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Withdrawn October 5th 1980.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25223 was moved to Swindon Works on October 10th 1980 (two days after being withdrawn), and broken up at Swindon Works by the first week of November 1980.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.
Noted Derby Works March & April 1976 (full repaint & gangway doors sheeted over).
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.

On the afternoon of October 23rd D7504 & D7573 were at Stenson Junction with a down Class 7 freight (7G31).

1966
On the early afternoon of February 12th D7573 was at St Albans with a down freight.

On the evening of May 28th D7573 was at Doncaster with the eight coach 1V67 18.58 York - Swindon, D7573 was replaced at Sheffield Victoria by D6806 with three coaches also removed, D7083 would take the train forward from Leicester Central. The WTT advise Nottingham Victoria was reached at 22.08, departing 22.12, Leicester Central arrive 22.58, departing 23.12, midnight occurred just north of Woodford Halse and who knows what time Swindon was reached.

D7573 was noted at Derby Works with accident damage during March & April.

1967
On the afternoon of February 11th D7573 was stabled at Manchester Central.

Noted at Derby on the morning of April 30th were: D5283 on shed; D7573 up freight (7M67); D5014 down parcels; D5183 shunting parcels vans.

The London Midland boiler equipped D7568 - D7573 were sent to Holbeck during August in exchange for D7627 - D7632, these being used to replace steam on Leeds - Bradford workings. D7573 would stay at Holbeck for nine months.

On the afternoon of August 26th D5096, D5177, D7573 & D7578 along with 44826, 45219 & 45593 were stabled at Holbeck.

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 Victoria with the 1N25 21.55 to Leeds.

On April 5th D7573 was noted at Manchester Exchange with the evening 3N25 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.

On the afternoon of August 22nd the eight coach 1J80 15.00 Barrow - Manchester Victoria was noted at Preston with 7573 & 7674.

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 the morning of December 9th 7573 was stabled at Exeter depot.

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.

7573 was stabled at Exeter on June 1st (showing headcode 6B15). On June 10th 25223 worked the 4B08 10.50 Plymouth - Penzance vans. On the afternoon of June 17th 7573 was noted on empty ballast wagons at Lostwithiel.

July - still fitted with gangway doors.

On July 21st 7573 was noted at Lostwithiel with a short milk train (6B31). Later this day 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 5pm on August 19th 7573 was noted passing Liskeard with the ?Z92 crane and wagons for Plymouth.

On September 1st 7573 worked the 4B17 Penzance - Bristol Temple Meads vans to Plymouth.

On September 8th 7506 & 7573 worked the 1C04 12.45 Penzance -Cardiff to Plymouth (running late), returning west with the 1V48 09.25 Manchester Piccadilly - Penzance from Plymouth. On Sunday September 9th the 16.40 6B21 St Erth - Acton milk was noted passing Liskeard with 7506 & 7573.

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.

On March 8th 25224 & 7573 worked an additional 6Zxx St Blazey - Stoke load clay as far as Exeter Riverside.

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.

On July 2nd 25223 was noted at Laira depot, with gangway doors and with minor damage to the cab front, driver's side of No.2 cab.

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.

25223 was stabled ar Exeter on December 31st.

1976
On January 1st & 14th 25223 was noted at Exeter stabling point.

On January 15th 25223 worked the 2B99 17.55 Barnstaple - Exeter St Davids and the 2B84 20.15 Exeter St Davids - Newton Abbot.

On January 17th 25223 worked the 2B99 17.55 Barnstaple - Exeter St Davids, the 19.25 Exeter St Davids - Paignton and the 2B84 20.15 Exeter St Davids - Newton Abbot??

On January 27th 25223 worked the 2B84 20.15 Exeter St Davids - Newton Abbot.

On February 8th 25223 was at Plymouth with ballast empties.

On February 26th 25223 & 25217 were noted at Exeter with the 6E79 19.15 St Blazey - Temple Mills freight (22 wagons).

On April 14th 25223 made a test run from Derby Works.

The snag sheet for April 14th recorded:

No.1 bulkhead door seal
Oil leak union side of blower - investigate
Signs of turbo seizing up ?? charge air
No.2 cab 2nd man's door seals to fit, gap at top
A side body filter rubber seal loose
No.1 cab 2nd man's side window metal strip
A side crankcase door
No.1 cab driver's side door seal to fit
No.2 cab driver's side door seal
Engine water? gauge union leaking flex
No.1 cab driver's brake valve to ?? position.

On April 29th 25223 worked the 6B73 Whimple - Exeter Riverside, comprised of two vans and a brake van.

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 2nd 25223 was noted at Plymouth with parcels stock, the locomotive was recently ex-works.

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 June 12th 25223 worked the 2B99 13.40 Exeter St Davids - Barnstaple, the 15.55 Barnstaple - Exeter St Davids and the 5B75 17.10 Exeter St Davids - Laira empty coaching stock.

On June 16th 25223 was noted at Paignton with a passenger service.

On June 19th 25223 worked the 2B99 12.20 Barnstaple - Exeter Riverside, the 15.46 Exeter Riverside - Barnstaple, the 18.00 Barnstaple - Exeter St Davids and the 2B48 20.50 Exeter St Davids - Newton Abbot (five coaches).

25223 was stabled at Exeter on June 24th.

On July 2nd 25223 worked a special 2Z44 14.40 Exeter St Davids - Paignton (six coaches).

On July 6th 25223 worked the 6B71 18.45 Barnstaple - Exeter vans.

On July 7th the 1V13 13.00 Waterloo - Exeter St Davids failed at Honiton behind 33039. 25225 off the Whimple trip propelled the train from Honiton to Exeter St Davids and then took 33039 to the stabling point. 25223 later worked the 2B44 19.30 Exeter St Davids - Paignton (nine coaches). By the next day the fault with 33039 had been cured as it was busy working the Exeter - Waterloo services.

On July 8th 25223 worked the 6B71 18.45 Barnstaple - Exeter vans.

On July 10th 25223 worked the 2B99 13.40 Exeter St Davids - Barnstaple and the 15.55 Barnstaple - Exeter St Davids.

On July 18th 25223 was noted at Dawlish with possibly an Exeter - Paignton service.

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).

On October 19th 25223 worked the 2B44 19.35 Exeter St Davids - Newton Abbot (eight coaches).

On October 20th 25223 worked the 9B73 15.05 Whimple - Exeter Riverside (six CovHops and brakevan).

On October 21st 25223 worked the 9B73 15.05 Whimple - Exeter Riverside (three CovHops and brakevan).

On October 25th 25223 was noted at Exeter stabling point.

On the morning of October 28th 25170 & 25223 were noted at Laira.

On November 5th 25223 & 25217 worked the 19.45 St Blazey - Temple Mills goods to?

On November 12th St Blazey sent out 25080 & 25063 on the 18.05 St Blazey - Etruria clay and 25052 & 25223 on the 19.45 St Blazey - Temple Mills goods.

On November 19th St Blazey sent out 25217 & 25080 on the 19.45 St Blazey - Temple Mills goods and 25215 & 25223 on the 22.05 St Blazey - Carlisle goods.

On November 24th 25223 & 25224 were noted at Exeter with the 6E19 19.40 St Blazey - Temple Mills freight (16 wagons).

On December 3rd 25223 & 25080 worked the 19.45 St Blazey - Temple Mills goods to?

On the early afternoon of December 4th 25223 was up light engine at Plymouth.

On December 17th 25224 & 25223 were noted at Exeter with the 6E19 19.40 St Blazey - Temple Mills freight (19 wagons). During the late afternoon delays were experienced over this route when 47027 working the 1E70 14.30 Paignton - York suffered engine failure between Newton Abbot & Teignmouth, the engine stopped and was unable to be restarted. 45024 rescued the train.

1977
On the afternoon of January 1st 25216, 25223 & 25224 were stabled at Par.

On January 4th 25224 & 25223 were noted at Plymouth with the 19.45 St Blazey - Temple Mills freight.

On January 5th 25223 & 25052 worked the 6E19 19.40 St Blazey - Temple Mills.

25223 was stabled at Exeter on March 3rd.

On March 16th 25223 worked the 7B73 15.05 Whimple / 17.00 Chard Junction - Exeter Riverside.

On the evening of March 25th 25223 was stabled at Newton Abbot.

On March 30th 25080 & 25223 were noted at Exeter St Davids with the 7M86 19.40 St Blazey - Carlisle (24 wagons and brakevan).

On May 7th 25223 worked the eleven vehicle 12.10pm Plymouth - Penzance parcels.

On May 16th 25223 worked the 05.30 Exeter - Penzance weedkiller from Plymouth, the same train being noted at Wadebridge on May 17th and Gunnislake on May 18th.

On May 21st 25223 worked the 2B99 16.35 Exeter St Davids - Barnstaple.

On the afternoon of May 27th 25223 was noted shunting in Barnstaple yard, whilst 33017 was in charge of the 16.20 Exeter St Davids - Barnstaple and the 17.45 return.

On May 28th 25223 worked the 2B99 16.35 Exeter St Davids - Barnstaple.

On the afternoon of May 29th 25223 was at Dawlish with a down and up local passenger.

On June 1st 25223 worked the 9B70 15.00 Whimple - Exeter Riverside.

On June 4th a 'Queen's Silver Jubilee Special' day excursion from Bideford to Paddington was worked as far as Exeter St Davids by 25223 & 25052. For the return leg 25223 & 25315 worked the train from Exeter St Davids to Bideford.

On June 10th 25223 worked the 15.20 Penzance - Paddington vans to Plymouth, 47107 took the train forward, whilst 25223 took the 04.27 Longport - St Blazey clay forward from Plymouth.

On June 17th 25155 & 25223 worked the 19.50 St Blazey - Carlisle goods to Plymouth.

On June 22nd 50012 failed at Truro with the 15.20 Penzance - Paddington vans, 25223 dragged everything to Plymouth where 50042 took over.

On June 24th 25223 worked the 04.27 Longport - St Blazey clay forward from Bristol.

At about 2pm on June 27th 25223 & 25052 were noted at Plymouth with an up goods, they were later seen at Par at about 8.30pm.

On Saturday July 2nd 25223 & 46022 were noted at Truro double heading the summer dated 12.52 Penzance – Paddington service, 50007 took over at Plymouth.

On July 15th 25223 & 25080 worked the 20.55 St Blazey - Temple Mills goods to?

On July 22nd 25223 worked the 19.05 St Blazey - Exeter Riverside goods.

On July 29th 25223 & 25080 worked the 20.55 St Blazey - Temple Mills goods to?

On August 12th 25223 & 25080 worked the 19.50 St Blazey - Carlisle goods to?

On August 26th 25223 worked the 07.46 Barnstaple - Exeter St Davids and was later stabled at Exeter shed.

On August 28th 25223 worked the 09.50 Exeter St David - Paignton.

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! Later this would form the 16.25 Barnstaple - Newton Abbot empty coaching stock with 25223 & 25052.

On August 30th 25223 worked the 19.35 Exeter St David - Paignton.

On September 5th 25223 was noted at Newton Abbot with a passenger service.

On September 16th 25223 & 25224 worked the 18.50 St Blazey - Carlisle goods to?

On September 17th 25223 & 25224 worked the 1M39 09.35 Penzance - Wolverhampton to Plymouth, replaced here by 47489. They then returned west with the 1V63 08.08 Wolverhampton - Penzance which had arrived at Plymouth with 47241.

On September 23rd 25223 worked the 19.05 St Blazey - Plymouth Friary goods.

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. The Class 40s were manned by a Kings Cross crew, but on the return from Exeter St Davids the Exeter conductor was at the controls of the Class 40.

On October 10th 25223 worked the 6B71 16.25 Torrington (three tanks) / 18.45 Barnstaple - Exeter Riverside.

On October 14th St Blazey sent out 25223 & 25052 on the 19.50 Carlisle goods and 25170 & 25216 on the 20.55 Temple Mills goods. 25052 & 25223 returned from? with the 18.25 Avonmouth - Truro goods and 25216 & 25170 returned with the 23.45 Exeter Riverside - St Blazey goods.

On October 21st 25170 & 25223 worked the 18.50 St Blazey - Carlisle goods to?

On the afternoon of October 26th 25052, 25080, 25155 & 25223 were stabled at Laira.

On November 15th 25223 worked a morning Exmouth Junction - Exeter Riverside trip. During the afternoon it would work the Chard milk trip.

On November 19th 25223 worked the 2B99 16.20 Exeter St Davids - Barnstaple.

On November 22nd 25223 worked the 7B70 17.58 Whimple / 17.00 Chard Junction - Exeter Riverside (11 tanks, ?? CovHops and brakevan).

On November 23rd 25223 worked the 6B75 21.10 Exeter Central - Exeter Riverside trip (20 Presflos).

On the evening of December 2nd 25223 & 25215 worked the 18.25 Avonmouth - Truro goods from?

Busy times were noted for the Laira Class 25s on December 23rd:
25170 on an up goods at Plymouth (08.20)
25225 with the 10.30 Exeter Riverside - Newcourt goods
25080 & 25052 on a down clay at Exeter (16.30)
25225 with the 16.20 Exeter St Davids - Barnstaple, the 17.45 Barnstaple - Exeter St Davids and the 19.35 Exeter St Davids - Paignton
25145 on the 7B71 18.45 Barnstaple - Exeter Riverside goods and the 6B75 22.05 Exeter City Basin - Exeter Riverside (19 tanks)
25223 & 25216 on the 20.55 St Blazey - Temple Mills goods (at Exeter).

1978
On February 11th 25223 worked the 09.20 Liverpool - Penzance forward from Plymouth.

On February 17th 25052 & 25223 were noted at Plymouth with the 19.50 St Blazey - Carlisle freight.

On the evening of April 7th 25223 was up light engine at Plymouth.

Observations at Exeter St Davids on May 6th include:
Exeter depot 09.30: 25080, 25223, 25224
33011 10.10 Exeter - Waterloo
33061 06.30 Waterloo - Exeter and 12.28 return
47086 06.50 Bridgnorth - Kingswear excursion
40118 09.50 Cardiff - Exeter - Didcot tour
33032 09.00 Waterloo - Exeter and 14.28 return
33001 09.00 Brighton - Exeter and 13.58 return
33019 11.00 Waterloo - Exeter and 15.55 return
25224 16.20 Exeter - Barnstaple
33003 13.00 Waterloo - Exeter and 17.55 return
33017 15.00 Waterloo - Exeter
25224 17.45 Barnstaple - Exeter
47479 1V92 terminated at Exeter, locomotive failed
25224 19.35 Exeter - Paignton
33014 19.55 Exeter - Basingstoke piloted by 45007
50028 16.30 Paddington - Plymouth terminated at Exeter
33027 17.00 Waterloo - Exeter

On May 10th 25223 worked the 6B76 17.55 Exeter Central - Exeter Riverside trip.

Observations at Plymouth on the evening of May 19th include:
25215 & 25224 18.05 St Blazey - Stoke clay
25058 15.52 Bristol - Plymouth vans
25223 & 25052 19.50 St Blazey - Carlisle goods.

Observations at Exeter St Davids on June 10th include:
50048 07.15 Exeter - Plymouth
Exeter depot 09.30 25058, 25223, 47245
47499 07.05 Worcester - Penzance motorail
25058 09.50 Exeter - Barnstaple
33021 10.10 Exeter - Waterloo
33007 06.30 Waterloo - Exeter and 11.00 Exeter - Waterloo
25080 10.00 Barnstaple - Exeter
47009 08.25 Paddington - Plymouth relief
33018 08.00 Waterloo - Exeter and 12.28 Exeter - Waterloo
25080 11.51 Exeter - Barnstaple
33023 0.900 Waterloo - Exeter and 14.28 Exeter - Waterloo
47512 08.50 Swansea - Paignton and 14.02 Paignton - Swansea
25058 11.57 Barnstaple - Exeter
33039 & 33011 08.53 Brighton - Exeter and 13.55 Exeter - Brighton
33001 11.00 Waterloo - Exeter and 15.55 Exeter - Waterloo
47079 14.25 Paignton - Oxford
47103 10.58 Paddington - Penzance from ? after failure at Hungerford
25080 14.40 Barnstaple - Exeter relief
47055 12.35 Penzance - Swansea
47297 1M60 after 47198 failed at Goodrington
25080 16.38 Exeter - Barnstaple
33003 13.00 Waterloo - Exeter and 17.655 Exeter - Waterloo
25058 15.52 Barnstaple - Exeter
47009 17.35 Newton Abbot - Bristol relief
33032 15.00 Waterloo - Exeter and 19.55 Exeter - Basingstoke
25080 18.03 Barnstaple - Exeter
47366 18.10 Newton Abbot - Cardiff relief
33021 17.00 Waterloo - Exeter
25058 & 25080 21.00 Exeter - Newton Abbot.

On June 16th 25052 & 25206 worked the 19.50 St Blazey - Carlisle goods to Exeter Riverside? and 25207 & 25223 worked the 20.50 St Blazey - Temple Mills goods to Exeter Riverside?

25223 was noted at St Erth on June 19th with milk tankers.

Observations at Plymouth on June 30th include:
50031 11.06 Penzance - Paddington to Plymouth, 47028 forward
47085 11.57 Newquay - Leeds
25223 up light engine Plymouth 14.00
47008 1V76 to Plymouth, 50045 forward
50017 12.45 Penzance - Crewe vans to Plymouth, 47125 forward
50033 16.42 St Erth - Morden South milk
50026 17.53 Exeter - Penzance ECS
50037 1M77 to Plymouth, 47008 forward
25080 15.52 Bristol - Plymouth vans
25206 19.55 Plymouth Friary - St Blazey goods.

On July 6th 25223 worked the 18.00 Truro - Plymouth Friary freight.

On July 7th 25223 worked the 16.05 Truro - Plymouth Friary goods and the 04.24 Stoke - St Blazey clay, from Plymouth?

25223 was stabled at Truro on July 18th.

On July 24th 25223 worked the 16.40 Plymouth - Paignton.

On the evening of July 26th noted at Exeter shed were 25223, 31156, 31230 & 47532.

On the morning of July 27th 25223 was stabled at Exeter shed, it would later work the 19.30 Exeter St Davids - Paignton.

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. At about 7pm it then worked the 5B80 Exeter - Newton Abbot empty coaching stock (ten coaches). This ran in the place of the 2B50 21.50 Exeter - Newton Abbot, this working being covered by the 1V94 14.39 Leeds - Plymouth with 47075.

On July 30th 25223 worked a similar diagram, the 11.10 Exeter - Barnstable, the 12.28 Barnstaple - Exeter, the 14.20 Exeter - Barnstaple, the 16.45 Barnstaple - Exeter and the 20.00 Newton Abbot - Exeter St Davids.

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 August 10th 25223 worked the 2B35 17.30 Paignton - Exeter St Davids and the 2B38 18.45 Exeter St Davids - Paignton (six coaches).

On the afternoon of August 16th 25223 was on Exeter shed.

On August 19th 25223 worked the 09.50 Exeter - Barnstaple, the 11.57 Barnstaple - Exeter, the 13.40 Exeter - Barnstaple and the 15.52 Barnstaple - Exeter.

25223 was stabled at Laira on August 27th.

On September 1st 25223 worked the 19.35 Exeter St Davids - Paignton.

On the morning of September 2nd 25057, 25155, 25223 & 33108 were stabled at Exeter shed.

On the afternoon of September 3rd 25155, 25223, 33021 & 47198 were stabled at Exeter shed.

On September 9th 25223 worked the 18.00 Torrington - Exeter milk (14 tanks). On arrival at Exeter 25223 went to the banking spur whilst 50021 attached the tanks to the 6O19 16.20 Penzance - Clapham Yard milk & perishables (arrived Exeter with seven tanks and five vans).

On September 12th 25223 worked the 2B44 19.30 Exeter St Davids - Paignton.

On the evening of September 13th 25223 was stabled at Exeter.

On October 20th 25057 & 25223 worked the 18.05 Truro - Plymouth Friary goods and the 04.24 Stoke - St Blazey clay from Plymouth?

On November 2nd the 19.50 St Blazey - Carlisle freight was worked to Exeter Riverside by 25223 & 25225.

On November 24th 25223 worked the 18.05 Truro - Plymouth Friary goods.

On the morning of December 9th 25052,25057, 25206 & 25223 were stabled at Exeter shed. Later that day 25223 worked the 16.08 Exeter St Davids - Barnstaple.

On December 14th 25223 worked the 19.35 Exeter St Davids - Paignton.

On December 18th & 19th 25223 was noted shunting vans at Exeter St Davids, its boiler was reported as non-operational.

On December 28th 25223 worked the 2B99 17.45 Barnstaple - Exeter St Davids.

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
January 23rd was a day of ASLEF strike action, at 4pm Exeter stabling point contained 08288, 08641, 08953, 25048, 25223, 31241, 31300, 45059, 45069, 46036, 47180, 47258, 47486, 47496 & 50030 (15 locomotives).

January 25th was a day of ASLEF strike action, at 5pm Exeter stabling point contained 08288, 08641, 08953, 25048, 25080, 25223, 25225, 31145, 31158, 45076, 46016, 46051, 47140, 47180, 47486, 50019, 50020, 50021, 50028 & 50047 (20 locomotives).

On January 26th 25223 worked the 19.45 Exeter St. Davids - Paignton.

On February 5th 25223 worked the 19.30 Exeter St. Davids - Paignton.

On the morning of February 8th 25058 & 25223 were noted at Exeter shed.

On February 9th 25223 worked the 19.30 Exeter St. Davids - Paignton.

On the morning of February 24th 25223 was noted at Laira.

On March 6th 25223 worked the 2B99 07.46 Barnstaple - Exeter St Davids. A short while later 25223 assisted 25207 with the 7B73 Exeter Riverside - Exmouth Junction freigh up the bank to Exeter Central.

On March 20th 25223 worked the 12.22 Crewe - Cardiff and the 17.10 Cardiff - Crewe.

25223 visited Derby Works during April.

On the evening of April 26th 25223 was at Taunton with a down goods.

On the evening of April 27th 25223 & 25225 were noted at Exeter shed.

On the morning of April 28th 25206 & 25223 were noted at Exeter shed, both were still there in the evening.

On the afternoon of April 29th 25164/25206/25223/25225 were stabled at Exeter.

At about 2pm on May 5th 25048/25052/25223/25225 were at Exeter shed. On the same date 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 the afternoon of May 6th 25206 & 25223 were stabled at Exeter shed.

On May 7th (Bank Holiday) 25223 worked the 07.46 Barnstaple - Exeter St Davids and the 2B99 16.08 Exeter St Davids - Barnstaple.

On the morning of May 17th 25223 was on a down goods at Totnes and was later this day stabled at Exeter shed.

On the morning of June 1st 25223 was stabled at Exeter shed and later in the day was eastbound at Dawlish light engine.

On June 9th 25048 & 25223 worked the 10.00 Barnstaple - Barrow SAGA, with 25048 taken off at Exeter St Davids. Presumably 25223 ran through to Bristol as it later ran light from Bristol to Exeter and then worked the 16.38 Exeter St Davids - Barnstaple and the 18.03 Barnstaple - Exeter St Davids.

On June 16th the 10.38 Newquay - Paddington in charge of 50014 was failed at Newton Abbot, 25223 took the train forward to Exeter St. Davids.

On July 21st 25223 worked the 06.35 Plymouth - Old Oak vans to Taunton, 31401 took over here. On July 23rd 25223 worked the 14.10 Exeter - Paignton.

On the morning of August 27th 25223 & 25048 were stabled at Exeter. On August 28th 25048 worked the 09.50 Exeter St Davids - Paignton. At about 11am on August 29th light engine 25223 was noted at Aller Junction in the down direction.

On the morning of August 30th 25223 was stabled at Exeter St Davids.

On the morning of September 8th 25223 was stabled at Exeter.

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.

On December 19th 25223 worked the 19.31 Exeter St Davids - Paignton.

On the afternoon of December 20th 25223, 33018, 33105 & 47239 were noted at Exeter shed.

At mid-day on December 31st 25052 & 25223 were noted at Exeter shed.

1980
On January 18th 25080 & 25223 worked the 19.55 Plymouth Friary - Truro goods.

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.

25223 was stabled at Exeter on March 1st.

On the late afternoon of March 21st 25223 was stabled at Exeter shed.

At mid-day on March 22nd 25223 was stabled at Exeter shed.

In the late morning of March 29th 25080 & 25223 were stabled at Exeter shed.

On April 9th a late afternoon Barnstaple - Exeter St. Davids service was noted behind 25223 & 33013.

At about 6.40am on June 18th 25223 was noted at St Austell with a lengthy train of clay empties for Drinnick Mill.

On July 8th 25223 worked the 14.16 Exeter St. Davids - Paignton and the 16.05 Newton Abbot - Paignton.

25223 was receiving attention at Laira on September 22nd, having been lifted off its bogies.

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.

55/2337
flk 1121 (1)

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 March 6th 2024.

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