The seventeen year nine month career of D7676/25326 was spent allocated to London Midland & Western Region depots.
Built: BR Derby Locomotive Works.
Blue & yellow livery from new.
Dual brake equipped (1978).
Final exhaust roof panel: raised, square.
Time between last Classified repair and withdrawal: 83 months.
Time between withdrawal and scrapping: 13 months.
Allocations
D7676 was new to the Nottingham Division (D16) on April 22nd 1967. Further transfers were:
July 1967 to Carlisle Upperby (12B).
February 1968 to Carlisle Kingmoor (12A).
May 1968 to Longsight (9A).
June 1968 to Manchester Division (D09).
November 1970 to Liverpool Division (D08).
October 1971 to Laira (84A).
January 1972 to Bristol (82A).
May 1972 to Cardiff (86A).
December 1972 to Laira (84A).
August 1975 to Crewe.
May 1978 to Springs Branch.
July 1978 to Cricklewood.
July 1983 to Crewe.
Withdrawn January 23rd 1985.
Renumbered February 4th 1974.
25326 was the 232nd Class 25 withdrawn, one of five retired during January 1985.
On January 26th 1985 25326 was noted at Bescot. After withdrawal 25326 was stored at Cricklewood until May 3rd 1985 when it moved to North Acton with 25075, 25219 & 25306, then to Swindon on May 14th 1985 and into the Works the next day. By the end of February 1986 25326 had been scrapped.
Works Visits
Works visits (records incomplete).
Paint date ?? DY 18-3-67
Paint date DY 26-1-72
Noted Derby Works October 1974.
Noted Derby Works January & February 1978 (Classified & dual brake equipment fitted).
Highlights
1966
June saw the frames laid at Derby for the last batch of Class 25's, D7660 - 7677, under order number 11001. These were part of an order given to Beyer Peacock but their worsening financial position led to the company asking for a release from the final eighteen machines.
1967
D7676 was delivered to the Nottingham Division (D16) during April, being delivered new in blue livery with full yellow ends. D7671 - 7677 were transferred to Carlisle (12B) during July, as part of the manouevring of the diesel fleet to eradicate steam in the north west.
On the evening of June 27th D5200, D5262 & D7676 were stabled at Derby.
On the morning of June 28th D7676 was light at Derby.
On the morning of July 5th D7676 was shunting at Derby.
On the morning of July 6th D7676 was shunting at Derby.
1968
On the afternoon of April 25th D7676 was southbound at Crewe Gresty Lane with a freight.
1969
On February 17th 7676 worked the 12.18 Glasgow Central - Manchester Victoria forward from Preston.
The 10.00 Sheffield - Llandudno Town and the return 14.28 Llandudno Town - Sheffield were worked by 7676 on August 9th.
On October 19th 7676 was noted at Peak Forest with a permanent way train.
1970
7676 was noted at Buxton in February in faded blue/yellow livery, with two numbers and emblems on each side, with 'D' prefixes. The engine exhaust area had a new 'L' shaped roof panel, of shiny metal (unpainted).
On July 18th 7676 & 7569 were noted at Lancaster with the nine coach 1J80 15.00 Barrow - Manchester Victoria.
On August 29th the 09.20 Manchester Piccadilly - Yarmouth to Lincoln Central and the return 09.28 Yarmouth - Manchester Piccadilly from Lincoln Central were worked by 7676 & 5200.
1971
Condition April: still in original paint, emblems on cabsides, numbers with D prefixes on bodysides.
In a reshuffle of power to assist in the removal of the hydraulics on the Western Region 7675 - 7677 were transferred to Laira (84A) during October.
On October 3rd 7676 was reported as being received at Laira.
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.
On the evening of October 8th 7676 was noted at Exeter St Davids with headcode 6B65, being the 20.20 Plymouth Friary - Exeter cement tanks.
At about 6.30pm on December 29th 7676 was noted light engine on the up through road at Exeter St Davids.
1972
By January 7676 & 7677 were at Bristol (82A), then 7675 - 7677 were off to Cardiff (86A) in May. By the end of the year the three of them were back at Laira (84A).
During 1970 D5179 - 5182 went to Ebbw Vale for testing in multiple on the 63 mile Port Talbot - Ebbw Vale iron ore trains, which included the six mile 1 in 80 gradient between Aberbeeg and Ebbw Vale, often requiring a restart at Aberbeeg. These services highlighted known weaknesses with the Class 25's traction motors especially when worked in multiple. The 25/1 & 2 subclasses had field weakening controlled by the engine governor and main generator field strength whilst the 25/3 subclass had speed induced field weakening. Should a trailing unit have improperly functioning field weakening it was possible for the motors to sustain major damage without the driver's knowledge. In addition the margin between the continuous and short time ratings for the motors was minimal. Remedies for this involved strict maintenance, driver education, avoiding mixing 25/3's with earlier machines or reducing trailing loads if that happened. As a result on these workings the 25/1's had their maximum tonnage reduced from 930 tons to 810 tons. Tests using 7569 & 7676 in June and October 1972 specifically identified the sub-class variations as the main weakness. This was especially true in the field divert relays and their poor adjustment. Other areas of concern were faulty traction motor blowers, overly high engine governor settings, load regulator switches failing in the closed position, thus giving fluctuations and excessive current. On the similarly heavy Tunstead - Northwich limestone trains a heavy toll was taken on the traction motors. During the 1970's traction motors were failing over 200 times per annum, the LMR alone changing 66 in 1975 and 121 in 1976 including eleven machines having all four motors changed. Whilst the small motor may have been easy to work on it still required a lifting of the body to change it out. As motors were connected in series parallel flashovers might occur in sympathy and could lead to a main generator failure. In 1976 an attempt to resolve the problems involved 25088 being fitted with a redesigned field divert contactor and adjusted field divert resistor with the main generator altered to Class 25/3 specifications. (Such were the results of the testing of 7569 & 7676).
On March 4th 7676 was noted passing Stapleton Road on a ballast working.
On March 30th 5230 & 7676 worked the 4B10 15.53 Bristol - Plymouth parcels (fifteen vans).
On April 7th the 1E54 14.05 Plymouth - Leeds City saw Class 45 No.36 piloted by 7676 at least as far as Bristol Temple Meads.
At about 2.45pm on November 27th 7676 ran light from Exeter to Chard Junction.
At about 12.25pm on December 18th 7676 & 7624 departed Exeter stabling point in the down direction, 7624 was dead.
1973
On January 6th 7676 worked the 6B66 10.40 Barnstaple - Exeter vans.
On February 26th 7676 worked the 6B66 10.40 Barnstaple - Exeter vans. It later ran light up to Exeter Riverside to work the 7B70 13.15 to Hemyock.
February 28th was the day of a one-day ASLEF strike, stabled at Exeter (stabling point or Riverside) at midday were 30, 94, 141, 1007, 1027, 1028, 1053?, 1057, 1068, 1638, 1673, 1741, 3797, 4158, 4160, 7016, 7506, 7507, 7656, 7676 and five diesel multiple unit sets.
On March 1st 7676 worked the 6B16 10.40 Barnstaple - Exeter vans.
On March 5th the 6B65 20.25 Plymouth Friary - Exeter Riverside cement (17 Presflos) arrived at Exeter with 7676 & 85. Early the next morning 85 ran light to Newton Abbot.
March 8th was the day of a one-day strike, stabled at Exeter (stabling point or Riverside) were 35, 85, 162, 189, 1020, 1026, 1030, 1034, 1043, 1563, 1659, 1680, 3509, 3797, 4022, 4158, 4160, 7055, 7506, 7656, 7675, 7676 and six diesel multiple unit sets.
On March 23rd 1927 failed at Exeter Riverside with a split coolant pipe whilst working the 7B35, 7676 took the failed locomotive to Exeter stabling point.
On March 28th 7676 worked the 2B84 20.10 Exeter St Davids - Newton Abbot and was then booked to return light engine to Exeter stabling point.
On March 29th 7676 worked the 7B73 12.30 Exeter - Newcourt freight (nine wagons and one brakevan).
On March 30th 7676 worked the 6B36 19.32 Exeter Riverside - Plymouth Friary freight.
On March 31st 7676 worked the 6B17 16.35 Hemyock - Exeter milk (nine tanks).
On April 3rd 7676 worked the 6B66 10.40 Barnstaple - Exeter vans. It then ran light to Exeter Riverside for service on the Hemyock branch.
At about 1.00am on June 16th the 6B68 22.05FO St Blazey - Exeter Riverside clay arrived at Exeter with 7676 & 7656. Both locomotives retired to the stabling point. The next day, Sunday June 17th during the afternoon 7676 & 7656 worked a relaying train with crane from Liskeard to Tavistock Junction and were later noted returning light engines to St Blazey. Also on this day 7573 was on empty ballast wagons at Lostwithiel.
On June 23rd 7656 & 7676 worked the 22nd's 1V53 23.55 FO Liverpool - Penzance from Newton Abbot to Penzance, at this time this turn was booked for two Class 25s. 7676 would return north from Penzance with the 23rd's 4B17 Penzance - Bristol Temple Meads vans as far as Plymouh.
On June 29th 7676 worked the 6B64 13.25 Plymouth Friary - Exeter Riverside freight. At about 5.30pm On June 30th 7676 was noted passing Liskeard with the 6B31 18.15 Plymouth Friary - Par freight comprised of just three wagons!
On July 14th Exeter stabling point included 7577, 7656, 7657 & 7676.
On August 4th 7676 worked the 09.51 Exeter St Davids - Barnstaple and the 12.20 return.
At about 18.55 on August 11th 7676 & 7625 were noted passing Liskeard with the 7B31 18.20 Plymouth Friary - St Blazey freight. The next day, August 12th 7625 & 7676 were noted passing Liskeard at 16.30 with empty ballast hoppers for Tavistock Junction.
On August 25th 7676 & 7624 worked the 24th's 1V53 FO Liverpool - Penzance forward from either Newton Abbot or Plymouth and later worked the 4B17 12.55 Penzance - Bristol vans as far as Plymouth. 7676 later returned west light engine with what should have been the 6B31 18.20 Plymouth Friary - Truro Presflos, but there was no traffic for this train.
On the afternoon of August 26th 7676 was noted at Liskeard with the ?Z79 up empty rail train, returning three hours later light engine to St Blazey.
On September 1st 7625 & 7676 worked August 31st's 1V53 23.55 FO Liverpool - Penzance forward from Newton Abbot and returned east with the 1C04 12.45 Penzance - Cardiff to Plymouth comprised of eleven Mark 1 coaches. This was not the normal return working for the Class 25s, usually it was the 4B17 vans with one Class 25.
A Barnsley - Barnstaple day excursion (1Z25) on October 6th utilised 7676 & 7677 over the Exeter St Davids - Barnstaple - Exeter St Davids portion, on the return leg 1624 took over for the run north.
On October 13th 7676 worked the 6B66 10.45 Barnstable - Exeter vans (six vans) and later worked the 6B27 17.05 Hemyock - Exeter milk (four tanks and three brake vans).
On October 26th 7676 worked the 6B27 17.05 Hemyock - Exeter milk (three tanks).
On October 27th 7676 worked a 6Bxx Lapford - Exeter milk.
On November 3rd 7676 worked the 6B18 14.50 Exeter - Chard Junction milk empties and the 6B58 17.00 Chard Junction - Exeter milk.
On December 1st 7676 worked the 6B27 17.05 Hemyock - Exeter milk.
During the early afternoon on December 15th 7676 was noted at Exeter stabling point.
1974
On January 24th 7676 ran light engine from St Blazey to Bodmin Road, arriving 15.35.
On March 2nd 25326 worked the 6B66 10.40 Barnstaple - Exeter vans (three vans).
At about 5pm on March 3rd 25326 was noted at Exeter with six milk tanks from Lapford.
On May 18th 25326 was noted at Exeter St Davids with a parcels train.
On May 21st 25326 worked the 6B67 19.10 Barnstaple - Exeter vans.
On May 22nd 25326 worked the 6B67 19.10 Barnstable - Exeter vans (three vans).
On May 27th 25326 worked the 2B99 15.58 Exeter - Barnstaple and the 17.55 Barnstaple - Exeter.
On May 31st 25326 worked the 7B70 13.25 Exeter Riverside - Hemyock milk empties.
On June 1st 25326 worked the 6B67 11.05 Barnstaple - Exeter vans.
On June 4th 25326 worked the 7B70 13.25 Exeter Riverside - Hemyock milk empties.
On June 8th 25326 worked the 2B99 12.20 Barnstaple - Exeter.
On June 16th 25326 worked the 2B99 15.55 Exeter - Barnstaple.
At about 7pm on June 17th 25326 was noted at Exeter on the 5B48 empty coaching stock movement.
On June 18th 25326 worked the 6B67 19.20? Barnstable - Exeter vans.
At about midday on June 20th 25326 was stabled at Exeter.
On July 3rd 25326 worked the 6B62 19.10 Barnstaple - Exeter vans.
On July 11th 25326 worked the 6B70 16.57 Hemyock - Exeter milk (one tank).
On July 13th 25326 worked the 6B27 17.05 Hemyock - Exeter milk (four tanks).
On July 15th 7026 was sent out as pilot on the 15.55 Exeter - Barnstaple to assist 25326 which had failed on the Barnstaple freight working, 7026 (with 25326?) worked the 19.10 Barnstaple - Exeter vans.
On July 16th & 17th 25326 was noted at Exeter stabling point.
On July 19th 25326 worked the 6B67 19.10 Barnstaple - Exeter vans (two vans).
On July 20th 25326 worked the 6B67 11.05 Barnstaple - Exeter vans (seven vans). It would later worked the 2B99 15.55 Exeter St Davids - Barnstaple and the 17.55 Barnstaple - Exeter St Davids.
On July 24th the 20.15 Exeter St. Davids - Newton Abbot was worked by 25326.
On August 24th 25326 worked the 6B27 17.05 Hemyock - Exeter milk (three tanks).
1975
On February 28th 25326 & 25172 were noted at Exeter with the 6A19 13.05 St Erth - Acton milk (14 tanks).
Easter Saturday, March 29th found 25219, 25274 & 25326 on Exeter stabling point.
On March 31st 25326 worked the 2B99 14.10 Barnstaple - Exeter. Later this day the multiple unit working the 17.42 Exeter St Davids - Barnstaple was reported with only one engine operating, 25326 was added to the service for the roundtrip.
During the late evening of April 7th 25326 was noted at Exeter stabling point.
On July 14th 25326 was noted at Bodmin Road with a short engineers train.
After nearly four years on the Western Region 25326 was transferred to Crewe in August.
A short lived summer diagram involved the 07.19 Bangor - Manchester, the 12.42 back to Llandudno and the 18.40 return to Manchester, then ecs to Bangor. Most frequently in the hands of a Class 40, 25327 worked the diagram on August 25th.
25325 was noted in Derby Works during September.
1976
25326 + 24082 were noted at Birkenhead North on June 17th with an iron ore train.
On September 19th 25326 & 25156 were noted at Lichfield Trent Valley running wrong line with a loaded spoil train.
On the late afternoon of October 16th noted at Guide Bridge were 25103, 25147, 25185, 25242, 25257 & 25326.
1977
25326 was stabled at Birkenhead Mollington Street on June 16th.
25326 was noted on a permanent way train at Birkenhead North on December 4th.
1978
25326 visited Derby Works during January & February.
On February 2nd 25326 made a test run from Derby Works.
The snag sheet for February 2nd recorded:
| 25326; February 2nd 1978; 1C49 Derby | |||||
| Load | Speed | Amps | Volts | Notes | Other |
| 1 | 29 | 900 | - | - | - | 2 | 49 | 850 | - | - | - | 3 | - | - | - | - | - | 4 | - | - | - | - | - | 5 | - | - | - | - | - | 6 | - | - | - | - | - |
No.1 rocker cover
Triple pump fuel pump adaptor
No.2 cab 2nd man's side light switch upside down
No.1 cab AWS not cancelling everytime
No.2 roof leak
Boiler room ?? glass
Heavy knock around Nos.3 & 4 cylinders - to investigate and recify.
On February 27th a St. Pancras - Sheffield service failed at Leicester behind a Class 45, 25326 took over to Derby where 45008 took over.
A Stoke-on-Trent - Skegness service was worked by 25326 & 25191 on July 1st, the stock returned as an empty coaching stock move. On July 22nd the 04.15 Shrewsbury - Aberystwyth and the 10.07 Aberystwyth - Euston to Wellington were worked by 25326 & 25313. At Wellington both Class 25s failed and were dragged to Wolverhampton by a Class 47.
On August 19th the six coach 08.43 Scarborough - Sheffield was worked by 25326, normally a Class 31 or 37 turn.
On the morning of September 6th 25326 was northbound at Harrow with a freight and on the late afternoon of September 6th 25079?, 25118, 25179 & 25326 were noted at Willesden.
On Friday September 8th 25326 worked the 09.55 Willesden to Norwood and (presumably) the 12.00 Norwood - Willesden.
Observations on the Midland main line on October 28th included:
25137, 25178, 25276 Cricklewood 10.20am
25053 southbound permanent way Bedford 11.00am
25177 & 25071 Bedford stabling point 11.00
25326 Wellingborough 11.25am
25245, 25270, 25312 Leicester shed 12.05pm
25137 northbound steel Derby 3.00pm
1979
25326 was on parcels duty at Euston on January 26th.
On Wednesday March 28th 25326 worked the 09.55 Willesden to Norwood and the return 12.00 Norwood to Willesden.
On the afternoon of April 17th 25326 was stabled at Gloucester.
On the afternoon of April 26th 25326 was at Acton with an up goods.
On June 28th 25307 & 25326 were noted at Wellingborough with the Stewartby - Garston.
On July 4th a Nottingham - Lowestoft special was powered by 25307 & 25326, or was this a Northampton - Lowestoft on July 5th with 25037 & 25326??
1980
January 19th found 25315 in trouble on the northbound Fletliner, suffering a seized traction motor at Wellingborough. Assistance arrived in the shape of 47149, replacing the defective 25 and sister 25326.
On March 19th the 11.08 St. Pancras - Nottingham failed behind 45143 at ??, 25326 dragged the service to Nottingham.
25315 & 25326 were noted at Forders Siding on August 1st.
1981
25326 was noted at Euston with coaching stock on January 26th.
25326 received an E exam at Cricklewood during May.
On July 22nd 25326 & 25307 were noted at Bow Brickhill with a Fletliner train.
25313 & 25326 worked the northbound Stewartby - Garston 'Fletliner' on August 3rd.
On September 6th 25326 was stabled at Bletchley. A week later on September 13th the 00.25 Manchester Piccadilly - Euston was worked between Bletchley & Willesden by 25326 & 25278 due to the power being off for engineering work.
On the morning of September 14th 25069, 25193, 25213, 25326 & 25327 were noted at Willesden.
On the morning of September 16th 25057, 25196, 25207, 25213, 25278, 25311 & 25326 were noted at Willesden.
On the morning of September 24th 25196, 25213, 25288, 25313 & 25326 were noted at Willesden.
On October 30th 25326 worked the 08.22 Barrow - Blackpool North.
Whilst working the 16.17 Newcastle - Cardiff on December 11th 45038 failed in the Chesterfield area, 25326 whilst still attached to its Speedlink freight train pushed the service to Chesterfield station where 47374 took over.
Shortly after noon on December 17th 25326 was southbound with a test train at Kettering.
1982
25326 was stabled at York on January 13th.
25326 was noted at Euston on February 12th.
On the afternoon of February 22nd 25326 was at Acton Yard.
On March 2nd 25312 & 25326 were noted at Nuneaton on a stone train, two of seven Class 25s present in the Nuneaton station area at the same time.
On the morning of April 1st 25326 was stabled at Leicester.
On May 21st the 09.03 Cambridge - Birmingham New Street was worked forward from Oakham by 25326 after 31133 failed, returning with the 16.17 Birmingham New Street - Norwich as far as March. On May 24th 25326 was noted at Peterborough with empty ballast wagons.
25326 was noted at Reddish on July 2nd.
On August 4th 25326 worked the 6F40 Tunstead - Northwich loaded ICI hoppers.
It was a busy weekend for 25326 & 25321 on August 7th & 8th. On 7th they worked the 10.10 Euston - Aberystwyth from Birmingham New Street, returning with the 16.05 Aberystwyth - Shrewsbury. The next day (8th) they worked the 08.45 Birmingham New Street - Aberystwyth from Shrewsbury, the 16.40 Aberystwyth - Machynlleth and 17.25 Machynlleth return and the 18.15 Aberystwyth - Euston to Wolverhampton. A week later on August 14th the 08.10 St. Pancras - Leicester was worked forward from Bedford by 25326. Two days later (16th) the 08.04 Birmingham New Street - Norwich was worked from Leicester to March by 25326, which had replaced 25086.
On the afternoon of September 27th 25140 & 25326 were stabled at Cricklewood.
25326 was noted at Nuneaton on December 29th.
1983
On January 8th a Euston - Blackpool North service was worked forward from Preston by 25326.
On the morning of January 18th 25326 was at Preston with an up trip freight.
Stabled at Northampton (or passing throught light?) on March 9th were 25326, 31121, 31212 & 37242. The 08.00 Liverpool - Euston required assitance as far as Crewe on March 18th from 25326 due to the power being off because of overhead line damage. On May 19th the 08.05 Liverpool - Newcastle required the assistance of 25326 between Manchester Victoria & Leeds, here 45060 took over.
On May 18th 25326 was the Manchester Victoria pilot. On May 23rd 25326 was noted southbound at Warrington Bank Quay station with a short freight.
On June 3rd 25326 & 25313 worked the Ellesmere Port - Exeter Riverside tar tanks. On June 20th 25284 & 25326 were stabled at Stoke on Trent station. The diesel multiple unit working June 22nd's 06.00 Crewe - Cardiff failed at Shrewsbury, 25326 worked the service forward.
25326 moved to Crewe in July, this would be its last transfer.
25326 was noted at Warrington Arpley Low Level on October 10th with a short freight.
A short working took place on December 29th when the relief 10.05 Penzance - York failed at Northfield behind 45063, the service was dragged to Birmingham New Street by 25326.
1984
25326 & 31318 were noted light engines at Leamington on January 27th.
On February 5th 25326 & 25265 hauled the 23.05 Euston - Nuneaton relief northwards from Northampton.
The end of March saw much continued activity of Class 25's in the North East including 25326 working the Haverton Hill - Stevenston tanks on 23rd. 25326 was noted at Guide Bridge on March 25th.
On April 18th 25326 was noted at Peak Forest & Deansgate Junction with a train of loaded ICI hoppers. 25326 was stabled at Northwich on April 21st.
On May 18th 25326 & 25268 were noted at Warrington Bank Quay with the Oakamoor - St Helens sand train.
25326 was noted at Preston station on August 6th and at Ladywell sidings on August 8th. On the afternoon of August 24th 25326 was at Basford Hall with the down Fletliner. On August 25th 25326 worked an early morning Manchester Piccadilly - Crewe relief, this is believed to be 25326's last passenger working. It was later noted this day eastbound at Manchester Victoria with empty vans for Red Bank.
25326 was noted at Manchester Victoria on September 29th (with 7673 showing through the paintwork on the No.1 cab).
1985
25326 was withdrawn on January 23rd 1985.
Distinguishing Features
No.1 cabfront: rust patch beneath left handside miscellaneous bracket: September 1984 until withdrawal.
No.2 cab 2nd man's cabside: unpainted window frame: May 1982 - October 1983.
No.2 cabfront: two rust patches, above handrail below driver's window and on column between driver's window and center window: May 1983 - August 1984.
35/2179
flk 0821
Not all known passenger workings are recorded on this page.
Resources:
1970s Western Region information courtesy online notebooks of Sean Greenslade.
Page added June 13th 2003.
Last updated December 26th 2023.
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