The nineteen year six month career of D7569/25219 included allocations to London Midland, Eastern & Western Region depots.
Built: BR Derby Locomotive Works.
Boiler equipped.
Royal Train cabling modification (cab front access panel).
Time between last Classified repair and withdrawal: 86 months.
Time between withdrawal & scrapping: 46 months.
Allocations
D7569 was new to Cricklewood West (14B) on October 12th 1963. Further transfers were:
October 1964 to Derby (16C).
December 1964 to Cricklewood West (14B).
January 1965 to London Midland (Midland) Lines LMML.
August 1967 to Holbeck (55A) on loan, made permanent August 1967.
March 1968 to London Midland (Midland) Lines LMML.
April 1968 to Allerton (8J).
May 1968 to Stoke Division (D05).
November 1968 to Liverpool Division (D08).
May 1970 to Manchester Division (D09).
January 1972 to Bristol (82A).
May 1972 to Cardiff (86A).
October 1974 to Laira.
May 1975 to Bristol.
November 1975 to Cardiff.
November 1977 to Crewe.
March 1983 to unserviceable store.
Withdrawn April 6th 1983.
Renumbered May 1974.
25219 was the 172nd Class 25 to be withdrawn, one of six retired during April 1983.
After withdrawal 25219 was stored at Cricklewood until moved (with 25075, 25306 & 25326) to Acton on May 8th 1985, then to Swindon on May 14th 1985 and into the Works the next day. By the end of February 1987 it had been scrapped.
Works Visits
Works visits (records incomplete).
Noted Crewe Works May 1966.
Noted Derby Works October 1966.
Noted Derby Works October 1967.
Noted Derby Works September 1968.
Noted Derby Works February 1972 (full repaint).
Noted Derby Works January & February 1976.
Highlights
1963
D7569 was the second of the Class 25/2's coming from a batch of ten (D7568 - D7577) delivered from Derby Works commencing September, with D7569 delivered to Cricklewood West (14B). In order to accomodate the redesign of the Class 25 bodyshell Derby had transferred the last batch of its Class 25/1's (D5223 - D5232) to Darlington, with Derby using the older style body shell for these first ten Class 25/2's before revealing the new cleaner style in the shape of D5233.
D7569 made its Corby test run on September 25th 1963.
During October Saltley borrowed D5390 (and later 5389/94) from Leicester and brand new D7569 for crew training. The BRCW's were used for the Washwood Heath - Whitemoor freights, previously D5403 had been loaned to March for crew training for these workings.
1965
On May 10th the 16.57 Irlam - Liverpool Central was worked by D7569. On June 19th the 08.02 Bradford Exchange - Skegness was worked to at least Leeds by 7569.
1967
During August Toton's boiler equipped D7568 - 7573 were sent to Leeds Holbeck (55A) in exchange for D7627 - 7632, these being used to replace steam on the Leeds - Bradford workings.
An Open Day at Leeds Holbeck on September 30th, no doubt celebrating the twilight of steam in the area, especially the few remaining Jubilees, found the following Sulzer Type 2's on 'display': D5096, 5100/73/79, 5254/90, 7526/48/68-70/95 & 7625.
D7569 was noted at Derby Works during October.
1968
On the evening of January 24th D7569 was noted at Manchester Exchange with the Wigan - Leeds vans.
On the evening of February 23rd D7569 was noted at Manchester Exchange with the Wigan - Leeds vans.
On the evening of March 4th D7569 was noted at Manchester Victoria with the Wigan - Leeds vans.
After nine months at Holbeck D7569 transferred to the London Midland (Midland) Lines during March, to Allerton (8J) in April, to the Stoke Division (D05) in May and then to the Liverpool Division (D08) in November.
Unusual visitors to Severn Tunnel Junction shed were 6512 and 7569 during December. At this time the Class 25's were not generally found west of Gloucester, the Class 33's were familiar visitors to the Exeter & Bristol areas of the WR, but not west of the Severn.
1970
7569 was transferred the the Manchester Division (D09) during May. The locomotive still retained plain green livery (no white stripes) with full yellow ends, the roof was still a light grey. Gangway doors were still in place, the 'D' prefix was also present.
On July 18th 7676 & 7569 were noted at Lancaster with the 15.00 Barrow - Manchester Victoria.
1971
At about 6pm on June 3rd 7569 was noted passing Manchester Exchange with a down freight train.
On August 13th 7569 was noted at Manchester Victoria on a down van train. On August 21st a Nelson - Edinburgh day excursion was worked by 7569 & 7577 (throughout, or replaced somewhere? if they ran throughout the passenger mileage would be 439 miles).
1972
On January 20th 7569 worked the 6B74 16.57 Hemyock - Exeter milk (seven tanks). Its condition was green withh all yellow ends and at this time 7569 was allocated to Bristol.
The 20.10 Exeter St Davids - Newton Abbot was worked by 7569 on January 20th.
At about 8pm on January 21st there were three Class 25s in the vicinity of Exeter St Davids. 7569 was waiting to depart with the 20.10 Exeter St Davids - Newton Abbot. 7503 would arrive with the 6B67 19.05 Barnstaple Junction - Exeter vans (three vans) and the 6A17 15.05 Penzance - Paddington milk and perishables arrived with 7577 & 1062. 7577 would come off the train and retire to the stabling point. Services had been subject to disruption this day due to a strike of station staff and shunters in the Paddington area.
On January 24th 7569 worked the 6B74 16.57 Hemyock - Exeter milk.
On January 25th 7569 worked the 6B74 16.57 Hemyock - Exeter milk (eight tanks).
On January 27th 7569 worked the 6B74 16.57 Hemyock - Exeter milk (five tanks).
On February 1st 7569 worked the 6B74 16.57 Hemyock - Exeter milk (seven tanks), and also worked the 20.10 Exeter St Davids - Newton Abbot.
The 20.10 Exeter St Davids - Newton Abbot was worked by 7569 on February 4th.
7569 was noted at Derby Works during February.
During the 1970s transfers again reflected specific variants rather than block number manouevres. This was true of the Western Region transfers during the rundown of the diesel hydraulic fleet. 5179 - 5182 went to Ebbw Vale in 1970 to be tested in multiple on the 63 mile Port Talbot - Ebbw Vale iron ore trains, which included the six mile 1 in 80 gradient between Aberbeeg and Ebbw Vale, often requiring a restart at Aberbeeg. These services highlighted known weaknesses with the Class 25s traction motors especially when worked in multiple. The 25/1 & 25/2 subclasses had field weakening controlled by the engine governor and main generator field strength whilst the 25/3 subclass had speed induced field weakening. Should a trailing unit have improperly functioning field weakening it was possible for the motors to sustain major damage without the driver's knowledge. In addition the margin between the continuous and short time ratings for the motors was minimal. Remedies for this involved strict maintenance, driver education, avoiding mixing the 25/3 subclass with earlier machines or reducing trailing loads if that happened. As a result on these workings the 25/1 subclass had their maximum tonnage reduced from 930 tons to 810 tons. Tests using 7569 & 7676 in June and October 1972 specifically identified the sub-class variations as the main weakness. This was especially true in the field divert relays and their poor adjustment. Other areas of concern were faulty traction motor blowers, overly high engine governor settings, load regulator switches failing in the closed position, thus giving fluctuations and excessive current. On the similarly heavy Tunstead - Northwich limestone trains a heavy toll was taken on the traction motors.
1973
7569 worked the 17.10 Cardiff - Crewe on September 13th.
On December 21st 7569 was noted at Exeter stabling point.
1974
On the evening of October 11th 25219 was noted at Exeter stabling point.
1975
On March 8th 25219 worked the 6B27 16.30 Hemyock - Exeter milk (five tanks).
On March 10th 25219 worked the 6B70 16.57 Hemyock - Exeter milk (seven tanks). It later worked the 2B48 20.15 Exeter St Davids - Newton Abbot (nine coaches).
Easter Saturday, March 29th found 25219, 25274 & 25326 on Exeter stabling point.
On March 31st 25219 worked the 20.15 Exeter St. Davids - Newton Abbot (nine coaches), 25274 had been diagrammed for this working, but having brought the empty stock into the platform, it would not stay running.
On April 9th 25219 worked an evening Exeter St. Davids - Newton Abbot service.
On April 10th, 12th & 19th 25219 was noted at Exeter stabling point.
On April 22nd 25219 worked the 6B67 19.10 Barnstaple - Exeter vans (one van).
On April 25th & 26th 25219 was noted at Exeter stabling point.
On April 29th 25219 worked the 8B74 11.50 Exeter Riverside - Exmouth Junction freight.
On April 30th 25219 worked the 8B74 14.45 Exmouth Junction - Exeter Riverside freight.
Condition August: blue/yellow livery, gangway doors present, no blanking plates, hand/footholds plated over, straight sided sandboxes, three-rung bogie mounted footsteps.
On August 2nd 25219 worked the 2B99 12.20 Barnstaple - Exeter St. Davids. It was later noted with four milk tanks for Chard.
On August 5th 25219 worked the 7B73 13.05 Exeter Riverside - Chard Junction.
On August 9th 25219 worked the 2B99 15.58 Exeter St. Davids - Barnstaple and the 17.55 Barnstaple - Exeter St Davids.
On August 12th & 14th 25219 was noted at Exeter stabling point.
On September 26th 25219 was noted light engine at Exeter Riverside.
On September 30th & October 1st 25219 was stabled at Newton Abbot.
On October 2nd 25219 worked the 2B84 20.15 Exeter St Davids - Newton Abbot.
On October 6th 25219 was noted at Exeter stabling point.
On October 7th, 9th, 11th & 13th 25219 was noted on shed at Exeter.
On October 15th there was no Type 4 available at Exeter?? for the first Meldon trip, leading to 25219 & 25167 working the job.
On October 46020 failed at Taunton working the 09.50 Edinburgh - Plymouth, 47063 was removed from the 17.20 Plymouth - Bristol freight to take over the ailing passenger service, whilst 25153 & 25219 arrived from the west to take the freight train forward.
1976
On February 5th 25219 made a test run from Derby Works.
The snag sheet for February 5th recorded:
| 25219; February 5th 1976; 1C41 Nottingham | |||||
| Load | Speed | Amps | Volts | Notes | Other |
| 1 | 27 | 930 | - | - | - | 2 | 34 | 930 | - | - | - | 3 | 42 | 930 | - | - | - | 4 | 47 | 970 | - | - | - | 5 | 60 | - | - | - | _ | 6 | 66 | - | - | - | - |
No.1 cab driver's safety device slow to apply and pedal stiff
Header tank fuel valve leak
Radiators unbalanced B side low
Water pressure low
Vacuum brake application unbalanced
Nos.1 & 2 boxes
Engine Nos. 1 & 6 rocker seals
Governor top leak
B side crankcase door
Fuel getting on B side headplate? from gallery drains - investigate.
On March 5th the 16.30 Taunton - Cardiff and the 19.05 Cardiff - Bristol Temple Meads were worked by 25219. 25134 & 25219 were noted at Gloucester on March 21st, 25134 had been noted at Severn Tunnel Junction earlier.
On May 7th & 10th 25219 was noted at Exeter stabling point.
On June 6th the 14.20 Exeter St. Davids - Paignton and on June 8th an unidentified Exeter St. Davids - Paignton were worked by 25219.
On the afternoon of July 31st 25219 was stabled at Gloucester.
On August 20th 25219 was noted at Exeter with the 4B10 15.57 Bristol - Plymouth parcels.
On the afternoon of September 10th 25136 & 25219 were stabled at York.
On the morning of September 26th 25219 was noted at Severn Tunnel Junction depot.
1977
With 25219 being boiler equipped and allocated to Cardiff it soon found regular use on the Crewe - Cardiff services. It was noted on January 20th with the 07.50 Cardiff - Crewe.
On April 23rd 25219 was noted at Cardiff Canton with coaching stock.
During the summer months 25219 became a regular performer on the Crewe - Cardiff services, being noted on May 7th, 24th, 28th; June 4th, 6th, 8th, 22nd, 23rd; July 4th, 8th, 13th, 24th; August 1st & 8th.
On the morning of October 3rd & 10th 25219 was stabled at York.
Late in the year 25219 transferred to Crewe during November, this was its last transfer.
1978
On January 15th 25219 was noted at Rhyl with a ballast train.
25137 & 25219 were noted on a Kennett bound stone working on April 11th.
25219 continued with its frequent usage on the Crewe - Cardiff services during 1978. It was noted on these services on April 8th, whilst on May 30th 25219 expired on the 15.08 Cardiff - Crewe, with 37292 assisting at Hereford. By at least June 3rd it was back on the Crewe - Cardiff circuit and then June 10th, 29th, on this date it failed at en-route and was rescued by 37239; July 2nd, 15th.
On July 14th 1978 Prince Charles made a visit to Bangor from ? 25220 & 25221 were in charge of the train as it arrived at Bangor, whilst 25219 was used to shunt the stock at Bangor, the empty coaching stock later headed east.
25219 was noted on the Crewe - Cardiff services on August 18th & 22nd.
On August 30th 25219 & 25123 worked a roundtrip Leicester - Skegness. It would return to handle further Crewe - Cardiff services, being noted on September 9th and October 12th.
1979
On March 23rd 25219 worked the 12.20 Crewe - Cardiff.
On April 8th 25219 worked the 13.45 Crewe - Cardiff.
On May 8th 25219 worked the 11.30 Cardiff - Crewe.
On May 13th included in the fifty five locomotives at Cardiff Canton were 25219 & 25236. On May 22nd 25219 worked the 16.00 Cardiff - Bristol Temple Meads, the 16.08 Portsmouth Harbour - Cardiff from Bristol Temple Meads and the 21.40 Cardiff - Bristol Temple Meads.
25219 was again noted on the Crewe - Cardiff services, particularly during the last half of the year, being noted on May 30th (taking over from 46041 on this day's diagram). On the afternoon of June 24th 25219 was noted at Crewe with an up permanent way train. On June 25th 25219 failed on the 06.03 Crewe - Cardiff, being rescued by 37182, 37180 worked the next leg of the diagram and 25219 returned to take up the 15.08 Cardiff - Crewe; June 26th (replaced 25114), 28th (replaced 47061), 29th, 30th (replaced by 46006) & 30th (replaced 47335).
Crewe - Cardiff services were worked on July 2nd, August 2nd & 3rd, on which date 25219 failed on the 12.25 Crewe - Cardiff in the Hereford area, being rescued by 25216.
On August 31st the 17.35 Leeds - Bristol Temple Meads was hauled by 25219 (throughout?).
Further Crewe - Cardiff services were worked on September 14th, 15th; November 3rd & December 8th.
1980
25219 was back on the Crewe - Cardiff runs, being noted on January 20th's 13.45 Crewe - Cardiff and January 26th's 05.32 Cardiff - Crewe.
On March 1st the 10.00 Crewe - Cardiff failed at Pontypool behind 25219, the train was dragged forward by 37233. On March 6th 25219 worked the 05.35 Cardiff - Crewe.
On the afternoon of May 10th 25219 was stabled at Derby.
May 31st found 25219 & 25127 working the 08.02 Walsall - Yarmouth as far as Norwich, returning from there with the 14.15 Yarmouth - Derby. The next day (June 1st) the same pair worked a roundtrip Leicester - Skegness whilst on June 2nd they worked the 10.05 Derby - St. Pancras. At least by June 14th 25219 was back on the Crewe - Cardiff workings, handling three trips.
On the afternoon of June 2nd 25219 was noted at Cricklewood shunting coaching stock.
On August 11th & 12th 25219 was busy on the North Wales mainline: on the 11th it worked the 09.42 Llandudno Town - Manchester Victoria and the 13.40 Manchester Victoria - Llandudno Town. The next day (12th) it worked the 13.40 Manchester Victoria - Llandudno Town.
A short loaded ballast working was noted at Settle Junction (from Ribblehead) on November 8th hauled by 25219. The 07.47 Manchester Victoria - Bangor and the 11.30 Bangor - Manchester Victoria were worked by 25219 on November 18th.
Pre-Christmas travellers on December 23rd had the delights of 25219 & 25043 on the 14.45 Holyhead - Crewe relief.
1981
25219 was very active on the Crewe - Cardiff services during the first four months of 1981, being noted on January 5th, 13th, 22nd, 24th, 29th; February 3rd, 5th (double headed with 47254 on the 01.47 Crewe - Cardiff), 26th; March 20th, 21st, 23rd, 25th, 26th, 27th; April 14th, 15th, 16th, 18th, 22nd, 25th (whilst working the 16.02 Crewe - Cardiff 25219 failed at Pontypool and dragged by 37218).
On May 4th the Vale of Rheidol held an open house at Aberystwyth, all three steam locomotives being in steam. Not to be left out 25219 was also active on this day over the Crewe - Cardiff route. The next day (5th) proved to be of mixed blessings for 25219, it replaced a failed 25033 at Aberystwyth which had been diagrammed with 25035 to work a York excursion as far as Crewe. On the return leg 25035 failed at Hookagate and 25219 ceased functioning at Westbury!
25219 continued its Crewe - Cardiff services on May 18th & 25th. On May 30th 25219 & 25048 worked the 10.10 Euston - Aberystwyth from Birmingham New Street, returning with the 18.00 (?) Aberystwyth - Wolverhampton.
The last day of May was also officially the last day for the Class 25s on the Crewe - Cardiff workings. The Southern Region were intending to release Class 33s from discontinued van traffic workings to take over from the Class 25s, however a strike on the SR and continued operation of the van traffic permitted some Class 25s to remain on these workings until June 4th. Throughout the last week 25042/60/66, 25219/220/245 handled the diagrams although by midweek 25220 was replaced by 47099. On June 1st 25060 was replaced by 33022 on the 16.02 Crewe - Cardiff with others gradually taking over. The final Class 25 workings were on June 4th, 25245 on the 17.10 Cardiff - Crewe and 25060 on 16.02 Crewe - Cardiff, the latter failing at Hereford, passengers being rescued by a diesel multiple unit off a terminating Birmingham service. Other workings, including the 20.00 Cardiff - Crewe postal previously powered by Class 45/46's reverted to Class 47 from June 1st.
On June 20th the 04.10 Shrewsbury - Aberystwyth and the 10.07 Aberystwyth - Euston to Wolverhampton were worked by 25219 & 25126. On June 25th a Birmingham New Street - Aberystwyth day excursion was worked roundtrip by 25219 & 25073.
A Preston Division inspection saloon visited Heysham on July 22nd behind 25219.
25219 was active on August 1st working the 07.35 Nottingham - Llandudno Town from Derby, returning with the 13.26 Llandudno Town - Nottingham throughout. A week later (9th) a roundtrip Crewe - Llandudno Town relief was worked by 25219. Late in August (20th & 21st) 25219 was back on the Crewe - Cardiff run.
The Heaton - Red Bank newspaper empties was worked by 25219 on October 4th.
25219 visited the Scottish Region on November 2nd working a round trip on the Carlisle - Glasgow circuit covering the 08.40 Carlisle - Glasgow Central and 12.40 return.
On December 29th the Southport - Bewdley 'Severnsider' railtour was worked by 25056 & 25219 as part of the outward leg: Manchester Victoria - Ashton Moss - Stockport - Crewe - Stafford - Bushbury Junction - Perry Bar North Junction- Soho South Junction - Birmingham New Street. 25051 & 25058 worked the Birmingham New Street - Bewdley round trip. The return leg was worked Birmingham New Street - Crewe - Southport. On the approach to Crewe 25056 suffered a brake problem bringing the train to a halt short of the station, the train reached the station being driven by 25219, fitters were able to rectify the brake fault affecting 25056. By this time the train was over an hour late, due to this and other problems affecting the railtour throughout the day.
1982
On January 3rd a relief Manchester Victoria - Newcastle was noted at York with 25219, having worked at least from Huddersfield.
During the middle of March 25219 was particularly active on the Glasgow Central - Carlisle passenger turns, being noted on March 9th, 11th, 13th, 18th & 19th. It is believed to have failed on 13th & 18th and was coupled to 26039 for at least one of the workings.
25219 & 25048 came to the rescue of 40169 at Crewe when it failed on a Stoke - Llandudno excursion on April 12th. The Class 25s completed the remainder of the turn. A week later (18th) 25219 worked the early morning 02.45 Crewe - Bangor.
25219 & 25160 was stabled at Cockshute on May 23rd.
Early August found more passenger workings for 25219, on 1st it was on the 11.55 Manchester Victoria - Holyhead throughout, whilst on 7th it teamed up with 25199 for a trip over the Cambrian metals, out from Wolverhampton and back to Shrewsbury.
On September 11th 25219 & 25251 were working a round trip over the Cambrian to Aberystwyth, out from Birmingham New Street and back to Shrewsbury. On September 14th 25219 worked an ICI limestone train from Tunstead to Northwich.
The 'Dick Turpin' school charter on October 16th utilised 4930 'Hagley Hall' from Bridgnorth to Bewdley where 25083 & 25219 took over for the run to York and return.
25219 was noted eastbound through Chinley with coal/coke empties on November 15th.
Possibly the last passenger working for 25219 was the 08.40 Carlisle - Glasgow Central on November 18th.
1983
25219 was withdrawn on April 6th 1983.
A brief summary of the more frequent passenger workings that 25219 (and many others) worked is detailed below: please note over the life of these workings the headcodes and timings did change through the years, particularly on the Crewe - Cardiff services
East Coast Seaside Resorts
1E83 08.10 Derby - Yarmouth & 1M37 14.30 return
1E85 09.20 Derby - Skegness & 1M47 19.20 return
1E26 08.40 Leicester - Skegness & 1M85 18.30 return
1E91 08.00 Walsall - Yarmouth & 1M66 14.15 return
1E64 10.15 Birmingham - Norwich & 1M68 15.18 return
1E66 13.15 Birmingham - Norwich & 1M76 18.34 return
Crewe - Cardiff
1V51 01.47 Crewe - Cardiff
1V01 06.00 Crewe - Cardiff
1V03 10.00 Crewe - Cardiff
1V05 12.22 Crewe - Cardiff
1V09 16.00 Crewe - Cardiff
1V13 19.30 Crewe - Cardiff
1M70 07.50 Cardiff - Crewe
1M84 11.50 Cardiff - Crewe
1M92 15.08 Cardiff - Crewe
1M94 17.10 Cardiff - Crewe
Carlisle - Glasgow Central
1M03 12.40 Glasgow Central - Carlisle
1M02 13.45 Glasgow Central - Carlisle
1M89 15.50 Glasgow Central - Carlisle
1S90 06.10 Carlisle - Glasgow Central
1S50 08.40 Carlisle - Glasgow Central
1S37 12.40 Carlisle - Glasgow Central
Not all known passenger workings are recorded on this page.
Resources:
1970s Western Region information courtesy online notebooks of Sean Greenslade.
150/18350
flk 0117
Page added January 23rd 2001.
Page updated July 13th 2022.
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