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This page is meant to complement the original Derby Works page created on this website, in that the original page now focuses on the period of the 1970's/1980's - essentially when I most visited the Works and for which many other photographers have supplied material. The material on this page represents a walk through the years at Derby during its diesel days, though obviously with a bias to the post-Modernisation years! This is most definately a work-in-progress so please bear with me as new material is added, old material is rescanned and the captions updated.
1973
A surprise arrival on February 19th at the Works for attention was 4472 Flying Scotsman. The locomotive had run under its own power from Edge Hill after spending four years in America. The works was also receiving more Class 40's for repair, 235 & 242 so noted early in March, also present were 8063, 8123, 8135 & 8315 whilst 5391 had come south from the Scottish Region. Also noted next to the Works opposite the station were withdrawn shunters 3034/92/94 & 3100. During April Derby Works started to release overhauled Class 45's with the new five digit TOPS numbering. This numbering had so far only been applied to the LMR AC & DC electric classes. The Class 45's were the first of the diesels to be renumbered, and unlike most of the classes, their renumbering would be random. 45101/102/103 (old identities were 96, 51, 116!) were the first examples seen, the Class 45/1's were now equipped with electric train heating equipment, the old steam heating boilers being removed whilst in the Works. At this time there were approximately sixty diesels on the Works. Early build Class 08 3009 was in the erecting shop as was the numerically interesting 4000. Joining 5391 in the Works was the first of the class 5347, whilst in the Works sidings was Clayton 8598. Derby finally released D5391 during June under its new guise of 27119. By June 27th it was in service on the Glasgow - Edinburgh push-pull service, initially with several fitters on board to monitor the the new electric train heating equipment. The shunters stored opposite the station had now started to enter the Works for overhaul, having been sold for export to a Liberian company. Apart from the Class 27 & 45's no other classes had been renumbered so far whilst in the Works. 45690 Leander was set for running-in trials in the last week of June. 4472 Flying Scotsman left the Works during July, it was given a send-off by then BR chairman Richard Marsh and for a fee of 10p the public could visit the locomotive on the Saturday prior to its departure the next day. In the Works at the beginning of August were almost sixty diesel locomotives either for repair or withdrawn. 5349 was still present and the only Class 40 in the Works was 307. Steam locomotive 45690 Leander received LMS red livery prior to moving to Dinting by the end of the month. Sometime in August 3051 was cut up after being a source of spares for the LAMCO shunters. September saw Derby outshopping other classes with the new five digit numbers, so noted were 08617 (3784), 24041 (5041), 25208 (7558) & 25282 (7632). If it had been thought that the Workshops would be the only source of renumbering for the fleet it was patently obvious that this would take a great deal of time so it would be left up to the depots to assist with the renumbering process and get the fleet renumbered as quickly as possible.
The modifications to the Class 08 shunters destined for Liberia included: In mid-November there were about sixty diesel locomotives at the Works, including 5349 & 8598 and shunters 3092/94/98 & 3100 bound for Liberia. The cabs from withdrawn Inverness Type 2 5114 had been sent down from Glasgow for reuse by Derby, at least one would be fitted to 5055. The increased number of Class 08's in for repair suggested that Derby was taking over some work from Swindon. Class 40's noted were 293 & 40107, the latter would be the first Class 40 renumbered at Derby. For awhile the repair of the Class 20's & 40's would cease at Derby. Also disappearing at this time was 3034 to the scrappers at Derby.
1974 The four shunters destined for Liberia left the Works in mid-April, their journey was not a success, being turned around at Rotherham and returned to Derby for further attention. They were later shipped from Middlesborough Docks by the MV Avafors during May. There were about fifty diesels in the Works during April along with steam locomotives 47327/357, 47445, 47564 & 73129, the latter was awaiting repainting. 24110 was a stranger in the Works, normally Glasgow would handle repairs for the Gateshead based machines.
By the middle of May the Works was host to Claytons S18521 & 8598, also present was 44001 and Class 24's 5030/79 & 24033.
During June the Works continued through its steady diet of Classes 08, 25 & 45/46. The volume of repairs to the Class 24's had been decreasing, noted were 24054/84. Withdrawn locomotives on the Works were 3020 & 3047. By early August there were only three Class 24's in the Works, 24061/84 & 24142. D3003 had been recieved for a general repair, this Class 08 had been sold to Foster Yeoman, Merehead a year previously. The only un-renumbered locomotives in the Works were the two withdrawn Class 08's and about ten Class 45's. Visitors to the Works could not help but notice the occasional visits by the Research Department's fleet of secondhand locomotives. Frequent visitors were Claytons 8598 & S18521, Baby Deltic 5901, MetroVick S15705 and other short term loaned locomotives that would briefly visit the Research Department. During August Class 35's 7076 & 7096 arrived whilst Warship 832 had been parked on the diesel stabling point for a while.
Other locomotives on display at the Works Open Day included 46011, restored Jinty 3Fs No. 47357 & 16440 and BR Standard 4-6-0 5MT 73129 awaiting repair after its rescue from Barry. At the end of August 3047 had received attention, most noticeable were its extended buffers, similar to the shunters recently shipped to Liberia. Class 20's returned to the Works in October with the arrival 20008. The number of Class 24's present increased with 24026/30/32/87. The paint shop was occupied by 25303 whilst freshly painted outside was Jinty 16440 (formerly 47357).
1975 By the end of February Derby held only two Class 24's 24034 & 24064. The only withdrawn locomotive on the Works was 3020, although for a long time the fate of 125 hung in the balance. it had been seriously damaged in a rear end collision at Bridgwater. Another recent steam locomotive arrival at the Works was 1F 0-6-0 1708 from the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, at 95 years of age it was must have been one of the oldest objects then in the Works. The Works was quite full during April with at least fifty five locomotives present during the middle of the month. 95, 118, 125 & 3020 were the only un-renumbered locomotives present, Class 24's in for repair were 24022/39/40/47/57/89, time was now short for this class, the summer would see a massive reduction of the Class 24 fleet. 3020 was the only withdrawn locomotive on the Works, sometime during the month it was scrapped here, the earliest numbered of the Class 08's to be cut up here. A visit in May found thirty Class 08's on the Works which included early build 08005 and Southern Region allocated 09024. Class 24's under repair were 24036 & 24133.
By the middle of June 125 was the last un-renumbered locomotive in the Works. The volume in the Works still remained at a high level, Class 24's under repair were 24023/35/36/81/91.
During August Derby released freshly painted 24023 back into traffic at a time when large portions of this Class were being stored or withdrawn on the LMR & ScR. Other Class 24's on the Works were 24035/52/54/83. The only withdrawn locomotive on the Works was 08179 which had sustained collision damage after being run into by 84005 at Stafford. Class 44 No. 44004 was received at the Works for its last Classified repair. Visitors to the 29th annual Works Open Day on August 30th, entrance fee 10p, found almost sixty diesel locomotives either under repair or withdrawn. 24052 was in the paint shop whilst 24086 was the only Class 24 present. After quite an absence a Class 20 was in the Works with 20029 receiving repairs. Locomotives with collision damage included 25045 & 25064. In the yard was steam locomotive 46203 Princess Margaret Rose, whilst on display by the Works offices was 45075.
After the outshopping of 24086 the Works would handle no more classified Class 24 repairs although withdrawn 24042/45/48/61 would spend a short time dumped in the Works yard, being noted there during October. Two more Class 20's 20021/53 were received for repair, being lost somewhat amongst the thirty plus Class 08 shunters in the Works. Un-renumbered 125 was still receiving accident repairs. For quite a while the Works had avoided a build up of withdrawn locomotives, that was about to change as Derby would become host to quite a variety of retired machines.
November brought more withdrawn locomotives on to the Works, joining 08074 & 08179 was 08236. Withdrawn 24061 was chosen to replace Research locomotive 5901, the Class 24 awaiting Works attention. Two other Class 24's were in the Works yard, 24036 & 24050 presumably received for minor repairs. 20003 was the only Class 20 on the Works. The four withdrawn Class 24's; 24042/45/48/50 had received attention to the asbestos cladding contained within the locomotives, once this had been dealt with the Type 2's were sent down to Swindon for scrapping leaving Derby early on the morning of December 18th. During December 125 was finally renumbered 45071, the last locomotive on BR to be renumbered with the exception of the Class 52's. It had also received modified nose ends, the headcode panels being sheeted over and two headlights fitted.
1976
As mentioned above 25102 was the last Class 25 in two tone green livery, it was received at Derby late in March for an overhaul and would be outshopped in standard blue & yellow livery. During May the last Class 25 in green livery, 25043 would arrive at Derby for overhaul, it still carried the solid green livery with the white stripe at frame level. It too would return to traffic in blue & yellow livery. The departure of 45056 from Derby Works during May found all members of the Class 45 fleet now equipped with dual brakes. Recent arrivals in the Works were prototype HST power cars 43000 & 43001. A stranger from across the border was 27207, whilst elsewhere scattered about the Works were almost thirty Class 08 shunters. Three Jinties still remained in a dismantled state at the back of the Works; 47327, 47445 & 47592.
Whilst other Workshops across the network were receiving many locomotives for cutting up, Derby seemed only too happy to pass this work on to others, in the second week of June 24086 & 25015 made separate journeys to Doncaster (24086 departed Derby Works behind 25135 on June 8th) whilst a week later 08179 & 08236 were sent down to Swindon for cutting up. 20074 would also leave the Works for Toton & Glasgow. Withdrawn locomotives remaining at Derby were 08074 and 25045, soon to be joined by the first Class 44 to be retired, 44003.
By the end of July seventy locomotives were on the Works, four of them withdrawn. There were almost thirty Class 08's in the Works, followed by about twenty Class 45/46's and fifteen Class 25's, the remainder being Class 20's.
Following on from the modified nose panels on 45071 & 46049 Derby would continue to carry out this modification as the Class 45/46's passed through the Works, it was not immediately applied to every locomotive, 45055 being a recent example. It was not just all locomotive repairs at Derby, an export order was received from Kalmar Verkstads AB, Sweden for railway coach bogies. The bogies were for use under coaches destined for Kenya metre gauge lines, the design was a modified Mk II coach bogie.
By October there were three withdrawn Class 25's in the Works, 25030/45 & 25174, all with collision damage of some sort. Class 20's for repair were 20003/62/84/87. Two new classes of locomotives visited Derby Works during November. In the middle of the month Roumanian built Class 56 56005 was noted in the Works arrival sidings whilst at month-end 56003/10 were noted for rectification and commissioning work. In the middle of the month HST power car 43004 was receiving attention in the erecting shop. At the other end of the spectrum was the arrival in the Works of withdrawn 44001 on November 6th, it had failed on a Toton - Garston freight at Leigh on October 27th and withdrawn three days later. This of course was the first of the BR/Sulzer Type 4's to be built by Derby Work and now awaited stripping and scrapping, if there were any attempts at the preservation of this locomotive, they would prove unsuccessful. Elsewhere in the Works was the usual collection of locomotives, the number of collision damaged locomotives seemed to be growing, now with damaged 25061 & 25065 present. Christmas week at Derby found the Works well filled with about seventy locomotives awaiting repair or scrapping. No HST power cars were noted, but 56010 was still in the Works.
1977
Variety seemed to be the order of the day during March with members of seven different Classes present from 08/20/25/40/41/43/45/46 and bits from Class 44. The prototype power cars 43000/01 were present as was production variant 43030. There were no changes to the withdrawn locomotives on the Works.
At the beginning of April the Works was host to 40038/40, 40109/112, by this time withdrawn 40045 had been cut up. Fifteen Class 25's were present including three withdrawn examples, all accident damaged. The number of Class 08's was greatly reduced, just twelve were in the Works including withdrawn 08074.
Many of the Class 46's passing through the Works at this time would be receiving their last classified repairs, noted early in May were 46001/09/32/37/38/47/51, clearly there was a predominance of the Gateshead allocated examples at this time. During May 44010 sustained fire damage and was soon received by Derby Works for scrapping.
The locomotive order books opened up for Derby Works again for six electric power cars for use in the electric version of the Advanced Passenger Train. These power cars would be numbered 49001 - 49006. On June 22nd the first power car was delivered to the Railway Technical Center, Derby for evaluation & testing. The Class 45 fleet had remained intact up until July when 45067 was retired after sustaining collision damage near Ilkeston. In earlier years several heavily damaged Class 45's had been repaired at Derby, but now a surplus of aging locomotives, the new Class 56 fleet and the increasing fleet of High Speed Train sets meant withdrawals could be more easily tolerated by the operating departments. APT power car 49001 was released from Derby Works late in July, whilst 49002 was now recognisable in the Works. By early August there were just four Class 08's present: 08046, 08533, 08628 & 08695. Class 40's under repair were 40083, 40117/125/134/141/149/175/179. Eight withdrawn locomotives were present. Withdrawn 44010, which had been received by Derby Works was returned to Toton on August 16th. The 31st Annual Works Open Day took place on saturday September 10th, two steam locomotives present were Midland Railway 2-4-0 158A, freshly repainted by the Works apprentices and LSWR T9 4-4-0 120 sent up from Tyseley. In the display area were 25129 & 56031. The Open day programmes sold for 15p.
During October there were about seventy locomotives on the Works including the six APT power cars in various states of construction. Six withdrawn locomotives were in various states of dismemberment: 20062/79, 25030/45, 25174 & 45067. Two 'last of class' locomotives in the Works were 20228, 25327 & 45150. Alongside the aging Class 25's & 45's in the erecting shop were HST power cars 43008/09/11, the new order was coming. Class 40 pioneer 40122 (D200) was noted in the Works during November along with eight other members of the Class, at the same time there were about an equal number in Crewe Works under repair. There was still a great mix in the Works, APT power cars under construction were 49003 - 49005 whilst HST power cars present were 43014/15/20/21, shunter volume was still way down from recent months and would eventually cease as Swindon took over repairs to the Class 08/09's.
Another class to lose its first member was that of the Class 46's, 46005 was withdrawn during December and was noted at Derby during the middle of December. Other Class 46's present were 46006/09/12/16/31/36/38/53 and these were all to be found scattered through the Works yard. Construction had started on the last of the APT power cars, 49006.
1978
There were about sixty locomotives on the Works during February including seven withdrawn locomotives. There was only one Class 20 under repair, 20228 and one Class 40, 40128. Another likely first was the arrival of 43007 for repairs to collision damage sustained towards the rear of the power car. APT power cars present were 49004 - 49006. Withdrawn 44010 was moved from Toton to Derby Works on February 10th. By early March there were no Class 40's remaining at the Works and only one Class 20, 20143. Recently arrived 46005 had already been heavily stripped and by the end of the month had been completely broken up. Class 25's under repair totalled twelve, Class 45's under repair totalled sixteen and Class 46's totalled seven. There were no shunters under repair.
Just over forty locomotives were on the Works during May including eight withdrawn locomotives, one of which was the recently arrived 46024 which had been involved in a collision at Hereford. 49004 - 49006 were still in the Works in various states of construction. New arrivals for scrap at Derby during July was collision damaged 25295, whilst 25174 had recently been broken up and 44010 was partially dismantled. The next Class 44 arrival at Derby was 44005, arriving at Derby on the afternoon of July 31st behind a Class 45 - now only half the class remained in service. 44005 was quickly moved into the Works (see Open Day view below) for removal of components. The 32nd annual Open Day took place on August 5th 1978, the entrance fee being 15p. The seven views below illustrate some of the locomotives on the Works for the Open Day visitors.
Locomotives on the Works late in September was the expected mix of Classes 25/45/46 with HST power cars 43028/46/47/54/55/56/57/58/59 and APT power cars 49001/2/5/6. Fire damaged 46003 was now in the Works yard with a very dismal future. The list of withdrawn locomotives was reduced by one in October when 46024 was broken up. The end of the summer timetable saw a number of Class 25's withdrawn, these were the first to be taken out of service without any form of accident damage. And a glimpse into the future would show that many would end up at Derby and linger for a great while before being cut up. During November the content of the Works remained typical, 49001/02/06 were in the APT shop whilst there were eight HST power cars under repair, including 43002/03 receiving fresh coats of paint. With Crewe still busy constructing its lengthy order for HST powers, it was left to Derby to provide repairs to the fleet as they became due. At Christmas week there were about fifty locomotives in the Works including 49006 now painted and withdrawn locomotives 20062, 25030/45, 25295, 45067, 46003. Recently broken up was 20079 during November whilst 44005 was little more than a body shell at the scrapping area, the remains would not see the year out.
1979
44002 became the next Class 44 to be withdrawn, during February and was soon sent over to Derby Works. The engine from 44002 would be reconditioned and installed in to 44007. Classified repairs completed in February totalled nine including Generals to 25177/189/190/192 & 25245. Six locomotives were received for Classified in the same period.
March saw Classifieds completed on eight locomotives including Generals on 25123/163 & 45041. Ten locomotives were received for classified repair at the same time including 46031/52. The beginning of the month also saw 44009 withdrawn with generator problems leaving just three, 44004/07/08 in service. 44007 would visit the Works in March to receive the reconditioned engine from 44002. Withdrawn locomotives present during March included newly arrived 25165. No more locomotives had been cut up since 44005 late in 1979.
Early in April there were just over forty locomotives in the Works, nineteen were receiving Classified repairs, seventeen were in for unclassified attention and eight locomotives were awaiting scrapping. Awaiting entry to the Works was accident damaged 46036 which had received substantial cab damage at Maas Crossing whilst working a Cardiff - Newcastle express. Class 46's receiving Generals were 46001/17 whilst 46031/52 were in for Light classifieds. During May 45101/106 were received for a new category of repair - Heavy General. Eleven locomotives were outshopped during May having received Classified repairs including Generals to 25206/277/298, 45026 & 46001/17. Eight locomotives were received to take their places whilst authority had been received to repair 46036, whilst 25167 would received a Classified repair instead of more minor work. Six locomotives departed Derby Works having completed Classifieds in June, including Generals for 25167, 45073 & 45101. A like number of locomotives were received in June for Classified repairs including 46010 & 46039.
One would not normally associate together BREL Derby and the House Of Commons but discussion in the House did mention the chronic inability of British Rail to provide the services it advertised was partially reflected in the number of locomotives in the various BREL Workshops for unclassified repairs, in particular those received with accident damage. During July and August fifteen locomotives left the Works after Classified repairs, those that received Generals were 25101/158/168/198, 45002, 45106 & 46002/26/39. Thirteen locomotives were recieved for Classified repairs.
The Works Open Day on September 1st produced forty seven locomotives either on special display, under repair or waiting scrapping - details are as follows: Interestingly only a few of the locomotives in the deadlines were to receive Classified repairs, the vast majority were for casual repairs.
The situation was little changed at the end of September, eleven locomotives departed after receiving Classified repairs, those given Generals were 25169, 25279, 45006/09, 46010. Warship 832 was now in the Works yard and long withdrawn 25165 had been removed from the headshunt at Etches Park and moved into the scrapyard area. October arrivals totalled six locomotives for Classified repairs including 45150 & 46056, departures were six after receiving Classified repairs.
In the middle of November there were about forty locomotives on the Works. Withdrawn 44009 was now at the Works as was 44008 which had been received for power unit repairs. Other withdrawn locomotives present were 25030, 25295, 45067 & 46003. Outshopped during November after Classified repairs were six locomotives including 25285, 45108 & 46027 which had received Generals. Christmas week found nineteen Class 25s on the Works, ten Class 45/0s, eight Class 45/1s and four Class 46s: 46036/44/56 were receiving Light repairs whilst 46028 was recieving a General repair. Refurbishing of the Class 45/1s was taking place with particular attention being paid to the power unit. BRs rolling stock records reveal that at the end of 1979 many locomotives had missed scheduled repair dates. Those that could be expected to be handled by Derby included:
44008 due an Intermediate in October 1977 This list assumes that Glasgow would handle the Scottish Region allocated Class 25s, of which several were overdue for shopping. It also might have been a prequesite in determining the withdrawal of locomotives in Classes that had a limited future. Classified repairs completed during December totalled five, with Generals received by 25196, 25249, 45056 & 46016. Six HST power cars were in the Works for overhaul.
1980 Approximately forty locomotives were on the Works in early February, including withdrawn 25030, 25295, 44009, 45067 & 46003. 44008 was still in the Works for power unit repairs. 45104 & 45107 were present for Heavy Generals. Classifieds completed in February were eight including Generals for 45010, 45107 & 46028. Five locomotives were received for Classified repairs. Present were ten HST powers cars on the Works including early builds 43002 - 43007, whilst APT power cars 49004/05/06 were in the shunter shop.
The ability of BREL's workshops to keep the locomotive fleets in service received some help when Swindon Works started to receive locomotives for casual repair that were not normally received here. Class 31's that would have been dealt with by Doncaster and Class 25's that would have gone to Derby were now being sent south to Swindon. Reports also indicated that forty locomotives were at BREL workshops that had been out of service for at least ninety days, four of these were held at Derby and were 25042, 25113, 25177 & 44008. Released from Derby in March after Classified repairs were seven locomotives with Generals given to 25302, 45013 & 45104, five locomotive were received in exchange. Eight HST power cars were in the Works. Released during March after Classified repairs were two machines, with 45012 receiving a General. Five locomotives were recieved for Classified repairs. HST's under repair totalled eight including 43014 - 43019, APT power cars 49002/04 were in the shunter shop. 46003 was broken up in March, with 25030 following in April. Classified locomotives outshopped in April were few. Thirty locomotives were at the Works early in May, sixteen of which were to receive Classified repairs. Withdrawn locomotives were 25295, 44009 & 45067. Classified repairs completed in May were nine, considerably up from the few in April. Generals provided were 25201, 25309, 45025, 45112 & 46008, recieved in were ten locomotives. Swindon took in more work that would have been bound for Derby including repairs to 45023 & 45053 as well as more Class 25's and the arrival of three withdrawn Class 25's to provide spares. After almost three years dumped at Derby the remains of 45067 were broken up during June, just leaving 25295 & 44009 withdrawn on the Works, however with serious inroads starting to be made in the Class 25 fleet the deadlines at Derby would soon begin to fill up. Outshopped in June after Classified repairs were eight locomotives including 25265, 25303, 45113 & 45114. Five locomotives were received in for Classifieds.
An attempt to reduce locomotive repairs at BREL workshops commenced by extending intervals between scheduled repairs. Further cutback were expected as certain depots started to carry out light repairs, work that was previously done by the main Workshops. Classified locomotives outshopped in July totalled four, with Generals for 25205, 45016 & 45117. Only two locomotives were received for Classified repairs. 44009 was broken up in July, leaving just one withdrawn locomotive on the Works - 25295. Withdrawals in July & August now affected the Class 45 & 46 fleets, the Class 46's would tend to migrate to Swindon and the Class 45's to Derby. Sent out from Derby in August after Classified repairs were four locomotives with Generals carried out on 45017 & 46014 - ironically sisters 46012/13 had just been withdrawn. Five locomotives were received for scheduled repairs.
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The Derby Works Open Day took place on September 6th and present at the Works were:
Outshopped after Classifieds in September were five locomotives, all having received Generals: 25251, 45004/20/42 & 45115, received were just two locomotives. The General being given to 45020 had now taken ninety days, but the locomotive were finally be returned to traffic by the end of September. Five locomotives were released during October after completion of Classified repairs, receiving Generals were 45014, 45102 & 45118. Seven locomotives entered the Work, 25278 & 46011 were two of them, these would eventually become the last of their types to receive Classified overhauls at Derby. Joining 25295 in the withdrawn ranks were 25092 & 45047. Nineteen of the locomotives on Works in the last week of October were awaiting unclassified repairs. Eight HST powers cars were under repair at this time including 43036 - 43039 whilst 49005 was in the shunter shop. In late November there were less than thirty locomotives on the Works of which nine were receiving Classified repairs, including 25278 the last Class 25 to be given such a repair at Derby. Only two Class 46's were on the Works, 46004 & 46011 both being given a Light repair. Four locomotives were outshopped in November, 45110 received the only General. Four locomotives were received four Classified, all were Class 45's. 25137 was the latest withdrawn locomotive to arrive at the Works. Six HST power cars were present as were APT cars 49003/05. On the last day of November the remaining three Class 44's: 44004/07/08 were taken out of service, 44007 would eventually reach Derby for scrapping, the other two would end up in preservation. On December 2nd under its own power 44007 ran light engine to Derby Works for stripping and scrapping. Christmas 1980 presented a gloomy picture at Derby with only twenty four locomotives (excluding HST power cars) under repair, and of these only eight were Classifieds and two of these were the last of their Type for the Class 25's & 46's. Outshopped in December were 45059 & 45077, both with Light Classifieds Six HST power cars were in the Works as well as prototype 975813. APT power cars present were 49003/05.
1981
In March only 45127 was released after a Heavy General overhaul, whilst 45120/132/136 were received. Derby's workload for 1981 was thirteen Heavy General Repairs for Class 45/1's. Unfortunately at the end of 1980 Derby had not met their quota of twenty four, thus by March 1981 they were in arrears by six Class 45/1's. In the middle of March the Works held just eighteen locomotives, all were Class 45's. The recent huge inroads made into the Class 25 fleet had seen some of these withdrawn locomotives reach Derby. Present at this time were 25043/092, 25295, 44007, 45030 & 46053. Early in April several Class 25's were noted in the Works for casual repairs, this would be an occurrence at Derby until the very end of the Class 25's, in some cases locomotives received for minor repairs would be found to have more serious work required, which would be outside of the cost estimates, this would then lead to withdrawal! But these machines would provide valuable spares to keep more fortunate members running a little while longer. Received for N4 repairs in April were 25054 & 25058. Eight Class 45's were in the Works, all were Class 45/1's apart from 45038 receiving a General. The number of withdrawn locomotives in the Works almost equalled the number under repair, not a good sign. Withdrawn locomotives were 25043/92/94, 25217/295, 44007, 45030, 46053 with bits of 40042 still recogniseable. Ten HST power cars were on the Works as were APT power cars 49001/03/05. During May 45111 was outshopped after a Heavy General whilst 45148 was received for a Classified repair. The remnants of recently cut up 45030 were still visible in the scrapyard area.
Thirteen locomotives were under repair early in June, 25036, 25178, 25250 & 25311 for casual repair, the rest were Class 45/1's except for 45005 in for a Light repair. Eight HST power cars were under repair including early builds 43004 & 43005. 45130 was the only locomotive outshopped from Derby during July, having received a Heavy General. Arrivals at Derby in July were withdrawn 45011/25/31/35 from Tinsley, all were retired in May. Class 25's present at the end of the month for casual repair were 25044, 25136, 25202, 25312 & 25316, the latter with substantial collision damage to one cab. Classified repairs completed during August was 45130, whilst 45121 & 45145 were received for repairs. However the number of HST power cars in for repair had increased with fourteen examples in the Works, along with APT power cars 49003/05. September's output was little better than that of August with only 45133 released after a Heavy General, and 45137 & 45140 received for Classifieds. A surprise arrival in October was withdrawn 25216 sent up from Swindon Works. Equally suprising was the approval given to repair collision damaged 25316, noted in the erecting shop in October. Recently scrapped were 45011 & 45031. Outshopped in October was 45135 whilst 45143 was received. Ten HST power cars were present, as was APT power car 49005. Late in November the Works could must no more than ten locomotives under repair, four of which were Class 25's in four casual repair. However the scrapyard had been busy having taken care of 44007, 45025 & 45035. Locomotives awaiting scrapping were 25092/94, 25216/17/67 with collision damaged 25148 in the Works arrival sidings. Nine HST power cars were in the Works along with two APT power cars. Information released at this time suggested that a number of Class 45/1 overhauls might be transferred away to Crewe during 1982. Outshopped in December were 45137/40/43/45 after completion of Heavy Generals. No locomotives were received, Derby having completed its current contract for Class 45/1 Heavy overhauls. Elsewhere in the Works were 45003/41/43/58/60 receiving casual repairs. The recent reinstatement of many Class 46's back into service would no doubt provide Derby with some work. Nine HST power cars were in the Works as well as the two prototypes in the yard. In the scrapyard work had commenced on breaking up 25217.
1982 By February 25072, 27003/21 & 27203 had been received from the Scottish Region for power unit repairs. Withdrawn locomotives present were 25038/66/92/94, 25216/271/299, 45073, 46040, with 25217 now completely cut up and work was starting on 25267. Ten HST power cars were on the Works, as were the two prototypes and APT power cars 49004/05.
During March Crewe Works received the first of its order of Class 45/1's for a Heavy General: 45146. Meanwhile back at Derby an increase in casual repairs had boosted the locomotives in the Works to almost twenty with another nine awaiting scrapping. Also sent down from Scotland was withdrawn 27011, presumably as a parts source. Another Class 46 accepted for repairs was 46045.
By April the withdrawn locomotive situation at Derby was growing, now present were 25038/66/85/92/94, 25129/184, 25216/261/262/271/272/299, 25308, 27011, 45073 & 46040. Of these locomotives 46040 was soon moved into the cutting up area and would be broken up by month end. Repairs would be sanctioned for 25262 & 25308.
Also during April announcements were made to close Horwich & Shildon Works as well as substantially reduce the workload at Swindon beginning in 1983. The necessary changes to shift these workloads did not impact Derby Locomotive Works at all, which clearly did not bode well.
Arrivals in May for cutting were 25105, 25274 & 40075. In the latter half of the month present for repairs were 25184, 25262, 25308/325, 27041, 45075, 45120/135. Of the Class 25's 25184/262/308 had previously been stored unserviceable, whilst 25325 and 45135 had sustained collision damage. 25094 was the latest locomotive to be cut up followed by 25299 whilst a surprise arrival was 40075. Seven Class 25's received repairs during July. Late June and the first half of July proved to be a time of challenge for the railways as the NUR and then ASLEF went on strike. By mid-August there were about thirty five locomotives on the Works of which twenty were awaiting scrap. Newly arrived withdrawn locomotives included 40132 & 40140, whilst waiting in the arrival sidings were 27014 & 27104, just sent down from Scotland. Locomotive recently cut up were 25092 & 25272. September 4th was the date for the 36th Annual Horticultural Show and Open Day at Derby Locomotive Works, admission was 50p. 25036 was one of the locomotives on display in front of the office block. Also on the Works receiving repair was the first production HST power car, 43002.
Fourteen locomotives were present for repair in the middle of September and as such it provided a little variety. Class 25's under repair were 25036/51, 25175, 25247; Class 27's 27014/41/42, 27104; Class 45's 45063/72, 45103/107/108/145. Stored unserviceable was 45037, awaiting next year's funding for a Heavy General. Also just arrived in the Works arrival sidings were six Class 25's for minor repairs and withdrawn 40163. Eighteen locomotives were under repair at the beginning of October including the numerically similar 27014, 27041 & 27104. Ten HST power cars were under repair, whilst prototypes 975812/13 were in the yard. APT power cars 49001/004 were also present.
Withdrawn locomotives present in November were 25066/85, 25105/129/150/170, 25216/220/261/274/290, 25312, 40018/75, 40132/140/163, with 45073 partially dismantled in the scrapyard area. At year's end the following locomotives were under repair: 25033/35/76, 25200/212/247/297, 27014, 27104, 45014/63, 45109 & 46046. 45037 had just completed its General leaving 27014 as the only locomotive in the Works receiving a Classified Intermediate repair. In the scrapyard 45073 was finally broken up after a long time spent in the cutting area.
1983 The previously announced plans to close Horwich & Shildon Works which had been put on hold, were revived in February and now included those at Temple Mills. Early in February there were just eleven locomotives receiving casual repairs, with 45049 and 27014 with the only Classifieds, progress on several of the locomotives appeared to be very slow. Twenty locomotives were awaiting scrapping. 45049 left Derby in March after completion of its General repair.
Broken up in April was 25170.
During May ten locomotives were under repair, all casuals except the ever present 27014 with its Intermediate - it was now in the paint shop. Recently arrived were collision damaged 25050 & 45045, both would be withdrawn. 25085 was broken up in May with 25261 next in line.
In the view above in front of the locomotive is one of many specialised bits of equipment that could be found in the Workshops. This item is a portable vacuum exhauster and vacuum chamber, which would be plugged into the mains (110 volts in this case) and connected to a locomotive. A vacuum would be created (21" of mercury) so that brake system checks and tests could be carried out without the need to run the engine. Should a leak be recorded one tried and tested method of locating it would be the use of a paraffin lamp and watch where the fumes get sucked in! Air system testing was far easier, a suitably adapted compressed airline was connected to the main air reservoir pipe on the locomotive buffer beam, to 'blow' the locomotive up before testing. A list of readings needed to be achieved, depending on the position of the brake handle. And of course the meter reading on the test equipment had to agree with what was showing on the cab gauges. Two arrivals late in June from Crewe were 25314 & 25319, both intended to be converted to ETHEL units for the Scottish Region. In reality only 25314 was converted, after receiving remedial work at Derby.
Regular Classified repairs recommenced at Derby with authority received to restart Light repairs on the Class 45's, the first called were 45044 & 45105. Approximately fifteen locomotives were receiving repairs during the middle of June, including Scottish long stayers 27014 & 27104. In the scrapyard work had started on cutting up 25261, however a dispute halted this work and no further locomotive would be cut up here by BREL staff. The partially dismembered 25261 would remain in this state until December 1985 when Vic Berry was called in to finish the job.
Late in July there were fifteen locomotives under repair including withdrawn 25314 prior to its movement to Aberdeen for conversion to an ETHEL. During August 27014 finally left the Works after completion of its Intermediate repair. 45006 was received for a Classified.
Outshopped after Classified repairs in October were 45044 & 45105 whilst received was 45150 was received for a Heavy General. Locomotives under repair were 25034/64, 25181/182, 25208/218/283/298, 25320, 45002/06/16, 45105/108/124/132/134/136/150. Twenty six withdrawn locomotives were scattered about the Works. Early in November there were nineteen locomotives under repair, 45150 was receiving a Heavy General, the remainder were casual repairs, ten of which were Class 25's, three Class 45/0's and five Class 45/1's.
By year's end two more Classified had been completed at Derby, 45044 having received an Intermediate and 45006 a Light, whilst received in the Works for a Classified was 45069. Present at year's end were 25034/49/51/78, 25176, 25206/218/235, 45051/077 & 45132 receiving casual repairs whilst 45069 was receiving an Intermediate and 45150 a Heavy General. there were twenty seven withdrawn locomotives scattered about the Works of which the greater majority were Class 25's.
Page added October 22nd 2007
Derby Works 1947 - 1973
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