D5208, 5208, 25058
D5208, 5208, 25058
25058 - a locomotive with nine lives?

Photograph courtesy Paul Bettany
In a fine night-time view at Crewe on March 22nd 1986 as 25058 drifts through with a trainload of low-sided wagons, at this time 25058 was then in its last year of operation on British Rail.

Built: Derby Locomotive Works.
Boiler equipped.
Dual brake equipped (August 1974).
Center lampbracket & other fittings removed (No.2 cab only 1983).
Time between last Classified repair and withdrawal: 90 months.
Time between withdrawal and scrapping: 23 months.

The twenty three year seven month career of D5208/25058 saw allocations to London Midland Region & Western Region depots with a very brief loan to the Scottish Region.

Allocations

The frames for D5208 were laid down at Derby Works during March 1963 with D5208 delivered new to Toton (18A) on June 22nd 1963. Further transfers were:

July 1963 to Cricklewood (14A).
September 1963 to Cricklewood (14B).
January 1965 to London Midland, Midland Lines (LMML).
July 1965 to Scottish Region on loan.
August 1965 to London Midland, Midland Lines (LMML).
August 1965 to Nottingham Division (D16).
October 1966 to London Midland, Midland Lines (LMML).
January 1968 to Longsight (9A).
March 1968 to Carlisle (12A).
June 1968 to Preston Division (D10).
November 1968 to Liverpool Division (D08).
November 1970 to Manchester Division (D09).
May 1971 to Liverpool Division (D08).
January 1972 to Manchester Division (D09).
May 1973 to Longsight.
January 1975 to Springs Branch.
May 1978 to Laira.
November 1980 to Bescot.
July 1985 to Crewe.
February 3rd 1987 withdrawn

Renumbered February 27th 1974.

Carried unofficial painted name Castell Criccieth / Criccieth Castle.

25058 reached Basford Hall by March 22nd for storage and remained here until the middle of July. On July 16th 25042/058/285/910 were moved as the 9L37 Basford Hall - Leicester, Humberstone Road. 25058 was then tripped as the 9T16 Humberstone Road - Vic Berry's yard on July 24th, by August 10th 25058 was on the infamous heap at Berry's, it remained 'intact' until the end of October 1988, by Christmas 1988 it was partly cut up and by the end of January 1989 nothing remained.

Works Visits

Works visits (records incomplete).

Noted Derby Works May 1965.
Noted Derby Works November 1966.
Noted Crewe Works April 1970.
Noted Derby Works October 1972.
Noted Derby Works June & August 1974 (Dual brakes fitted, full repaint).
Noted Derby Works November 1976 - January 1977.
Noted Derby Works June & July 1979 (Intermediate).
Noted Derby Works April 1981 (N4 repairs).
Noted Derby Works June - November 1983 (collision repairs).

Highlights

1963
D5208 was delivered from Derby Locomotive Works during June, and allocated to Toton (18A) as one of the large fleet of Type 2s involved in the replacement of steam on the Midland Lines north of St Pancras. D5208 made its test trip to Corby and back on June 18th 1963.

During July D5208 was transferred to Cricklewood (14A). Initially the new Type 2s delivered from Derby would remain only briefly at Toton, to allow any faults that might appear in their running-in to be easily fixed before they were allocated further afield.

Their working life on British Railways followed a pattern, initially used to oust steam on the lines north of St Pancras they would later move to the north west for a similar purpose to oust steam from Cumbria and Lancashire. Several years later these three would be part of the transfers used to allow the withdrawal of some of the less successful Modernisation Plan diesel designs from the Western & Scottish Regions. After these transfers it was a case of gradual retrenchment, with most returning to the London Midland Region to work out their final days. Their longevity was extended by the fitting of dual braking equipment during Works visits in the 1970s, and being boiler equipped also enhanced their usefulness.

1965
D5208 was noted in Derby Works during May, by July it had been loaned to the Scottish Region for a month, performing regularly on the 09:30 Glasgow Queen Street - Kings Cross as far as Edinburgh. After its stint on Scottish metals it returned south being re-allocated to the Nottingham Division (D16).

1966
On the morning of January 29th D5208 was light engine at Derby.

On the afternoon of February 12th D5208 was light engine at Derby.

On the afternoon of August 27th D5208 was at Chesterfield with an up fitted freight (4M84).

Noted at Nottingham shed on Sunday September 18th were D5208, D5261, D5262, D5282, D7534, D7539, D7540, D7548, D7574, D7593 & D7657.

D5208 visited Derby Works during November for a classified repair.

1967
On the early afternoon of July 13th D5151, D5208, D7525 & D7568 were stabled at Derby.

On November 18th a St. Pancras - Stockport railtour was worked between Knighton South Junction & Stoke-on-Trent by 5208. Steam locomotive had brought the tour from St Pancras, 43088 would take over at Stoke-on-Trent.

Condition November: green livery with frame level stripe, small yellow warning panels, curved upper corners, bottom of warning panel covers stripe.

1968
On January 10th D5208 worked the 17.45 St Pancras - St Albans.

1969
On December 22nd at about 7am 5208 was noted at Manchester Victoria with a service ex-Glasgow, taken over at Wigan North Western?

1970
On the afternoon of October 3rd 5206 & 5208 were southbound at Preston with a brakevan.

1971
On September 1st 5208 brought in the empty coaching stock for a Liverpool Lime Street - Manchester football special, 387 was the train locomotive, also on coaching stock duty at Lime Street this day was 5204.

1972
At about 7am on May 4th 5208 was noted passing Manchester Victoria with a down van train (4M03).

5208 & 7585 worked the 09.20 Manchester Piccadilly - Great Yarmouth to Lincoln on July 8th and returned from there with the 09.28 Yarmouth - Manchester Piccadilly.

At about 8.30pm on September 23rd 5208 was noted passing Lancaster with a down van train.

An undated Derby Locomotive Work snag sheet circa November 1972 included the following comments:
2nd stage to late
Traction Motors
AWS
Cooker
Route Indicator No.2
FDR
EFR to prove.

Photograph courtesy David Rogers
I don't recall now what goodies Christmas 1972 brought, but a shoebox full of views like these would certainly not go amiss now. 5208 & 206 stand at Crewe on December 16th 1972, not a snowflake in sight.

1973
5208 was on coaching stock duty at Liverpool Lime Street on February 22nd.

At about 6pm on August 30th 5208 was noted passing Ordsall Lane with an up freight (9T44).

5208 was on coaching stock duty at Liverpool Lime Street on October 22nd.

1974
Works visits included 25058 at Derby Works from June to August for a classified repair, including the fitting of dual brake equipment.

On November 20th 25058 (Longsight allocated) worked the 6B18 13.05 Exeter - Whimple and Chard Junction freight, returning with the 6B58 15.05 Whimple / 17.00 Chard Junction - Exeter freight.

A Nottingham - Lincoln mail was worked by 25058 on Christmas Eve.

1975
At about 7am on January 7th 25058 was at Manchester Victoria with an up freight (7M46). On January 18th & 19th 25058 was noted at Manchester Victoria with the 5D00.

On February 13th 25058 was noted at Manchester Victoria.

25058 was on empty coaching stock duty at Liverpool Lime Street on March 14th.

25058 worked the 13.24 Wigan North Western - Liverpool on April 8th.

A Killock Colliery - Longannet merry-go-round coal train was worked by 25058 & 20089 on July 1st, presumably the Class 25 was deputising for a failed Class 20.

1976
25058 was on empty coaching stock duty at Liverpool Lime Street on 11th & 14th.

Photograph collection of webmaster.
The returning Ironbridge - Stanlow empty oil tanks is noted at Madeley Junction on July 21st 1976 behind 25058 and an unidentified Class 25.

25058 was in trouble on July 27th at Colwyn Bay whilst working the 12.42 Manchester - Llandudno, barely making it to Llandudno Junction where 25148 took over, which also worked the 18.42 return.

At about 2pm on October 16th 24091, 25058, 25072 & 25112 were noted at Springs Branch.

25058 was under repair at Derby from November 1976 to January 1977.

1977

From November 1976 to January 1977 25058 was at Derby Works under repair. Seen here on January 8th 1977 surrounded by various parts and other locomotives familiar to Derby, the locomotive would soon be out on the road again.

About noon on February 26th 25058 was noted at Ditton with a goods train.

On the evening of August 20th 25058 was stabled at Bristol Bath Road.

1978
During a spell of really wintry weather 25058 failed on February 18th's 12.22 Crewe - Cardiff being rescued by 40177.

On the evening of March 15th 25058 was southbound at Skipton with the 6Z55, going at least as far as Holbeck Junction.

On April 29th the 16.00 Crewe - Cardiff failed at Donington behind 25058 (or maybe 25055), coming to the rescue was one of the few remaining Class 24's, 24047 which took the train as far as Hereford where 47358 was on hand to take the train forward.

During May 25058 were transferred to Laira.

On May 10th & 11th 25058 was noted at Exeter St Davids with the 4B10 15.55 Bristol -Plymouth parcels.

On May 13th 25058 worked a morning Barnstaple - Exeter service.

Observations at Plymouth on the evening of May 19th include:
25215 & 25224 18.05 St Blazey - Stoke clay
25058 15.52 Bristol - Plymouth vans
25223 & 25052 19.50 St Blazey - Carlisle goods.

Observations in the Plymouth / Exeter / Bristol area on May 27th include:
Laira 07.30 25058, 25080, 25206, 31232, 50024
50044 07.15 Exeter - Plymouth
31134 06.35 Plymouth - Old Oak vans
25048 07.15 Barnstaple - Exeter vans
Exeter depot 08.30 25225, 50036
50022 07.05 Worcester - Penzance motorail
47129 07.15 Oxford - Paignton
47043 07.55 Worcester - Paignton
Bristol Bath Road 09.50 25248, 25274
47086 08.50 Swansea - Paignton
47121 10.00 Barnstaple - Norwich SAGA
25048 11.57 Barnstaple - Exeter (most of the Barnstaple services this day were handled by Class 31s)
33064 & 33035 08.53 Brighton - Exeter
47452 15.15 Paignton - Oxley ECS
33113 15.55 Exeter - Waterloo
33115 13.00 Waterloo - Exeter and 17.55 return
47204 17.15 Newton Abbot - Cardiff Canton ECS
33209 15.00 Waterloo - Exeter and 19.55 to Basingstoke
47505 20.35 Newton Abbot - Stirling motorail
47167 & 50004 16.20 Penzance - Morden South /Paddington milk and vans
47437 19.35 Penzancez - Oxley ECS.

On June 1st 25058 worked the 7B70 15.00 Whimple - Exeter Riverside (two CovAB, one Vanfit and brakevan). It later worked the 2B44 19.30 Exeter St Davids - Paignton (nine coaches).

Observations at Exeter St Davids on June 3rd include:
50048 07.15 Exeter - Plymouth
Exeter depot 09.30 25080, 25154, 47252
47545 07.05 Worcester - Penzance motorail
25048 09.50 Exeter - Barnstaple
47072 07.15 Oxford - Paignton
33016 10.10 Exeter - Waterloo
47441 1M25 from Newton Abbot after 47050 failed
33009 06.30 Waterloo - Exeter and 11.00 Exeter - Waterloo
25058 10.00 Barnstaple - Exeter
33020 08.00 Waterloo - Exeter and 12.28 Exeter - Waterloo
47077 08.50 Swansea - Paignton
33017 09.00 Waterloo - Exeter and 14.28 Exeter - Waterloo
25048 11.57 Barnstaple - Exeter
33029 & 33045 08.53 Brighton - Exeter and 13.58 Exeter - Brighton
50038 11.30 Paddington - Penzance loco failed Exeter, replaced by 47252
25048 13.40 Exeter - Barnstaple
31158 & 31210 1V74 from Taunton after 45150 failed
47254 11.07 Penzance - Leeds relief
47077 14.02 Paignton - Swansea
33037 11.00 Waterloo - Exeter and 15.55 Exeter - Waterloo
33024 13.00 Waterloo - Exeter and 17.55 Exeter - Waterloo
25058 16.38 Exeter - Barnstaple
25048 15.52 Barnstaple - Exeter
47040 Newton Abbot - Cardiff Canton ECS
33030 15.00 Waterloo - Exeter and 19.55 Exeter - Basingstoke
25058 18.03 Barnstaple - Exeter
47545 16.00 Penzance - Worcester motorail
47048 20.35 Newton Abbot - Stirling motorail
47033 & 50015 16.20 Penzance - Morden South / Paddington milk and vans.

On June 10th 25058 worked the 2B99 13.40 Exeter St Davids - Barnstaple using the eight coach Exeter emergency standby train due to heavy passenger volumes because this was a free travel day for Senior Citizens. 25058 returned with the 2B99 15.52 Barnstaple - Exeter St Davids. After the train was emptied the stock was returned to the carriage sidings.

Observations at Exeter St Davids on June 10th include:
50048 07.15 Exeter - Plymouth
Exeter depot 09.30 25058, 25223, 47245
47499 07.05 Worcester - Penzance motorail
25058 09.50 Exeter - Barnstaple
33021 10.10 Exeter - Waterloo
33007 06.30 Waterloo - Exeter and 11.00 Exeter - Waterloo
25080 10.00 Barnstaple - Exeter
47009 08.25 Paddington - Plymouth relief
33018 08.00 Waterloo - Exeter and 12.28 Exeter - Waterloo
25080 11.51 Exeter - Barnstaple
33023 0.900 Waterloo - Exeter and 14.28 Exeter - Waterloo
47512 08.50 Swansea - Paignton and 14.02 Paignton - Swansea
25058 11.57 Barnstaple - Exeter
33039 & 33011 08.53 Brighton - Exeter and 13.55 Exeter - Brighton
33001 11.00 Waterloo - Exeter and 15.55 Exeter - Waterloo
47079 14.25 Paignton - Oxford
47103 10.58 Paddington - Penzance from ? after failure at Hungerford
25080 14.40 Barnstaple - Exeter relief
47055 12.35 Penzance - Swansea
47297 1M60 after 47198 failed at Goodrington
25080 16.38 Exeter - Barnstaple
33003 13.00 Waterloo - Exeter and 17.655 Exeter - Waterloo
25058 15.52 Barnstaple - Exeter
47009 17.35 Newton Abbot - Bristol relief
33032 15.00 Waterloo - Exeter and 19.55 Exeter - Basingstoke
25080 18.03 Barnstaple - Exeter
47366 18.10 Newton Abbot - Cardiff relief
33021 17.00 Waterloo - Exeter
25058 & 25080 21.00 Exeter - Newton Abbot.

On June 20th & 21st 25058 worked the 16.40 Plymouth - Paignton.

Observations at Exeter St Davids on June 24th include:
31163 06.35 Plymouth - Old Oak vans
50037 07.15 Exeter - Plymouth
Exeter depot 09.30 25057, 25080, 31210, 47070
33010 08.25 Barnstaple - Exeter
50030 07.05 Worcester - Penzance motorail
25058 09.50 Exeter - Barnstaple
47131 07.15 Oxford - Paignton and 14.25 Paignton - Oxford
33010 10.10 Exeter - Waterloo
47026 08.22 Cardiff - Penzance
33031 06.00 Waterloo - Exeter and 11.00 Exeter - Waterloo
25048 10.00 Barnstaple - Exeter
50037 07.45 Kensington - St Austell motorail
47534 08.25 Paddington - Barnstaple to Exeter, 25048 forward
33029 08.00 Waterloo - Exeter and 12.28 Exeter - Waterloo
47072 08.50 Swansea - Paignton
33009 09.00 Waterloo - Exeter and 14.28 Exeter - Waterloo
25058 11.57 Barnstaple - Exeter
33013 & 33054 08.53 Brighton - Exeter and 13.58 Exeter - Brighton
25058 13.40 Exeter - Barnstaple
47202 1V74 07.45 from Congleton
33032 11.00 Waterloo - Exeter and 15.55 Exeter - Waterloo
47266 12.45 St Austell - Crewe motorail
47245 12.12 Brookwood - Exeter troop special
25048 14.40 Barnstaple - Paddington to Exeter, 47534 forward
25048 16.38 Exeter - Barnstaple
47200 10.47 York - Newton Abbot motorail
47245 16.xx Exeter - Clapham ECS
33020 13.00 Waterloo - Exeter and 17.55 Exeter - Waterloo
25058 15.57 Barnstaple - Exeter
47497 13.30 Paddington - Penzance from ? after failure at Castle Cary
31145 16.05 Bristol - Plymouth vans
50032 14.48 Penzance - Paddington from Newton Abbot after 47532 failed
50037 16.15 St Austell - Kensington motorail
33007 15.00 Waterloo - Exeter and 19.55 Exeter - Basingstoke
47026 15.18 Penzance - Bristol
50030 16.00 Penzance - Worcester motorail
47030 18.20 Newton Abbot - Old Oak Common ECS
25048 18.03 Barnstaple - Exeter
33044 17.00 Waterloo - Exeter
47123 20.35 Newton Abbot - Stirling motorail
31210 21.00 Exeter - Newton Abbot
47274 16.20 Penzance - Morden South / Paddington milk & vans
47200 18.30 Paignton - Oxley ECS
33044 21.15 Exeter - Newton Abbot ECS.

On the morning of July 1st 25048 & 25058 were noted coupled together at Bristol Bath Road.

On July 2nd 25058 worked the 2B47 20.00 Newton Abbot - Exeter (four coaches).

On July 7th 25058 was noted westbound at Dawlish with a local passenger service, was noted at Exeter St Davids on July 8th with the 08.25 Paddington - Barnstaple and at Dawlish with a down local passenger service on July 9th.

On July 11th 25058 worked the 6B76 17.55 Exeter Central - Exeter Riverside (21 Presflos).

On July 12th 25058 worked the 2B35 17.30 Paignton - Exeter.

On July 13th 25058 worked the 7B70 17.00 Chard Junction - Exeter Riverside (eight Presflos, nine milk tanks, two CovAB and brakevan). It later worked the 2B44 19.30 Exeter St Davids - Paignton (nine coaches).

On July 14th 25048 worked the 7B70 17.00 Chard Junction - Exeter Riverside (six milk tanks, two CovAB and brake van). It later worked the 2B44 19.30 Exeter St Davids - Paignton (nine coaches) and was later stabled at Newton Abbot with 33044 & 50017.

On July 18th 25058 worked the 16.40 Plymouth - Paignton.

On the evening of July 19th 25058 was stabled at Newton Abbot.

On July 20th 25058 worked the 2B35 17.30 Paignton - Exeter St Davids and the 2B38 18.45 Exeter St Davids - Paignton (six coaches).

On July 22nd 25058 worked the 10.00 Barnstaple - Exeter St Davids, the 08.45 Paddington - Barnstaple from Exeter St Davids, the 14.40 Barnstaple - Paddington to Exeter St Davids, the 16.38 Exeter St Davids - Barnstaple, the 18.03 Barnstaple - Exeter St Davids and the 21.00 Exeter St Davids - Newton Abbot.

On the morning of July 27th 25058 was stabled at Newton Abbot.

At about 9.30am on August 26th 25057, 25058 & 25248 were stabled at Exeter shed.

On August 12th 25058 was stabled at St Blazey.

25058 was noted at Newton Abbot with a local passenger service on August 28th.

On September 2nd 25058 worked the 10.00 Barnstaple - Exeter St Davids?, the 08.25 Paddington - Barnstaple with 47096 was taken forward from Exeter St. Davids by 25155 & 25058, then 25058 alone with the 14.40 Barnstaple - Paddington to Exeter St Davids where 47096 took over (25155 would come back with the 18.00 Torrington - Exeter milk), the 16.40 Exeter St Davids - Barnstaple and the 18.03 Barnstaple - Exeter St Davids.

At about 1pm on September 17th 25058 was at Exeter stabling point.

On September 26th 25058 worked the 6B71 22.05 Exeter City Basin - Exeter Riverside (21 tanks).

On the afternoon of September 27th 25058 was noted at Penzance station with a inspection saloon and also seen at Redruth.

On the morning of October 21st 25058 was noted at Laira.

On the afternoon of October 22nd 25058 was noted at Laira.

On October 31st 25058 worked the 7B70 17.00 Chard Junction / Whimple - Exeter Riverside (7 milk tanks, 2 CovAB and brake van). It then worked the 2B44 19.30 Exeter St Davids - Paignton (nine coaches).

On November 2nd 25058 worked the 7B70 17.00 Chard Junction / Whimple - Exeter Riverside (12 milk tanks, 1 CovAB and brake van).

On the morning of November 25th 25069 & 25058 were stabled at Exeter shed.

On December 5th 25058 was booked to work the 2B44 19.30 Exeter St Davids - Paignton, but was failed due to fluctuating amps, 46009 substituted with an Exeter driver who did not know the traction, but with a Westbury conductor.

On the late evening of December 30th 50039 & 25058 were up light engines at Plymouth.

1979
On the morning of January 29th 25058 was noted at Exeter shed.

On February 6th 25058 worked the 6B76 17.55 Exeter Central - Exeter Riverside trip (18 Presflos).

On February 8th 25058 worked the 12.15 Barnstaple - Exeter St. Davids and the 14.10 Exeter St. Davids - Barnstaple.

On February 10th 25057 & 25058 worked the 17.45 Barnstaple - Exeter St.Davids.

On March 30th 25058 & 37267 worked the 19.50 St Blazey - Carlisle goods to?

On April 10th 25058 worked the 19.05 Truro - Plymouth Friary freight.

On April 14th 25058 was noted with empty coaching stock at Penzance.

On April 20th 25058 & 25225 worked the 18.05 Truro - Plymouth Friary freight followed by the 6V53.

Photograph courtesy Peter Lovell
25058 and about thirty of the clay hoods passes Tywardreath on April 26th 1979 working a Fowey - St Blazey empties.

On May 14th 25052 & 25058 worked the 19.50 St Blazey - Carlisle to??

Derby Works received 25058 for intermediate repair during June & July.

The evening Bradford - Didcot parcels was worked by 25058 on August 30th.

On September 13th 25058 was noted at Gloucester Horton Road. On September 15th 25052, 25057 & 25058 were all noted at Exeter St. Davids. On September 18th 46046 arrived at Exeter with a late afternoon Cardiff - Barnstaple charter. 25057 & 25058 worked the train forward jointly as the charter and also the 20.45 Exeter - Barnstaple.

At mid-day on October 27th 25058, 47056 & 50032 were noted at Long Rock.

On October 30th 25058 worked the 2B44 19.37 Exeter St Davids - Paignton (eight coaches).

On November 10th 25057 & 25058 worked the F&W 'Yorkie' Plymouth – York railtour throughout, for a total of 722 passenger miles.

25058 was noted at Laira depot on the afternoon of November 20th.

On the afternoon of December 1st 25058 & 25225 were noted at Exeter shed.

1980
On May 2nd 25058 worked the 2B44 19.37 Exeter St. Davids - Paignton (eight coaches). On May 3rd 25058 was noted light engine at Exeter St Davids. On Saturday May 17th 25058 worked the 09.50 Exeter St. Davids - Barnstaple and the 12.00 return to Exeter.

On May 24th 25058 worked the 2B34 17:25 Exeter St Davids - Paignton.

On Saturday June 7th 25058 worked the 08.23 Barnstaple - Waterloo to Exeter, the 09.50 Exeter St. Davids - Barnstaple, the 12.00 return to Exeter, the 13.45 Exeter St. Davids - Barnstaple, the 14.45 Barnstaple - Paddington to Exeter and the 15.52 Barnstaple - Paignton. On June 9th 25058 was noted at Newton Abbot with a passenger working. On June 14th 25058 worked the 13.45 Exeter St. Davids - Barnstaple. On June 18th 25058 worked the 09.34 Exeter St. Davids - Paignton. On June 19th 25058 worked the 18.58 Exeter St. Davids - Paignton and the 20.05 Paignton - Newton Abbot. On June 20th 25058 worked the 16.40 Paignton - Exeter St Davids. On June 22nd a Torrington - Plymouth excursion was worked by 25058 & 25206 to Exeter, then 50027 roundtrip to Plymouth and 33028 from Exeter back to Torrington. On June 24th 25058 worked the 19.55 Exeter St. Davids - Paignton.

On July 18th 25058 worked the 14.16 Exeter St. Davids - Paignton. On July 19th 25058 worked the 18.05 Barnstaple - Exeter St Davids and the 20.00 Exeter St. Davids - Paignton. 25058 was stabled at Newton Abbot on July 21st and at Exeter on July 24th.

On the evening of August 1st 25058 was eastbound at Dawlish with a mixed freight.

On Saturday August 2nd 25058 worked the 10.00 Barnstaple - Exeter St. Davids, the 09.48 Paddington - Barnstaple forward from Exeter St. Davids and the return 14.45 to Paddington as far as Exter St. Davids. 25058 was noted at Exeter St Davids yard on August 4th. On Saturday August 9th 25058 worked the 08.23 Barnstaple - Waterloo to Exeter St. Davids, the 09.50 Exeter St. Davids - Barnstaple and the 12.00 return, the 16.42 Exeter St. Davids - Barnstaple and the 18.05 return and the 20.00 Exeter St. Davids - Paignton. On August 12th 25058 worked the 14.16 Exeter St. Davids - Paignton. On August 20th 25058 was westbound at Dawlish Warren with a local passenger service. On August 25th 25058 worked the 14.16 Exeter St. Davids - Paignton. On August 27th 25058 worked the 11.04 Paignton - Exeter St. Davids. On August 29th 25058 worked the 16.40 Paignton - Exeter St. Davids. On August 30th 25058 worked the 08.23 Barnstaple - Waterloo as far as Exeter St. Davids.

On September 6th 25058 worked the 08.23 Barnstaple - Waterloo to Exeter St. Davids, returning with the 09.50 to Barnstaple and the return 12.00 to Exeter St. Davids. It then worked the 17.25 Exeter St. Davids - Paignton and the return 19.05 to Exeter.

25058 was transferred away from the Western Region to Bescot during October.

On the afternoon of October 28th 25058 and two freightliner flats were northbound at Watford Junction.

On November 13th 25058 worked the 17.10 Cardiff - Crewe.

On November 15th 25058 worked the 12.25 Crewe - Cardiff.

A glimpse at the TOPS report at mid-day on November 25th revealed 25058 was at Tinsley.

On December 12th 25058 worked the 19.30 Crewe - Cardiff.

On December 13th 25058 worked the 12.25 Crewe - Cardiff and the 17.10 Cardiff - Crewe.

On the morning of December 15th 25058 was noted at Nuneaton.

1981
A look at the TOPS information for late afternoon on January 15th found 25058 was on the 8J34 Aberystwyth - Coton Hill freight. On January 24th there were eight Class 25s stabled at Bescot, including 25058.

Class 25 observations between Birmingham and Derby on the afternoon of February 4th include:
Saltley: 25058, 25107, 25212
Saltley (passing): 25277 with a southbound goods
Etches Park: 25126 & 25156
Derby: 25282 with a northbound goods and 25182 with southbound tanks.

On April 23rd 25058 worked the 18.35 Birmingham - Norwich as far as Leicester, 31209 took the train forward. 25058 quickly returned to Birmingham covering for a failed diesel multiple unit.

25058 visited Derby Works during April for an N4 repair.

On May 2nd 25058 & 25214 were noted on the Birmingham New Street - Bridgnorth leg of a charter from Worthing, which had arrived at New Streeet behind 33056. Between May 4th & 9th 25058 covered four trips on Birmingham New Street - Norwich passengers workings, its return workings are not recorded, possibly parcels or other non-passenger movements. At this time these Birmingham - Norwich workings were the longest scheduled regular passenger workings for the Class 25s, a trip of 174 miles. In between these cross country workings it covered the 06.30 Peterborough - Kings Cross on 7th.

On June 1st 25058 was yet again covering a Birmingham - Norwich working. By June 28th it was on the other side of the country working the 14.44 Holyhead - Manchester Victoria throughout.

The Crewe - Cardiff services continued to be dominated by the Class 33s with few substitutions, however 25058 was noted on July 25th's 16.02 Crewe - Cardiff and 25221 on 27th's 17.10 Cardiff - Crewe.

25058 was noted at Bescot on the afternoon of August 20th.

On the summer dated Cambrian passenger workings so noted on August 22nd were 25058 & 25194 working the 10.10 Euston - Aberystwyth forward from Wolverhampton, returning with the 18.00 Aberystwyth - Wolverhampton.

On the morning of September 17th 25058 was light engine at Watford Junction and 25324 noted at Bletchley.

On September 25th the Bletchley - Bedford branch found 25058 towing a diesel multiple unit on the 09.10 service to Bedford and 10.00 return.

The 03.47 Willesden - Bescot freight running behind 25193 & 25058 became partially derailed at Bletchley on October 23rd. A burned off journal caused most of the train to derail, only the locomotives and some hundred ton oil tankers remained on the rails. AM10s 087 & 092 standing in the station sustained minor damage, luckily the fast lines remained open, though it would take three days to clear and repair the slow lines.

At noon on November 28th 25048, 25058 & 25193 were noted at Saltley.

On the morning of December 5th 25058 & 25027 were noted at Saltley.

December 29th found a Southport - Bewdley charter starting out with 25056 & 25219 changing to 25051 & 25058 somewhere in the West Midlands (Birmingham New Street?).

1982
25058 was stabled at Cockshute on February 6th. 25058 worked the Whitemoor - Bury St Edmunds goods on February 15th.

On March 16th 25058 was noted at Euston (parcels side). The first passenger run in 1982 for 25058 was on March 23rd covering for a failed diesel multiple unit on the 18.00 Birmingham - Derby. 25058 was noted at Brindley Heath (Cannock Chase line) on March 26th with an empty coal working and also noted this day light engine at Birminham New Street.

Photograph courtesy Jerry Glover
25058 & 25177 at Cockshute on February 6th 1982.

25058 was at Holbeck on April 21st.

On April 24th 25058 & 25084 took over a Norwich - Weston super Mare excursion forward from Birmingham New Street to Bristol Temple Meads.

25058 was noted at Euston on the parcels side on May 13th.

25151 & 25058 were noted passing Water Orton light engines on June 1st. 25058 was noted at Llandudno Junction on June 8th.

On August 20th 25058 was noted northbound at St Andrews Junction, Birmingham with a freight. On the summer dated Cambrian passenger workings, on August 21st 25058 & 25206 worked the 10.10 Euston - Aberystwyth from Birmingham New Street, returning with the 17.15 Aberystwyth - Shrewsbury. This same pair were active the next day on the 08.45 Birmingham - Aberystwyth forward from Shrewsbury, returning with the 18.15 to Euston as far as Wolverhampton. Whilst laying over at Aberystwyth they worked a round trip to Machynlleth.

On September 26th 25058 & 25157 worked the 13.45 Crewe - Cardiff throughout.

On December 30th 25058 & 25051 were northbound at Winwick Junction with bogie oil tankers.

1983
On January 29th 25058 was stabled at Nuneaton.

The 09.03 Cambridge - Birmingham New Street became a failure at Leicester with 37028 on February 12th, 25058 took over but it too failed at Nuneaton, 25136 assisted for the remainder of the journey. 25058 was stabled at Toton on February 19th.

On March 4th 25058 worked the 18.18 Birmingham - Norwich as far as March. On March 6th 25058 worked empty ballast wagons from March (ex-Leyton?) to Croft returning the next day (7th) with the 8E15 10:10 Croft to Leyton loaded ballast wagons. On March 15th 25058 worked a Cardiff - Crewe service.

On May 7th 25058 was noted at the Derby Locomotive Works arrival sidings with the No.2 cab missing a buffer and with a slight droop to the cab. From June to November 25058 was under repair at Derby Works for collision damage. A cab from 25058 was later noted dumped near the power station at Derby Locomotive Works.

Photographs courtesy Mark Bennett
Two views illustrating one of the unusual features of the Class 24/25s, the ability to remove the cab as a single component. Here one cab from 25058 has just been removed revealing all the assorted internal fittings attached to the bulkhead. The replacement cab came from 25050.

1984
25058 was noted light engine at Leighton Buzzard on January 6th. 25058 was stabled at Bletchley on January 14th.

25058 & 25209 handled a round trip Oldham - Llandudno Town excursion on May 12th.

On June 11th 25058 was northbound through Shrewsbury with a variety of empty ballast wagons. Several trips were made on the summer dated Cambrian passenger services. The first was 25058 & 25076 on June 23rd's 10.10 Euston - Aberystwyth from Wolverhampton and the return 17.05 Aberystwyth - Shrewsbury.

On July 5th 25058 & 25251 worked the late evening Tees - Bescot Speedlink. On July 27th 25058 & 31202 were noted at Tring with the 7O77 11.39 Tring Cutting - Southampton. On July 29th 25196/25201/25231/25283 were at Willesden depot whilst 25058, 25191, 25285 + 25249 were nearby on permanent way trains.

On the last day of the summer timetable for the Cambrian services, September 15th, 25034 & 25058 handled the 07.35 Euston - Aberystwyth forward from Wolverhampton, returning with the 14.00 to Shrewsbury. On this last trip the headboard 'Class 25s Cambrian Farewell' was fitted.

On November 4th three Class 25s were present at Severn Tunnel Jct, their booked workings being 25058 to Bescot, 25284 - Gloucester and 25322 - Mossend. Three days later 25058 came to the rescue of 45136 which had failed at Miles Platting whilst in charge of the 15.10 Bangor - Scarborough, the Type 2 taking the service as far as York.

Deputising for a diesel multiple unit 25058 worked the 07.34 Manchester Victoria - Liverpool Street on December 21st. On December 22nd 25058 worked a late night Liverpool - Preston parcels.

1985
The year was only five days old when 25058 filled in on a roundtrip Manchester Piccadilly - Sheffield passenger working, on the outward trip the Class 25 was replaced at Sheffield by another locomotive for the remainder of the journey to Hull, being used later in the day for a trip back across the Pennines with the 15.48 Sheffield - Manchester Piccadilly. On January 11th light engines 25058, 31165 & 31238 ran north through Oxford.

Two failures in February brought more haulage for 25058, rescuing 86252 on 9th between Stoke & Stafford, three days later (12th) assisting a Class 47 between Standedge Tunnel and Manchester Victoria. On a snowy February 14th 25058 was noted passing Beeston & Tarporley signal box with a lengthy parcels train.

25058 was stabled at Severn Tunnel Junction on March 14th and was noted on empty coaching stock duties at Manchester Piccadilly on March 17th.

Photograph courtesy Stephen Houlker
25058 finds 20113 & 25257 also present in front of Spring Branch depot, March 23rd 1985.

On April 15th 25058 was noted eastbound at Llandudno Junction with chemical tanks with barrier wagons and brakevans. Two days later on April 17th 25058 was noted at Maentrog Road with a nuclear flask train. On April 27th 25058 was a Ince Moss engineers siding with a short ballast train. On April 30th 25058 & 25212 were noted at West Cheshire Junction headed light towards the Wirral.

On May 1st & 2nd 25212 & 25058 were noted on the 6V32 Ellesmere Port - Severn Tunnel Junction bitumen tanks, in between these workings May 1st's 19.39 Crewe - Cardiff was handled. The following weekend on Saturday May 6th an LNER Railtours charter from Euston to Aberyswyth utilised 25058 & 25078 between Wolverhampton and the coast. This was expected to be the last occasion for a charter to have Class 25 haulage over this route. The good westbound run saw twenty-two minutes recovered, with a six minute early arrival at Aberystwyth. On the return run with a promise of a challenging ascent of Talerdigg, all was not well at Llanbrynmair when thick black smoke started issuing from 25058. This occurred at the foot of the climb, 25078 began the ascent, dropping to about 15mph, the locomotive began to slip severely with speed dropping to walking pace. With a stall imminent 25078 fortunately regained its feet and started to accelerate, cresting the summit in good order and reaching Shrewsbury without losing any more time. It is reported 25058 sustained some sort of damage to the crankshaft, a life-threatening failure for any Class 25 at this time, fortunately repairs were forthcoming.

Whatever had ailed 25058 on May 6th must have been quickly deal with as on the evening of May 28th 25058 was noted at Toton with a lengthy down freight.

25058 was noted on August 22nd's 09.20 Lancaster - Carlisle from Barrow assisting a failed multiple unit and on the same day noted at Tyne Yard with 25324. 25058 was noted at Edinburgh Waverley on August 24th and at Millerhill on August 25th. On August 26th 25058 was noted at Stoke on Trent.

25057 & 25058 worked a Blackpool - Edinburgh day excursion forward from Carstairs to Edinburgh on September 16th. 25058 was noted at Crewe with passenger stock on September 29th.

On October 2nd 25058 was noted at Chester. The 25057 & 25058 combination re-surfaced on October 9th taking an afternoon Liverpool - Scarborough forward from York, despite the ER's known aversion to these fine machines. Remarkably they returned with the 17.55 Scarborough - Liverpool working through out despite a lack of heat, arrival being thirteen minutes late at Lime Street. By the time the train reached Leeds word had reached the rail enthusiast community of this fine working, with BR gaining additional revenue as admirers joined the train for the slog across the Pennines.

October 22nd's sand train from Oakamoor hauled by 25058 & 25213 became derailed north of Stoke on Trent station. 25058 ended up overhanging a city street, kept from falling by its attachment to 25213! The errant locomotive was returned to the rails the following day.

Well, if Class 31s can make a break for it onto the North Circular at Cricklewood there should be no reason why Class 25s can't go awandering too. With thanks to Phill T for making this available.

Photograph courtesy Martin Bray.
One end of 25058 rests on timbers pending the arrival of a bogie following its adventures just north of Stoke on Trent station. Despite the continued steady withdrawal of Class 25s during 1985 somehow 25058 avoided withdrawal yet again.

Photographs courtesy Andrew Finney.
Two views of 25058 & 25213 taken the morning of the incident, October 22nd 1985.

25058 was noted inside Crewe Diesel depot on November 30th with its bogies removed and still displaying damage to the No.1 cabfront.

One final passenger working for 25058 during 1985 involved the rescue of 45136 on November 8th whilst working the 15.10 Bangor - Scarborough, the Class 25 assisting between Manchester Victoria & York.

25058 was stabled at Toton on December 2nd.

1986
On February 6th 25058 was noted at Stenson Junction on a Speedlink freight. 25058 was stabled at Warrington Arpley on the evening of February 20th.

On March 14th 25058 was stabled at Workington. On March 17th 25058 was noted light engine at Birkenhead Duke Street. On March 27th 25058 assisted a WCML service between Leighton Buzzard & Bletchley, making a reverse move due to an obstruction on the track. Class 25s stabled at Rugby on March 29th for permanent way work were 25034, 25035, 25037, 25058, 25192 & 25202.

Short trips in April for 25058 included April 12th's Preston - Manchester Victoria leg of the ex 18.15 Glasgow and April 15th's 07.40 Manchester Victoria - Bangor as far as Chester - a Class 47 taking over here. 25058 was noted at Chester depot on April 19th.

Photograph courtesy Kevin Hughes (RCTS Archives #HU01525).
A Divisional Manager's Saloon is hauled through Foxfield on April 16th 1986 by 25058.

25058 was stabled at Severn Tunnel Junction on April 24th and at Bescot on April 26th.

25058 was stabled at Tyseley on a very damp May 8th.

On June 12th 25058 was noted with an engineers train ay Whitchurch (Salop).

On July 28th 25058 was noted at Radlett with a short engineers train.

On August 4th 25058 was noted at Denbigh Hall Junction with a lengthy train of wagons. On August 7th 25058 worked an Aylesbury - Bletchley trip working. On August 17th 25058 & 25213 was stabled at Preston Dock Street sidings. 25058 was stabled at York Holgate on August 22nd. 37174 & 25058 were noted passing Preston southbound on August 28th with cement (?) tankers. 25058 was stabled at Motherwell on August 31st.

September 4th's 07.40 Glasgow - Carlisle was worked by 25058. On September 14th 25058 was noted at Birkenhead Docks with a short freight.

On October 17th 25058 was southbound at Warrington Bank Quay with a Speedlink. 25058 was stabled at Llandudno Junction on October 18th. 25058 was noted at Manchester Victoria on October 24th. 25059 & 25058 were noted stabled at Manchester Victoria on October 25th.

The remainder of 25058's 1986 passenger workings were short hauls, two between Preston and Manchester Victoria (October 27th & November 3rd), again taking forward the 18.20 ex-Glasgow. The final working for 1986 was assisting a Class 47 forward from Runcorn on a Liverpool - Crewe service on November 9th. On November 19th 25058 was noted at Aberystwyth with fuel oil tanks from Stanlow.

25058 was stabled at Crewe on December 6th. 25058 worked the 1P55 Preston - Barrow & 5J55 return on December 10th.

1987

On the afternoon of December 28th 1986 25058 was present at Downhill Carriage sidings, following the New Year 25058 was in the Warrington area. It worked January 5th's (?? date uncertain) 22.07 Derby - Crewe covering for a diesel multiple unit failure and was noted on the evening of 8th at Crewe.

Three days later 25058 was stopped at Carlisle for an 'A' exam, which was succesfully completed by the evening. Its return to service was greeted by very heavy snowfalls, the 13th's duties included the 6M80 16.45 Carlisle to Dumfries. When 47539 failed on January 16th's 13.55 Carlisle - Glasgow 25058 was available to take the train forward to Glasgow. Later that afternoon 25058 was noted at Corkerhill being prepared to work the 6Z49 to Warrington Bank Quay.

A week later (24th & 25th), 25058 was working local jobs in the Ayr/Kilmarnock region. By the 27th 25058 had reached Tyne Yard, being diagrammed to work the 6S81 21.55 Tyne Yard - Mossend. On 29th 25058 was handling local traffic in the Motherwell area before reaching Polmadie to work the 1M65 22.37 Glasgow Central - Nottingham as far as Carlisle. After working in the Carlisle area on January 30th & February 1st 25058 reached Crewe during the evening of February 2nd, was taken out of service and condemned the following day.

Photograph collection of webmaster
A fine portrait of 25058 at Crewe near the end of its career. The locomotive has gained the name 'Castell Criccieth', neatly painted on its side.

Distinguishing Features
No.2 cab front: center valencing missing: August 1982 - May 1983.
No.2 cab: driver's side corner, corner valencing has scuff/dent: February 1982 - May 1983.
No.2 cabfront: driver's side: rust spot/dent to left of electrification flash: March 1985 - October 1985.
(With thanks to Neil Cannon for making available the TOPS reports for 1987 & to Alan Baylis for his books on the 1984/85 Class 25 passenger workings and other resources).

Resources:
1970s Western Region information courtesy online notebooks of Sean Greenslade.

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Page added October 25th 2004.
Last updated March 6th 2024.

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