The seventeen year career of D7573/25223 included allocations to London Midland, Eastern and Western Region depots.
Built: BR Derby Locomotive Works.
Boiler equipped.
Center lampbracket & other fittings removed.
Time between last Classified repair and withdrawal: 53 months.
Time between withdrawal & scrapping: 4 weeks.
Allocations
D7573 was new to Cricklewood West (14B) on October 26th 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 then permanent same month.
May 1968 to Longsight (9A).
June 1968 to Manchester Division (D09).
October 1971 to Laira (84A).
Withdrawn October 5th 1980.
Renumbered April 1974.
25223 was moved to Swindon Works on October 10th 1980 (two days after being withdrawn), and broken up at Swindon Works by the first week of November 1980.
Works Visits
Works visits (records incomplete).
Noted Derby Works March & April 1966 (accident repairs).
Noted Derby Works March & April 1972, paint date 20/4/72.
??Derby Works February 1976?? (full repaint)
Noted Derby Works April 1979 (NF repairs).
Highlights
1963
The frames for D7573 were laid down during the summer of 1963 at Derby, with D7573 were delivered to Cricklewood (14A) towrds the end of October.
D7573 & D7574 worked their test train to Corby on October 18th 1963.
1965
On March 1st D7573 worked the 12.30 Ellesmere Port - Luton empty car flats.
On April 19th the 15.30 Manchester Central - Sheffield was worked by D7573.
1966
D7573 was noted at Derby Works with accident damage during March & April.
1967
The London Midland boiler equipped D7568 - 7573 were sent to Holbeck during August in exchange for D7627 - 7632, these being used to replace steam on Leeds - Bradford workings. D7573 would stay at Holbeck for nine months.
Condition August: green livery with small yellow warning planels, squared upper corners, frame level stripe painted over.
1968
Although this January was a remarkably mild one heavy snowstorms on January 9th & 10th brought considerable chaos to many parts of the country. Particularly hard hit were the London commuters with most of the termini suffering many cancellations due to frozen up equipment. Perhaps because of this it was no surprise to find Holbeck based D7573 on January 13th noted working the 08.48 Halifax - Kings Cross (load four coaches), observed south of Peterborough, possibly due to weather related points failure in the Wortley area.
With steam in the north-west rapidly in decline the areas parcels trains were now diesel hauled - the afternoon Leeds City - Patricroft a regular Holbeck Type 2 working, noted in January were D5147 (10th), D5096 (12th) & D7573 (26th).
On the evening of January 26th D7573 was noted at Manchester Exchange with the Wigan (?) - Leeds vans (1N25).
On April 5th D7573 was noted at Manchester Exchange with the evening Wigan - Leeds vans.
During May D7573 moved to Longsight (9A).
On July 3rd D7573 was noted at Windsor Bridge on a down van train.
1970
On February 3rd & 4th 7585 & 7573 were the Manchester Victoria bankers.
On April 29th whilst negotiating the crossovers at the center of Manchester Victoria station 7573 become derailed. The Newton Heath breakdown crane arrived behind 5154, taking about an hour to put 7573 back on the rails.
1971
With the Western Region making further inroads into its hydraulic fleet 7573 - 7575/7577 were transferred to Laira (84A) during October, part of a larger fleet reorganisation. The Class 25's were not the most popular machines in the south-west, their mechanical condition leaving a lot to be desired. Typical was 7573 spending a month out of service at Exeter before being moved to Laira for repair. The Class 25s had still not fully replaced the Class 22's on the local duties in Devon and Cornwall, crew training still taking place at several locations. Not helping matters was the use of Laira based 7574 at Bristol for crew training. Additionally the Class 25's were still not cleared for use on the Drinnick Mill branch.
7573 would spend the remainder of its working life on the Western Region and would become familiar on the secondary passenger duties in the Exeter area, with eight years in this area it is more than likely 25223 covered all the local passenger duties many times over. It would also be very active on the summer holiday extras and assisting the long distance workings out of Penzance & Plymouth from time to time.
At about 7.30pm on October 4th 7573, 7575 & 7577 were noted at Exeter St Davids on transfer from the Manchester Division to Laira. This date would also mark the official usage of only Class 33s on the Waterloo - Exeter services.
On October 11th 7573 worked the 6B74 16.57 Hemyock - Exeter milk tanks (sixteen tanks).
On October 12th 7573 worked the 3B67 19.05 Barnstaple - Exeter St Davids (two vans), then retiring to the stabling point.
On October 15th the 6A17 15.05 Penzance - Paddington (milk & perishables, seven tanks, fifteen vans) arrived at Exeter with 7573 & 1058, the Class 25 was removed here.
On October 16th Exeter stabling point held 7573, 7577, 7657 & 7677. Later 7573 left the depot light engine and returned with the 6B74 16.57 Hemyock - Exeter milk tanks (seven tanks).
On October 18th the 6B65 20.20 Plymouth Friary - Exeter Central cement tanks with twenty Presflos was worked up to Exeter Central by 7573 & 1639, the Class 25 then returned light to Exeter stabling point.
On November 19th 7573 was noted at Exeter stabling point, it appears to have remained there until the evening of December 14th when it was noted being started up. Presumably it was out of service for this whole length of time.
On December 23rd 7573 worked the 6B16 17.15 Lapford - Exeter milk tanks (three tanks), the locomotive then retired to the stabling point.
1972
On the early afternoon of February 19th 7573 ran light from Exeter to Tiverton Junction. It then worked the 6B73 16.45 Hemyock - Exeter milk (11 tanks).
On February 21st 7573 worked the 6B67 19.05 Barnstaple Junction - Exeter vans.
Derby Works was host to 7573 during March & April, returning to Laira late in April.
At about 8pm on May 1st 7573 and an inspection saloon were noted at Exeter in the down direction.
On May 5th 7573 worked the 6B67 19.10 Barnstaple Junction - Exeter vans (two vans).
On May 26th 7572 worked the 6B67 19.10 Barnstaple Junction - Exeter freight (two vans).
On May 29th 7573 worked the 16.05 Exeter St Davids - Barnstaple and the return 17.55 Barnstaple - Exeter St Davids.
On June 1st 7573 worked the 6B70 16.57 Hemyock - Exeter milk (three tanks).
On June 2nd 7573 worked the 6B70 16.57 Hemyock - Exeter milk (three tanks).
On June 3th the 4B10 15.58 Bristol - Plymouth parcels arrived at Exeter with 7091, this locomotive came off the train and was replaced by 7573 and was later noted on Exeter stabling point.
On June 7th the 4B10 15.58 Bristol - Plymouth parcels arrived at Exeter with 157, this locomotive came off the train and was replaced by 7573, which departed with seven vans as the 3B10?
On June 10th 7573 worked the 5A06 05.30 Plymouth - Old Oak Common empty vans (four vans) to Exeter where it retired to the stabling point, 1038 would take the train forward. Later that day the through Paddington - Barnstaple service was hauled by 7573 (ex-works blue/yellow) & 7647 (green/small yellow ends) beyond Exeter, returning with the 14.40 to Paddington as far as Exeter, where 7089 took over. This was at a time of a serious shortage of motive power in the west, a number of Hymeks & Warships having been reinstated to cover the shortages. The 4B10 15.55 Bristol - Plymouth parcels arrived at Exeter with 7045, this retired to the stabling point and was replaced by 7573 which removed four vans and later retired to the stabling point.
On June 14th 7573 worked the 6B70 16.57 Hemyock - Exeter milk tanks. Later at about 19.20 the 6B09 15.05 Acton - Plymouth empty milk (nine tanks) with 1027 was noted at Exeter, the Class 52 retired to the stabling point and 7573 took over for the run to Plymouth.
On June 16th the 4A17 15.20 Penzance - Paddington perishables (ten vans) arrived at Exeter St Davids with 7573 & 820, with 7573 retiring to the stabling point.
On June 17th 7573 worked the 6B66 11.02? Barnstaple Junction - Exeter Riverside freight (three tanks, one van). At about 2pm the same day 7573 ran light from Exeter stabling point to Tiverton Junction in order to work the 6B70 16.45 Hemyock - Exeter milk (two tanks).
On June 23rd 7573 worked the 6B16 17.15 Lapford - Exeter milk (eight tanks). At about 17.50 the 4B10 15.58 Bristol - Plymouth parcels arrived at Exeter with 1672, this came off and retired to the stabling point, with 7573 taking over the train of eight vans.
On July 1st 7573 & 7575 worked the 7B34 19.40 Bristol Temple Mills to Ponsandane freight, the 1E21 10.30 Penzance to Bradford passenger service to Plymouth, then light engines to Laira depot and ending with the 7B31 18.20 Plymouth Friary to Par freight. The same diagram as worked by 7573 & 7507 on July 8th.
On July 21st the 4B10 15.55 Bristol - Plymouth parcels was worked forard from Exeter by 7573.
On July 22nd the 7B31 18.20 Plymouth Friary to Par freight was worked by 7573 & 7507. On July 29th 7573 & 7505 worked the 7B34 19.40 Bristol Temple Mills to Ponsandane freight, the 1E21 10.30 Penzance to Bradford passenger service to Plymouth (see image below), then light engines to Laira depot and ending with the 7B31 18.20 Plymouth Friary to Par freight.
On August 18th 7573 failed whilst working the 4B94 07.20 Barnstaple Junction - Exeter vans. 7087 was sent from Exeter to assist, however the train crew were able to restart 7573 and reach Exeter.
September 23rd was a busy day for 7573. It started out with the 08.15 London Paddington - Barnstable forward from Exeter St Davids, returning with the 14.40 Barnstable - London Paddington as far as Exeter St Davids. The followed the 15.55 Exeter St Davids - Barnstable, the 17.55 Barnstable - Exeter St Davids and the 20.55 Exeter St Davids - Newton Abbot.
On October 19th 7573 worked the 6B70 16.57 Hemyock - Exeter milk (ten tanks).
7573 & 7508 were noted westbound through Liskeard on a damp November 28th with a lengthy train of vanfits, possibly a special Tavistock Junction to St Blazey freight or a sugar beet special from East Anglia to Cornwall.
At about 12.55pm 7573 departed Exeter stabling point for Exeter Riverside for the 6B70 milk empties to Hemyock.
On December 7th the 4B10 15.55 Bristol - Plymouth parcels was noted at Exeter with 7573 & 7677.
1973
On April 24th 7573 worked the 6B66 10.20 Barnstaple - Exeter vans.
July - still fitted with gangway doors.
On July 21st the Kensington Olympia - St Austell motorail arrived at its destination with 7573 & 7574 assisting an ailing 1662. The return working used the same pair of Class 25s as far as??
At about 17.00 on October 20th 7573 & 7574 took over the previous day's(?) 6xxx 14.30 York - Plymouth special parcels at Exeter. This train had been noted stopped at Whiteball at about 13.00 with no locomotive, but arrived at Exeter behind 1055 & 1050. The two Class 52s were later joined by 1067, all three then running light together to Plymouth Laira.
1974
On January 24th the 6O42 18.35 Burngullow - Sittingbourne clay with 1647 was assisted by 7573 between Plymouth and Newton Abbot.
At about 4pm on March 9th 7573 was noted at Exeter with two milk tanks, presumably from Lapford. Later at about 16.50 the 1A65 15.55 Paignton - Paddington with 1040 required the assistance of 7573 to remove the last two coaches (a BG & SO) due to a hot axlebox being detected on the SO No.5441? The SO was dumped in the yard whilst the BG was re-attached to the train, which departed about 17.20.
On March 13th 7573 worked the 6B70 16.57 Hemyock - Exeter milk (two tanks).
At about 4.30pm on March 23rd 7573 was noted at Exeter with the Lapford milk (seven tanks).
On March 25th 7573 worked the 6B70 16.57 Hemyock - Exeter milk (seven tanks).
On April 8th 7573 was noted at Exeter with a down milk train.
During the morning of June 25th 25223 was noted at Tavistock Junction.
On November 5th 25223 worked the 6B59 14.57 Ponsandane - Exeter Riverside (five wagons and a brake van).
At about 18.34 on December 9th 25223 & 25225 were noted at Exeter with the 6A19 13.50 St Erth - Acton milk (16 tanks).
At about 11.10am on December 11th 25223 & 25225 were noted at Exeter with the previous day's 6V20 16.05 York - Plymouth parcels (16 vans). The locomotives returned north with the 6A19 13.50 St Erth - Acton milk (16 tanks), passing Exeter at 18.34.
1975
On January 17th 25223 was noted at Exeter stabling point.
On January 25th 25223 worked the 6B66 11.05 Barnstaple - Exeter vans.
On January 30th 25223 was noted at Exeter stabling point.
On February 6th 25223 was noted at Exeter stabling point.
On March 27th 25223 & 25224 worked the 17.30 Plymouth - Penzance and the 21.05 Penzance - Plymouth.
On Tuesday April 1st the 1Z15 09.50 Plymouth - Liverpool Lime Street special was noted arriving at Exeter St. Davids with 25223 & 25224. The locomotives came off here and were replaced by 45073. Later this day 25223 worked the 9B18 13.05 Exeter Riverside - Whimple, returning with the 9B58 15.05 Whimple - Exeter Riverside.
On June 6th 25223 was noted at Exeter stabling point.
On June 7th 25223 worked the 2B48 20.40 Exeter St.Davids - Newton Abbot.
July - still with gangway doors, but welded up the middle.
On October 29th the St Blazey Class 25s were dispersed as follows: Wadebridge, Liskeard & Hayle 25223; St Blazey - Drinnick Mill 25167, 25220; Goonbarrow Junction 25225; Control Train 25217.
1976
On January 1st & 14th 25223 was noted at Exeter stabling point.
On February 26th 25223 & 25217 were noted at Exeter with the 6E79 19.15 St Blazey - Temple Mills freight (22 wagons).
Ex-works condition during March.
On April 30th 25223 worked the 9B73 15.05 Whimple - Exeter Riverside.
On May 10th 25223 worked the 9B70 15.00 Whimple - Exeter Riverside (two wagons and a brake van).
On May 26th 25223 & 25224 were noted at Exeter stabling point.
On June 5th 25223 handled an Exeter - Plymouth relief to provide connections from the extremely late arrival of a Waterloo service. 25223 would be noted on many of the local Exeter area passenger workings during the summer season.
On July 31st 25223 worked the 2B99 15.55 Barnstaple - Exeter St Davids. On arrival at Exeter the locomotive and stock ran as the 5B75 17.10 empty coaching stock to Laira.
On August 2nd & 3rd 25223 was noted at Exeter stabling point.
On August 5th 25223 worked the 9B73 15.05 Whimple - Exeter Riverside (two CovHops).
On August 7th 25223 was noted light engine at Dawlish Warren. 25223 was noted at Penryn on August 21st hauling a three car Swindon unit.
On August 14th the 2B99 12.20 Barnstaple - Exeter was worked by 25225 & 25223, following the failure of 25223 at Eggesford.
On August 19th 25223 worked the 7B73 15.05 Whimple / 17.00 Chard Junction - Exeter Riverside (four tanks, four CovHops and brake van). It later worked the 2B44 19.30 Exeter - Newton Abbot (eight coaches).
On August 20th 25223 worked the 2B44 19.30 Exeter St Davids - Newton Abbot (eight coaches).
On September 21st 25223 & 25224 were noted at Exeter with the 6E19 19.40 St Blazey - Temple Mills freight (17 wagons).
1977
On June 4th a 'Queen's Silver Jubilee Special' day excursion from Bideford to Paddington was worked as far as Exeter by 25223 & 25052.
On Saturday July 2nd 25223 & 46022 were noted at Truro double heading a Penzance – Paddington service, no doubt they were replaced at Plymouth.
The local Round Table in the Barnstaple area ran a special on August 29th from Barnstaple to Meeth. The ten coaches were 'top & tailed' by 25223 & 25052!
On September 17th 08.08 Wolverhampton - Penzance and the 09.35 Penzance - Wolverhampton were worked by 25223 & 25224 west of Plymouth. The West Country hosted a number of enthusiast specials during the early part of October. 40081/84 worked a special from Paddington to Exeter on October 9th, replaced here by 25052 & 25223 for the round trip to Paignton for the Kingswear branch.
1978
During 1978 25223 continued with a regular diet of working local passenger services in the Exeter / Newton Abboot area. On February 11th 25223 worked the 09.20 Liverpool - Penzance forward from Plymouth.
On the morning of May 6th 25223 was stabled at Exeter.
25223 was noted at St Erth on June 19th with milk tankers.
On July 29th 25223 worked the 09.50 Exeter - Barnstable, the 11.57 Barnstaple - Exeter, the 16.38 Exeter - Barnstaple and the 18.03 Barnstaple - Exeter. The next day (30th) 25223 worked a similar diagram, the 11.10 Exeter - Barnstable, the 12.28 Barnstaple - Exeter, the 14.20 Exeter - Barnstaple and the 16.45 Barnstaple - Exeter.
On August 1st 25223 worked the 16.40 Plymouth - Paignton. On August 5th 25223 worked the 13.40 Exeter - Barnstaple and the 15.52 Barnstaple - Exeter.
On September 9th 25223 worked the 18.00 Torrington - Exeter milk tanks. On the evening of September 13th 25223 was stabled at Exeter.
The year closed out with bad weather on December 29th. Heavy snow over the New Year plagued services with delays and faulty equipment made life even more difficult to maintain the timetable. In the West Country Exeter proved to be a graveyard for frozen up locomotives, with temperatures reaching down to -13C most things simply froze up. The 00.05 Paddington - Penzance was reported sixteen hours late at Plymouth, 50046 had left Paddington 150 minutes late continuing to loose time throughout the journey, before expiring completely at Brent, with 47106 coming to the rescue. The train was cancelled at Plymouth with Penzance passengers connecting with the 10.30 from Paddington, arriving at Penzance some eighteen hours late! At Exeter the local services were cancelled with the dmu's frozen solid. The diesels fared little better with eighteen frozen up locomotives including 25052, 25206/225/263, the only serviceable machine being 46020, which had been equipped with steam lances for the freeing of pointwork and rodding.
1979
On January 26th 25223 worked the 19.45 Exeter St. Davids - Paignton.
On February 5th & 9th 25223 worked the 19.30 Exeter St. Davids - Paignton.
25223 visited Derby Works during April.
After arriving at Exeter with the milk service from Chard, 25223 was used to bank an early evening Exeter - Waterloo service upto Exeter Central on May 5th.
25223 continued its work on the local passenger services, this would be its last full year in service. On June 16th 25223 was noted in charge of the 10.38 Newquay - Paddington between Newton Abbot (?) and Exeter St. Davids. On October 20th a WRC 'Atlantic Coast Express' railtour from Crewe to Meeth & Meldon Quarry was worked between Exeter St. Davids and Meeth/Meldon Quarry by 25223 & 25052.
1980
The evening St Blazey - Longport china clay train was worked by 25223 & 25155 on February 15th.
25223 continued its passenger workings in south Devon, although the recorded workings were not as frequent as previous years.
On April 9th a late afternoon Barnstaple - Exeter St. Davids service was noted behind 25223 & 33013.
On July 8th 25223 worked the 14.16 Exeter St. Davids - Paignton and the 16.05 Newton Abbot - Paignton.
October 5th saw an Alfreton - Barnstaple charter handled by 45061 to Exeter with 25223 & 25080 working the train roundtrip to Barnstaple. Later this day 25223 was withdrawn! The TOPS reports reveal 25223 was turned off for good on October 7th,
25223 was promptly moved to Swindon Works and was quickly broken up by the first week of November. Along with 25052 & 25225 these were very quick disposals.
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flk 0616
Not all known passenger workings are recorded on this page.
Resources:
1970s Western Region information courtesy online notebooks of Sean Greenslade.
Page added June 21st 2002.
Last updated July 30th 2020.
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