When the Class 25's were first delivered in to service back in the early 1960's, it would be hard to imagine some twenty five years on, just how the machines would end their days. A good bet would have been that the railway workshops as in days gone by would scrap them as their working lives came to an end. Which was how many of the those withdrawn in the 1970's were dealt with. But as the pace of withdrawals increased and the roles played by the Workshops changed, the private scrapyards, as in the steam days, began to play a much more significant role.

By the time Vic Berry's yard at Leicester had begun to scrap locomotive I was no longer in the UK, so I'm very grateful to a number of contributors who have supplied some interesting (if not despairing) views of the yard, which although perhaps most famous for its three tier stack of Class 25/27's did cut up many other types of locomotives and railcars.

January 1987

During the late 1970's 25287 survived a short period of time withdrawn at Derby Works prior to repair & re-instatement. However by December 1985 final withdrawal had come and 25287 was eventually moved to Vic Berry's, Leicester. Seen here January 31st 1987. Photograph courtesy Gary Thornton.

September 1987

	A busy view of the yard with a great variety of stock on hand, September 18th 1987. Photograph courtesy Michael Kaye.
	With the cabs requiring more time and effort to cut they were frequently tossed to one side until resources were available to finish them off. Setptember 18th 1987. Photograph courtesy Michael Kaye.
	September 18th 1987, the scenic view - 27049/053/037 on display. Photograph courtesy Michael Kaye.
	Better days would have seen these three fine machines at Eastfield, now they're just so much fodder for the scrapman, September 18th 1987. Photograph courtesy Michael Kaye.
	History, of some sort, in the making at Vic Berry's Yard on September 18th 1987. Photograph courtesy Michael Kaye.
	27049/053/037 form the end locomotives on the stack at Vic Berry's Yard on September 18th 1987. Photograph courtesy Michael Kaye.
	September 18th 1987, a slightly different view of the stack. Photograph courtesy Michael Kaye.
	A view across the yard on September 18th 1987 as 27052 and another Class 27 slowly disappear. Photograph courtesy Michael Kaye.
	The heart of the business - something to scrap, the tools to scrap it with, a good supply of dismembered parts and a generous helping of mud. 27052 on September 18th 1987. Photograph courtesy Michael Kaye.
	The sun shines for a shortwhile longer on the diminishing stack of Class 27' & 25's, December 2nd 1988. Photograph courtesy Michael Kaye. (And also to Gary Thornton for a very similar B&W view.)
	On September 18th 1987 all that remains of 25158 are its cabs, put aside until the breaking up of larger items has been completed, then the cutters would return to the multitude of cabs frequently found scattered about the yard. Photograph courtesy Michael Kaye.
	Not quite Vic Berry's Yard but many locomotives sent to Berry's laid over at Leicester, Humberstone Road before being tripped to Berry's. 97405 on September 18th 1987. Photograph courtesy Michael Kaye.

May 1988

	A greatly reduced stack with 27053 on the ground, 27025 on the scond row and 27023 on the third row. Photograph courtesy Michael Kaye.
	Another view from May 1st 1988, of doorless DMU's and a great quantity of cabs, a mixture from Classes 25 & 27. Photograph courtesy Michael Kaye.

June 1988

A line up of 25265, 25035 & 45144 on June 5th 1989. The two Type 2's will eventually move on into preservation. 45144 suffered derailment damage at Malago Vale carriage sidings, after withdrawal it was dispatched from there direct to Vic Berry's. By July 1988 it would be no more. Photograph courtesy Jerry Glover.

August 1988

Its August 20th 1988 and the stack is much smaller. 27023 & 25095 sit on top, the only other easily identifiable machine on this damp day is 27025. Photograph courtesy Robert Inns.

September 1988

	Front and center is an unidentified Class 20 cab surrounded by other Class 20's & 45's, September 1st 1988. Photograph courtesy Michael Kaye.
	With all the locomotives types and parts on display this should be Derby Works, but alas its not and everything in view has turned its last wheel. Behind the set of Class 45 bogies is 45116 - September 1st 1988. Photograph courtesy Michael Kaye.
	Another view of the diminishing stack of locomotives on September 1st 1988, the Class 27's nearest the camera are unchanged however Class 45's now grace the other end. Photograph courtesy Michael Kaye.

October 1988

	As they had in their service careers for over twenty years, a Class 25 & 40 sit side by side awaiting their next turn of duty, which in this case will never come. 25908 on October 30th 1988 Photograph courtesy Gary Thornton.
	A miserable damp October 22nd 1988 reveals a scene of dismemberment in Berry's yard. Front and center is part of 45069 and to the left under the arm of the tracked vehicle is a Sulzer power unit. Photograph courtesy Michael Kaye.

December 1988

	December 2nd 1988, the future looks bright for 97201, 25908's future doesn't look so rosy, by the end of the month it will be no more. Photograph courtesy Michael Kaye.
	December 2nd 1988 - an unidentified Class 45, well part of it, is manouevred round the yard with a crane. Vic Berry frequently cut the big Class 45's into three parts in their demolition of them. Photograph courtesy M Kaye.

January 1989

Its now January 15th 1989 and 25908 is now little more than a few bits and pieces, with the battered cabs being the most recogniseable parts. Photograph courtesy Gary Thornton.

March 1989

	To the background of several Class 25 & 27 cabs, a bogie from a Class 25 succumbs to the cutters torch on March 5th 1989. Photograph courtesy Gary Thornton.
	Having been removed from the stack and un-ceremoniously chopped in two 25911 awaits its final deliverance, March 5th 1989. Photograph courtesy Gary Thornton.
	One of Vic Berry's men cuts into the framework of a Class 25 bogie, March 1989. Photograph courtesy Gary Thornton.

June 1989

June 11th 1989 - 25903. Photograph courtesy Jerry Glover.

August 1989

	Parts of 47408 on August 21st 1989 - not a pretty sight, but better remembered romping up and down the ECML as an almost permanent fixture whilst taking advantage of East Midlands Ranger tickets back in the late 1970's - Happy Days!! Photograph courtesy Michael Kaye.
	Parts of 47103 & 50047 on August 21st 1989. Photograph courtesy Michael Kaye.
	Looks like an EE 16 cylinder out of 50047 and 25202, well some of it, to the right. August 21st 1989. Photograph courtesy Michael Kaye.
	Another ECML stalwart comes home for the last time, 47420 on August 21st 1989. The cross section profile clearly shows the lack of a substantial underframe, with the body designed to take more of the load bearing stresses. Definately a weight saving idea, but liable to lead to more costly repairs if the structure became compromised in a collision. Photograph courtesy Michael Kaye.

February 1990

	One of those views you don't see too often, fortunately. A cross-section of 31322 on February 6th 1990. To the left are the exhausters, the red pipework is the fire equipment, the battery isolating switch is center bottom and the compressors are to the right. Photograph courtesy Michael Kaye.
	Well here is two thirds of the unfortunate 31322, awaiting final dispatch into smaller pieces, February 6th 1990. Photograph courtesy Michael Kaye.
	47410 on February 6th 1990 with engine removed and waiting for its final demise. In the foreground are the remains of what appears to be DMU. Photograph courtesy Michael Kaye.
	Name your price! Apparently these plates were being offered at about GBP150 each. Of course the bicycle might be more useful. Photograph courtesy Michael Kaye.
	Two grounded Class 20's with 20201 nearest the camera on February 6th 1990. Photograph courtesy Michael Kaye.

August 1990

	August 18th 1990. Photograph courtesy Robert Inns.
	A variery of rolling stock reaches skyward on August 18th 1990. Photograph courtesy Robert Inns.
	August 18th 1990 E75269 (302296) and E61107. Photograph courtesy Robert Inns.
	August 18th 1990 S71161 unloaded in just 75 minutes. Photograph courtesy Robert Inns.
	August 18th 1990 85019, 85025, CIE 208 & 219. Photograph courtesy Robert Inns.
	August 18th 1990 CIE 219. Photograph courtesy Robert Inns.
	August 18th 1990 85025 & 85019. Photograph courtesy Robert Inns.
	August 18th 1990 M56149 & M56120. Photograph courtesy Robert Inns.
	August 18th 1990 S60521 & S60524. Photograph courtesy Robert Inns.
	August 18th 1990 M2009 and M2417. Photograph courtesy Robert Inns.

Date Uncertain

Delivered from Gorton in October 1965, 25282's existance ended like many others in Vic Berry's yard at Leicester. In between those dates and places there is no doubt that D7632/25282 travelled over much of the BR network, including occasional forays onto Southern metals. Photograph courtesy Gary Thornton.

More to be added as time permits.

Page added April 22nd 2006.
Page last updated November 28th 2006

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