain for 25175, followed by storage at Crewe then cutting at Vic Berry's in April 1987. |  |
New March 2002 On a gloomy June 8th 1985 25199 & 25181 head south through Preston station. The final days of the Class 25's would see many of the remaining members active in the Preston area, frequently on the early morning Manchester Red Bank - Barrow newspapers. |  |
New March 2002 With four months of active service left, 25230 is seen at Crewe station on April 2nd 1986 in charge of a parcels working. As the time grew short for the Class 25's the remaining members were either allocated to Crewe or Carlisle Kingmoor, but they would continue to range widely over the LMR, parts of the ER and southern Scotland. |
Thanks Russell!!