The twenty year career of D5234/25084 saw allocations to all regions apart from the Southern.
Built: BR Derby Locomotive Works.
Boiler equipped.
Angled strip at bottom of cab doors.
Final exhaust roof panel: flush.
Time between last Classified repair and withdrawal: 48 months.
Time between withdrawal & scrapping: 31 months.
Allocations
D5234 was new to Toton (16A) on December 14th 1963. Further transfers were:
December 1963 to Nottingham (16D).
April 1964 to Saltley (2E).
April 1966 to Birmingham Division (D02).
April 1966 to London Midland (Midland) Lines LMML.
March 1968 to Nottingham Division (D16).
May 1968 to London Midland (Midland) Lines LMML.
June 1968 to Nottingham Division (D16).
May 1973 to Toton.
September 1973 to Haymarket.
September 1973 to Eastfield.
October 1973 to Tinsley.
March 1975 to Cardiff.
August 1975 to Haymarket.
October 1980 to Kingmoor.
Withdrawn December 18th 1983.
Renumbered February 1974.
25084 was the 207th Class 25 withdrawn, one of six retired during December 1983.
After withdrawal 25084 was stored at Carlisle Kingmoor until June 1984, it then moved to Newton Heath until February 19th 1985 when 25084/86, 25270 were moved from to Swindon Works for scrapping. 25084 was scrapped during the first week of July 1986.
On February 19th 1985 25084/86, 25270 were moved from Newton Heath to Swindon Works for scrapping. 25084 was scrapped during the first week of July 1986.
Works Visits
Works visits (records incomplete).
Noted Derby Works May 1965.
Noted Derby Works August 1967.
Noted Crewe Works March 1971.
Noted Derby Works May & June 1975.
Noted Glasgow Works October - December 1979 (Intermediate repair - Paint Date November 24th 1979).
Noted Glasgow Works January 1980 (N4 repairs, rectification?)
Highlights
1963
D5233 - D5237 were constructed at Derby during the last quarter of 1963, all being released to traffic during December to Toton (16A). This batch of locomotives were the first to be delivered featuring the re-styled body work and two tone green livery similar to that carried by the Brush Type 4s (class 47s). The redesign principally affected two areas; the cab and the location of the air intakes. The gangway doors fitted to the earlier examples were rarely used, their presence certainly added to the complaints of noise and draughts in the cabs. The removal of the air filters to the cantrail was the result of a comparison carried out at Inverness between a batch of Derby built Type 2s and a batch of BRCW Type 2s, the tests targeting the air quality within the engine room.
The tests revealed the location of the grilles on the Derby designed build allowed for much more debris to reach the filters (especially the lower ones), clogging them quicker, leading to decreased air quality within the engine compartment, and so potentially affecting performance and engine wear. With over two hundred Class 25s still on the order books the redesign of these areas would result in a cost savings in the long run, in addition to a better working environment within the cabs, and providing less cluttered look to the locomotive's exterior.
One unique feature of these machines was their being equipped with steam heating equipment, all the following Class 25s would be without boilers.
D5234 & D5235 were sent out on their test runs to Corby on December 4th 1963. D5234's stay at Toton was brief, during December it moved to Nottingham (16D).
1964
D5234 moved to Saltley (2E) during April. At this time much of the freight on the Derby - Birmingham line was still steam hauled, these transfers would allow for further driver training on the new diesels over this route and also the Birmingham - Leicester line. On May 16th D5234 hauled the 08.06 Newcastle - Birmingham (noted at Sheffield).
On July 5th stabled at Toton were D5184, D5185, D5234, D5243, D5244, D5245, D5247, D5249, D5251, D5257, D5262, D5263, D5268, D5277, D5279, D5280 & D5281.
On Sunday September 13th D5183, D5218, D5231 & D5234 were stabled at Holbeck.
1966
After two years at Saltley D5234 was reallocated to the Midland Lines (ML) during April.
1967
On the morning of May 23rd D5234 was at Stoke on Trent with a down parcels.
During the summer months Derby Works received D5234 for repair.
On the morning of September 13th D5234 was at Leeds with the 06.50 Birmingham - Leeds (1N31).
On the afternoon of November 12th D5234 was at Kings Norton with a permanent way train.
On Boxing Day D5284 & D7546 were the Manchester Victoria pilots.
1968
On February 11th D5234 worked the 20.20 Birmingham New Street - Peterborough? (PO).
1969
On April 2nd a Melton Mowbray - Slough excursion was worked by 5234 & 7510.
On August 18th 5234 was noted at Birmingham New Street with the 15.28 to Yarmouth.
On the evening of August 27th 5234 was at Derby with an Up freight.
1970
On July 11th 5234 worked the 1E83 08.55 Leicester - Great Yarmouth (two-tone green livery, small yellow ends).
1971
Crewe commenced receiving Class 25's for heavy repairs during January, with 5234 and 7669 being new arrivals. Class 25's overhauled & repainted at Crewe were usually easily recognised by the position of the number, similar to that of Glasgow it was situated behind the cab door on the bodyside, though usually placed higher up than one shopped by Glasgow.
On July 10th the roundtrip Nottingham - Llandudno service was workled by 7564 and 5234, both locomotives were in two-tone green.
December 18th found 5234 on front line duty hauling the 1N31 Poole - Newcastle, noted 25 minutes late at Darlington.
1972
Freight trains noted at Luton on August 22nd include:
1719 4S32
79 3D48
7567 6C29
5216 & 122 6E55
7664 & 7663 8V21
5266 & 7620 8M41
5268 & 5234 8F50
1867 6V66
1827 6E37
101 3D25
1949 6E49
5215 0O36
6569 6M54.
Freight trains noted at Luton on August 23rd include:
7663 northbound
71 9T27
1987 6O81
136 4M16
36 5C17
7523 8C48
71 6M43
5266 & 7520 8O16
5268 & 5234 8F40
1859 6M63
120 5P49
120 8F20
117 8C25
7566 0Z90
7523 9C29
95 3C48
71 8L91
7523 9C29
1885 6V66
51 8V21
70 8F50
1853 5C33
130 8M41
1987 6E97
7566 8C32
101 3D25
7663 0O36
1809 6O62
1620 6Z39
5234 & 5268 northbound
6589 6M54.
A trip from Luton to Derby for a visit to the Locomotive Works Open Day on August 26th includes the following observations:
Luton: 5243
Bedford: 3859, 4139
Wellingborough: 35, 3863, 3864
Kettering: 57, 5277
Leicester: 10, 43, 38, 73, 85, 102, 118, 130, 1860, 1989, 3776, 3862, 3866, 5233, 5235
Derby Tech Center, London Road curve, station area (morning): 18, 21, 27, 33, 47, 67, 91, 95, 98, 104, 169, 177, 151, 160,
1755, 1769, 1942, 1960, 2130, 2387, 3082, 3186, 3351, 3569, 3572, 3577, 3771, 3792, 5232, 5241, 5270, 5282,
5567, 5570, 5618, 5626, 6869, 7615, 7639, 8047, 8072, 8156
Derby Tech Center, London Road curve, station area (afternoon): 14, 22, 26, 56, 58, 63, 68, 79, 90, 101, 109, 110, 117, 133, 139, 173,
1579, 1583, 1588, 1727, 1732, 1738, 5234, 5236, 5242, 5250, 5276, 5279, 5280, 5281, 5618, 6750, 7610, 8197
Leicester: 52, 73, 102, 5224, 5233, 5235, 5243, 5248, 5267, 5284, 7561
Market Harborough: 1860
Wellingborough: 99, 130, 5241, 7614, 7615, 7649
Bedford: 52, 83, 3859, 4139
Luton: 7523, 6590 6M54.
On August 26th 5279 & 5234 (both two-tone green) worked the 1D30 Nottingham - Llandudno Town, being note at Abergele.
Freight trains noted at Luton on August 31st include:
5215 9C29
86 6Z40
48 8C59
1866 6E56
1692 4S32
130 3C48
1886 6V66
1904 8V21
48 8F50
41 8M41
5215 0C29
99 6Z39
117 3D25
7663 s/b oil
7566 0C16
7647 & 5234 8012
6568 6M54.
1973
On January 13th 5186 & 5237 and 5641 & 5234 were noted working Leicester - Finsbury Park (for Highbury) F A cup tie specials.
On August 4th a roundtrip Derby - Skegness service was worked by 5280 & 5234. This working used the infamous LMR maroon set of coaches, which by this time were only used on excursions and summer Saturday workings. On April 7th the set had been used on a roundtrip Burton-on-Trent - St Pancras 'Theatre Special', possibly the last time a full maroon set would reach London? The maroon set saw further use on June 17th working a roundtrip Wellingborough - Bangor charter and on June 19th on a roundtrip Wellingborough - York charter. It was also used on a Derby - Skegness roundtrip on July 7th with Class 20s 8111 & 8172.
After almost ten years allocated to London Midland depots 5234 moved to Haymarket, then to Eastfield during September. The stay here was brief, by October 5234 had moved to Tinsley.
On the afternoon of October 8th 5234 was stabled at York.
On the afternoon of October 22nd 5234 was shunting wagons at York.
1974
Although 5233 - 5237 were oddities in terms of their bodystyling & being boiler equipped, this technical difference did not affect the issuing of TOPS numbers for them, they were numbered in order with the remainder of the Class.
On the afternoon of March 11th 25084 was light engine at Skelton (York).
On the afternoon of April 11th 25084 was light engine at York.
On the morning of June 25th 25084 was stabled at York.
1975
During March 25084 was allocated to Cardiff.
25084 was noted in Derby Works for repair during May & June. After release from Derby Works its return to the Cardiff area was brief, during July it transferred to Haymarket.
1976
On June 10th 25084 worked the 1C96 21.40 Edinburgh - Carstairs.
1977
On January 14th 25084 came to the rescue of 86251 working the 1M37 12.35 Edinburgh - Manchester. The Class 86 stalled near mp70, the Class 25 pushing the train into Abington loop, where fitters were able to revive the electric enough for it to continue south.
On the evening of March 26th 24036, 24073, 24091, 24133, 25084, 25153, 25190, 25193 & 25291 were stabled at Crewe diesel depot.
On April 8th (Good Friday) the 1S51 07.18 York - Aberdeen began its journey behind 40059, being replaced at Edinburgh by 25044 & 25084.
December 29th found 25084 coming to the rescue of a Class 47 on the 08.45 Aberdeen - Kings Cross after its partial failure at Stonehaven. The Type 2 was removed at Dundee as it was vacuum braked only, limiting speed to 50 mph.
1978
On May 8th & 12th 25084 worked the 1C96 21.40 Edinburgh - Carstairs.
On the afternoon of November 11th stabled at Haymarket were 25013, 25034, 25035, 25046, 25066, 25068 & 25084.
1979
On July 16th & 17th 25084 was noted at Haymarket depot.
25084 was noted receiving an Intermediate repair at Glasgow Works between October & December, the Paint Date on the cab front was November 24th 1979.
1980
On January 23rd 25084 was noted northbound through Inverkeithing with a short rake of empty ballast hoppers, probably bound for the quarry at Clatchard Craig near Newburgh.
On September 9th 25084 worked the 07.05 Perth - Edinburgh.
25084 was noted at Aberdeen on September 20th. 25084 was noted at Perth on September 26th with a Dundee - Glasgow passenger.
After five years on the Scottish Region 25084 received its last transfer, to Carlisle Kingmoor during October.
1981
Engineering work at the south end of the WCML led to diesel substitutions, on March 1st 25085 covered one brief working between Stonebridge Park and Euston whilst the 20.45 Barrow - Euston was worked forward from Bletchley by 25084 on 3rd and 25085 on 8th. 25084 was the Manchester Victoria pilot on March 28th.
On April 12th 25084 was stabled at Tinsley. April 25th found 81017 on fire at Canley Halt working a 07.56 Coventry York special. 25084 arrived from Coventry to propel the train to Birmingham International where 86237 took over.
On the morning of April 14th 25084, 25160 & 25242 were noted at Etches Park.
On April 30th 25084 was stabled at Nuneaton.
At lunchtime on June 1st 25084 & 25085 were noted at Crewe with a down freight. On the afternoon of June 2nd 25084 was noted at Warrington with up sand empties. On June 16th 25084 & 25062 were noted at Warrington with a Leekbrook Junction - St Helens sand train. 25084 was noted at Ribblehead with a loaded ballast train on June 29th.
At 20.10pm on August 27th 25084 was noted arriving at Holbeck off the M06 job.
1982
The 18.15 Birmingham - Norwich on February 17th was diagrammed for 25084, by Washwood Heath the Class 25 was losing power, 31216 was added here for the run to Leicester.
On the evening of April 10th 25084 was stabled at Saltley.
About lunchtime on April 16th 25042 & 25084 were noted passing Leamington Spa with loaded ballast hoppers, half of the wagons were reversed into Avenue sidings, the remainder headed south, the locomotives returned light northbound during the early afternoon. On April 24th 25058 & 25084 took over a Norwich Weston Super Mare excursion from Birmingham New Street. On April 30th 25084 & 25186 were stabled alongside Eastleigh station.
By May 2nd 25084, now attached to 25221 worked out and back from Wolverhampton to Aberystwyth, with a charter that had originated at Euston.
On the afternoon of May 28th 25207 & 25084 were noted at Severn Tunnel Junction.
On the afternoon of June 1st 25084 was stabled at Severn Tunnel Junction.
On the evening of June 2nd 25084 was stabled at Gloucester.
25084 took over the 02.10 Manchester Piccadilly - Cleethorpes at Sheffield on June 17th, returning with the 08.26 to Doncaster. On June 21st 25084 traversed the Settle - Carlisle route with the 16.05 Leeds - Carlisle. On June 24th 25084 worked the 11.05 Glasgow Central - Carlisle via Kilmarnock.
25084 was recorded north of the border again during the latter part of July working Glasgow - Carlisle services on 19th, 21st & 23rd. On July 24th 25084 worked the 08.40 Carlisle - Glasgow Central.
On the morning of August 25th 25084 was stabled at York.
25084 was also working the GSW route in September handling a round trip each day on 9th, 15th & 17th. By October 1st it had migrated to the 16.05 Leeds - Carlisle.
It was a round trip over the Settle & Carlisle for 25084 on November 23rd working the 08.57 Leeds - Carlisle and 15.37 return. Four days later (Nov 27th) it was time for a thrash along the North Wales coast with 25084 working the 07.45 Manchester Victoria - Bangor.
1983
On March 20th 25084 was stabled at Warrington Arpley. On March 28th 25084 was noted at Skelton Junction with a mixed freight from the Warrington direction.
The Annesley Annabis railtour on April 2nd utilised 25048 & 25084 between Bescot and Annesley colliery.
On May 9th 25084 handled the 16.02 Leeds - Carlisle. On May 30th 25084 was stabled at Skipton station.
25084 was noted passing Copy Pit with an eastbound ballast working on a wet June 11th.
25084 had been active in Scotland during July, being noted on passenger workings between Carlisle & Glasgow on 15th, 18th, 19th & 22nd, completing almost seven hundred miles of passenger mileage.
40085 & 25084 worked the Widnes - Hope cement empties on August 12th.
September 18th found Severn Tunnel Junction depot using two Class 25s on local workings, 25199 on the morning local to Hereford and 25084 to Gloucester. On September 20th 25084 was busy between Blackpool & Manchester Victoria working three services. These may have been the last passenger services hauled by 25084.
25084 was noted at Lancaster on October 4th and at Preston on October 8th.
25084 was noted passing Greenfield light engine on November 23rd.
25084 was withdrawn on December 18th 1983.
Distinguishing Features
No.1 cab valencing: damage to valencing above driver's side buffer: March 1981 until withdrawn.
00/00
flk 0817
Page added September 20th 2001.
Page updated September 2nd 2025.
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