It was London Midland Region allocations for the whole of the twenty year one month career of D7544/25194, with a definate preference for the northern half of the Region.
Built: BR Derby Locomotive Works.
Dual brake equipped (July 1977).
Final exhaust roof panel: raised, square.
Time between last Classified repair and withdrawal: 94 months.
Time between withdrawal & scrapping: 106 months.
Allocations
D7544 was new to Nottingham Division (D16) on May 15th 1965. Further transfers were:
May 1968 to Longsight (9A).
June 1968 to Manchester Division (D09).
January 1971 to Birmingham Division (D02).
May 1971 to Preston Division (D10).
May 1973 to Kingmoor.
August 1973 to Springs Branch.
June 1974 to Longsight.
January 1980 to Bescot.
March 1983 to Crewe.
Withdrawn June 17th 1985.
Renumbered to February 23rd 1974.
25194 was the 249th Class 25 withdrawn, one of seven withdrawn during June 1985.
After withdrawal 25194 was stored at Shrewsbury Coton Hill yard from June 1985 until moved to Bescot on August 29th 1986. On March 28th 1994 25194 was moved by road to MC Metals Processing, Glasgow, and was scrapped there by the first week of May 1994.
Works Visits
Works visits (records incomplete).
Noted Crewe Works December 1969.
Noted Derby Works February 1970.
Noted Derby Works October & November 1972.
Noted Derby Works June - August 1977 (dual braking equipment fitted, full repaint).
Noted Derby Works November 1978.
Highlights
1965
Shortly after mid-day on April 28th D7544, D3069 & D8616 were southbound light engines at Rugby Midland, presumably headed for the diesel exhibition at Marylebone.
A diesel exhibition was held at Marylebone Goods Yard, April 30th – May 1st in conjunction with the 7th International Congress on Combustion Engines. Representing Sulzer were Type 4s D1678 & D1702, whilst D7544, fresh from Derby Works, represented the Type 2s. In the opening speech a BRB representative on technical matters forecast the end of steam on BR by the end of 1967.
On June 12th the 11.40 Derby St Marys - Glazebrook iron ore train was noted westbound at Buxworth with D7544 and 9F 92134.
1966
On February 24th Burton shed was host to 44 locomotives, 21 steam (all in service) and 23 diesels comprised of D9, D135, D143, D1650, D2384, D3572, D3586, D3778, D4150, D5202, D5212, D5293, D7509, D7511, D7514, D7532, D7533, D7536, D7538, D7542, D7544, D7567 & D7594.
On Sunday September 18th D5285, D5294, D7500, D7511, D7513, D7514, D7517, D7525, D7529, D7543, D7544, D7552, D7558, D7564 & D7658.
On the morning of November 19th D7536 & D7544 were on a down freight at Nuneaton.
1967
On the evening of July 12th D7553 & D7544 were southbound at Derby with a freight.
1969
On the morning of September 8th 8171, E26011 & 7544 were northbound light engines at Crewe.
1971
An Open Day on May 22nd at Carlisle Kingmoor diesel depot featured thirty three locomotives including four Type 2s, 5192, 5283, 7544 & 7554.
On October 9th 7544 was northbound through Preston with a mixed freight (6P23).
Condition October: two-tone green with full yellow ends.
1972
An undated Derby Locomotive Work snag sheet circa November 1972 included the following comments:
Spare fuses (125)
L Nats on fuse panel.
On December 1st 7544 made a test run from Derby Works.
The snag sheet for December 1st recorded:
| 7544; December 1st 1972; time 13.50 | |||||
| Load | Speed | Amps | Volts | Notes | Other |
| 1 | 27 | 950 | - | - | - | 2 | 36 | 950 | - | - | - | 3 | 41 | 950 | - | - | - | 4 | 48 | 950 | - | - | - | 5 | 61 | 1,000 | 810 | - | - | 6 | 69 | 1,000 | 810 | - | - |
| Load | Speed | Amps | Volts | Notes | Other |
| 1 | 27 | 950 | 810 | - | - | 2 | 34 | 950 | 810 | - | - | 3 | 40 | 1,000 | 800 | - | - | 4 | 46 | 1,000 | 795 | - | - | 5 | 58 | 1,050 | 775 | - | - | 6 | 64 | 1,050 | 775 | - | - |
Radiator levels
All windscreen wipers
No.3 cylinder cover rocker leak
No.1 B Head door seal at top
Both fuel gauges??
1973
On November 27th 7544 worked a Millerhill - Tyne freight, returning north the next morning with a Tyne - Millerhill freight.
1974
On August 3rd 25194 & 25192 worked the 09.19 Manchester Piccadilly - Yarmouth to Lincoln Central, returning with the 09.15 ex-Yarmouth.
On November 20th 25179 & 25194 worked the 7V61 09.50 Bescot - Exeter Riverside freight, at about 19.30pm they were noted heading for Exeter Riverside yard, to take up a northbound working?
1975
On March 9th 25194 was noted at Reddish depot.
25194 was on empty coaching stock duty at Manchester Piccadilly on July 26th. 25194 was the Manchester Victoria banker (T42) on July 30th.
On September 6th 25194 & 25150 worked the 09.19 Manchester Piccadilly - Yarmouth to Lincoln Central, returning with the 09.15 ex-Yarmouth.
1976
On August 6th 25194 & 25221 worked the 09.35 Euston - Aberystwyth forward from Shrewsbury, returning with the 16.10 Aberystwyth - Shrewsbury.
On August 28th 25194 & 25090 worked the 09.19 Manchester Piccadilly - Yarmouth to Lincoln Central, returning with the 09.15 ex-Yarmouth.
1977
The return leg of a Clacton - Nelson day excursion on March 5th was worked to Stockport by 25194.
On May 20th was southbound at Water Orton with a train load of coal from Daw Mill.
On July 30th 1977 the 10.05 Derby - St. Pancras with 47443 was piloted by 25194 to Leicester as a running-in turn ex-Derby Works.
On August 2nd ex-works 25194 was noted at Guide Bridge.
A damp August 18th saw 25194 at Crewe station with passenger stock.
And on September 3rd 25194 & 25269 worked the 09.19 Manchester Piccadilly - Yarmouth to Lincoln Central, returning with the 09.15 ex-Yarmouth.
On November 5th & 9th 25194 was the Manchester Victoria banker.
1978
On a wintry February 9th 25194 worked the Lawley Street - Beeston freightliner.
25194 was the Manchester Victoria pilot on March 27th.
25194 was noted eastbound at Penmaenmawr with a short freight on May 16th.
For a fifth year in a row during July, August or early September 25194 handled a Manchester Piccadilly - Yarmouth working to Lincoln Central and return, this year on July 8th with 25100.
On August 20th 25194 worked the 18.17 Crewe - Cardiff and the next day's (21st) 12.22 Crewe - Cardiff and the 17.10 Cardiff - Crewe.
The 11.11 Manchester Victoria - Holyhead was worked throughout by 25194 on August 25th 1978.
1979
On March 3rd & 4th 25194 was stabled at Reddish.
The maintenance dispute in late March/early April brought many strangers into South Wales including a number of Class 25s including 25184 & 25194 on April 12th as a light engine movement west of Cardiff.
On May 24th 25194 worked the 07.50 Cardiff - Crewe, the 12.25 Crewe - Cardiff and possibly the 17.10 Cardiff - Crewe (or 25289?).
On August 11th 25194 worked the 10.10 Stalybridge - Llandudno Town.
25194 was the Manchester Victoria banker on September 2nd.
1980
During July & August 25194 was a regular performer on the Cambrian line services to Aberystwyth. On July 19th 25194 & 25282 worked the 10.10 Euston - Aberystwyth from Birmingham New Street, returning with the 16.10 Aberystwyth - Shrewsbury. The next day (20th) the same pair worked the 08.45 Birmingham New Street - Aberystwyth from Shrewsbury, returning with the 18.10 Aberystwyth - Euston to Wolverhampton.
Three weeks later, on August 9th 25194 & 25053 worked the 04.10 Shrewsbury - Aberystwyth and the 10.07 Aberystwyth - Euston to Wolverhampton. The nexy day (10th) they handled the 08.45 Birmingham New Street - Aberystwyth and the 18.00 Aberystwyth - Euston to Wolverhampton. Finally on August 16th 25194 was back with 25282 and worked the same diagram as on July 19th 1980.
On August 20th 25194 was eastbound at Healey Mills with a short freight and was later noted southbound at Normanton.
1981
25194 was noted at Gateshead on January 29th.
On the morning of January 31st 25194 & 25198 were stabled at York.
On March 2nd the 07.10 Marylebone – Aylesbury diesel multiple unit suffered a serious fire in one vehicle just south of Rickmansworth. The heavily damaged vehicle was eventually shunted into the south sidings at Rickmansworth, which led to an unusual working to effect its recovery. The next day Bletchley sent out 25194 and brake van to Watford (Met), running round here since this could no longer be accomplished at Ricksmanworth. Unfortunately one set of points on the loop would not operate so the working was abandoned for the day. The following morning the maneuver was successfully carried out using 25243, this being the first working of a BR locomotive over the Watford branch since the mid 1960’s.
On March 19th 25194 was noted shunting Adderley Park goods yard, then in use as storage sidings.
A Bridgnorth - Worthing charter return leg on May 2nd was worked from Bewdley to Birmingham New Street by 25194 & 25058.
On June 13th 25194 & 25254 worked the 10.10 Euston - Aberystwyth from Birmingham New Street, returning with the 18.00 Aberystwyth - Wolverhampton.
On August 19th the 08.00 Walsall - Bournemouth with 25194 & 25173 was worked to Reading (assumed). 25194 was back on the Cambrian on August 22nd with 25058 working the 10.10 Euston - Aberystwyth from Birmingham New Street and the return 18.00 Aberystwyth - Wolverhampton.
On August 29th 25145 & 25194 were northbound at Stenson Jct with a train of oil tanks.
On September 12th 25194 & 25143 worked the 07.40 Euston - Aberystwyth from Wolverhampton and the return 16.05 Aberystwyth - Wolverhampton.
1982
On April 21st 25190 & 25194 were noted at Kingsbury with a loaded coal train.
On May 21st 1982 the 12.46 Portsmouth Harbour - Leeds was worked from Banbury to Birmingham New Street by 25194 after 73120 & 73135 failed.
Three more visits to the Cambrian line were made over summer. On June 26th 1982 25194 & 25235 worked the 10.10 Euston - Aberystwyth from Birmingham New Street, returning with the 16.05 Aberystwyth - Shrewsbury. The next day (27th) the same pair worked the 08.45 Birmingham New Street - Aberystwyth from Shrewsbury, the roundtrip 16.40 Aberystwyth - Machynlleth and 17.25 return, then heading east with the 18.15 Aberystwyth - Euston to Wolverhampton.
25194 was stabled at Saltley on July 20th.
Finally on September 18th 1982 it was the turn of 25194 & 25304 to work the 07.40 Euston - Aberystwyth from Wolverhampton and the 14.00 Aberystwyth - Shrewsbury.
1983
The 22.47 Crewe - Blackpool North was worked forward from Preston by 25194 on January 27th & 28th.
25194 was noted at Brierley Hill shunting a trip freight on February 15th.
On 25th March 25037 & 25194 were noted at Oakamoor awaiting the loading of wagons for the return working.
25194 was noted northbound at Wath Road Junction with a Speedlink freight on the late afternoon of April 7th.
On June 4th 25194 & 25305 worked the 10.10 Euston - Aberystwyth from Birmingham New Street and returned with the 17.15 Aberystwyth - Crewe. The next day (5th) the same pair worked a roundtrip Birmingham New Street - Rhyl day excursion.
25194 was noted at Bescot on July 11th. 25194 was stabled at Rugby station with three other Class 25s on July 17th.
Assistance was provided by 25194 & 25306 on August 14th to the 22.22 Stranraer Harbour - Euston between Rugby & Bletchley because the power was off for engineering work. 25194 was stabled at Warrington Arpley on August 20th.
The 16.55 Birmingham New Street - Norwich was worked to Leicester by 25194 on October 2nd and replaced here by 31321. On October 28th 25194 was noted passing Cricklewood with oil tanks.
The Wellingborough – Ripple Lane tanks, generally a Class 47 working featured 25194 on November 1st.
On Christmas Day 25194 was stabled at Warrington Arpley.
25191 & 25194 worked a Stanlow - Albion oil train on December 29th.
1984
On January 14th the power was off between Bletchley & Hemel Hempstead due to overhead line damage, during the morning 25194 assisted one service in each direction.
25194 was noted at Leicester on April 16th.
On May 10th 86216 failed working the 15.50 Liverpool - Euston, 25278 initially rescued the train, with 25194 & 31201 taking over the train from Nuneaton to Euston, still dragging 86216. The afternoon Fords Halewood – Dagenham car train and the return Barking - Fords Halewood, a booked Class 47 turn occasionally featured Class 25s, so noted on May 15th was 25194.
25194 was stabled at Allerton on June 22nd.
25194 & 25245 were noted with a freight southbound at Warrington Bank Quay on October 16th.
On the evening of November 24th 25048, 25194 & 25209 were stabled at Rugby station.
On December 8th & 9th 25194 was stabled at Severn Tunnel Junction. The 6S75 12.25 Severn Tunnel Junction - Mossend freight was noted passing Cwmbran behind 25194 on December 18th.
A post-Christmas working on December 28th saw 25194 work the 15.10 Bangor - Scarborough from Llandudno Junction to Chester.
1985
On January 7th 25194, 25182 & 47484 were noted passing Undy Yard with the 12.55 Severn Tunnel Junction - Mossend freight. Two days later on a snowy January 9th 25226 & 25194 worked the Ellesmere Port - Cranmore bitumen tanks. A Bristol – Manchester empty coaching stock working was noted on January 19th behind 25194 & 25213.
On March 20th 25194 worked the 18.20 Glasgow Central - Manchester Victoria forward from Preston.
Two diesel multiple unit failures during April 1985 required the assistance of 25194, on April 1st the 09.02 Morecambe - Leeds required assistance between Bare Lane & Carnforth. 25194 was noted at Carlisle station on April 9th. At an unknown date, believed to be in April the 18.24 Lancaster - Leeds diesel multiple unit was assisted by 25194 from Carnforth to Leeds. On April 12th 25194 was noted light engine at Lindal.
25194 was stabled at Chester on May 26th.
Another failure, this time on May 28th saw 25194 assist the 06.30 Chester - Euston from Ruabon to Wolverhampton after the Class 47 failed.
25194 was stabled at Bescot on June 8th.
25194 was withdrawn on June 17th 1985.
After withdrawal 25194 was used at Shrewsbury Coton Hill in an emergency services exercise during October 1985.
Distinguishing Features
No.1 cab front: center lampbracket missing, other fittings present: November 1977 until withdrawn.
No.1 cab front: center of cab below handrail - two areas of missing paint: July 1981 until withdrawn.
No.? cab side: fading paint revealed layers showing '25175' & '7525' through the paintwork, a cab swap at some point.
Not all known passenger workings are recorded on this page.
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flk 0622 (2)
Page added July 14th 2013.
Last updated May 10th 2023.
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