The sixteen year career of D7610/25260 started with eighteen months allocated to Eastern Region depots, followed by the remainder allocated to London Midland Region depots.
Built BR Derby Locomotive Works.
Carried green livery with TOPS numbering.
Final exhaust roof panel: raised 'L' shape.
Time between last Classified repair and withdrawal: 89 months.
Time between withdrawal & scrapping: 55 months.
Allocations
D7610 was new to the Tinsley (41A) on April 7th 1966. Further transfers were:
December 1966 to Barrow Hill (41E).
October 1967 Springs Branch (8F).
June 1968 to Liverpool Division (D08).
January 1969 to Birmingham Division (D02).
January 1971 to London Division (D01).
May 1971 to Birmingham Division (D02).
May 1973 to Bescot.
Withdrawn December 13th 1982.
Renumbered March 1st 1974.
25260 was the 158th Class 25 withdrawn, one of eight retired during December 1982.
After withdrawal 25280 was stored at Etches Park from at least February 3rd 1983 to July 1985 and moved to Swindon Works on July 24th 1985. It survived the closure of the Works and was dragged across to Cocklebury Yard on June 3rd 1987 with 25093, 25126/134/161/164/180/193, 25207/208/260, 25306/327. It then moved to Humberstone Road, Leicester on June 5th 1987 with 25126/134/164 and into Vic Berry's yard three days later. It was broken up by the middle of July 1987.
Works Visits
Works visits (records incomplete).
Noted Derby Works July & September 1966.
Noted Crewe Works March 1970.
Noted Crewe Works June 1975 (Classified assumed, repainted into blue livery?).
Highlights
1966
On June 16th a very clean D7610 was noted on a seven coach passenger service displaying headcode 1M89.
1967
On the morning of May 27th D7610 was stabled at Holbeck.
On the afternoon of August 12th D7610 delivered the final AM11 Class 311 electric multiple unit No.110 for the Glasgow suburban system, being noted northbound over G&SW route.
On November 18th noted at Springs Branch were D5262, D5263, D7610 & D7636.
On the evening of December 23rd D7610 & 73125 were noted at Manchester Victoria on the Wigan - Leeds vans.
On December 29th D7610 was on freight 5F04 at Manchester Victoria.
1968
On the afternoon of January 7th D7610 & D7639 were stabled at Springs Branch along with D2558, D2578, 12003, 12004, 12070 and twelve steam locomotives.
On the early afternoon of April 10th D7610 was northbound at Crewe Gresty Lane with a freight.
On the afternoon of April 20th D7610 was stabled at Springs Branch.
On July 3rd D7610 was noted at Preston on a down freight (6P01).
1969
On the morning of July 3rd 7610 was northbound at Crewe with empty coaching stock.
1970
On the afternoon of September 20th stabled at Wolverhampton HL station were 7564, 7567, 7610, 7613 & 7641.
1972
A journey from Leighton Buzzard to Crewe for the Works Open Day on August 9th included the following:
Bletchley: 7535, E3001, E3022
Rugby: 3024, 3188, 7566, E3004, E3011, E3076, E3079
Nuneaton: 7559, 7610
Rugeley: 5141
Stafford: 3870, 5143, E3023
Crewe station area (late morning):
162
200, 245, 300, 309, 379
402, 405, 414, 416, 420, 421, 433, 443, 444
1512, 1552, 1580, 1612, 1633, 1692, 1693, 1823, 1851, 1855, 1905, 1934, 1939, 1945, 1958
3031, 3217, 3232, 3290, 3291, 3801, 3861
5030, 5038, 5045, 5056, 5142
5246, 5288, 7635, 7636
E3003, E3023, E3059, E3061, E3062, E3071, E3076, E3082 (Class 86s omitted)
Crewe Works
201, 205, 239, 251, 280, 289, 302, 367, 393, 398
415
1504, 1516, 1519, 1520, 1530, 1533, 1534, 1542, 1543, 1545, 1580, 1590, 1601, 1621, 1626, 1634, 1641, 1646, 1654, 1659, 1670, 1675, 1694, 1702, 1709, 1813, 1836, 1844, 1848, 1856, 1858, 1892, 1931, 1940, 1948, 1987
3510
8070, 8115, 8170, 8176, 8307
26049, 76025
E3046-cond, E3084
E3150, '86501'
Crewe station area (afternoon):
221, 292, 316, 329, 382, 386
411, 419, 422, 424, 426 427, 440, 446
1654, 1842, 1847, 1952
3069, 3113, 3467, 3585, 3970
5029, 5047, 5049, 5052, 5057, 5092
5244
7534
E3001, E3054, E3063, E3073, E3074, E3089
Stafford: 5024, 5079
Nuneaton: 3951, 5284, 7559
Bletchley: 7527, 7528.
A trip from Luton to Derby for a visit to the Locomotive Works Open Day on August 26th includes the following observations:
Luton: 5243
Bedford: 3859, 4139
Wellingborough: 35, 3863, 3864
Kettering: 57, 5277
Leicester: 10, 43, 38, 73, 85, 102, 118, 130, 1860, 1989, 3776, 3862, 3866, 5233, 5235
Derby Tech Center, London Road curve, station area (morning): 18, 21, 27, 33, 47, 67, 91, 95, 98, 104, 169, 177, 151, 160,
1755, 1769, 1942, 1960, 2130, 2387, 3082, 3186, 3351, 3569, 3572, 3577, 3771, 3792, 5232, 5241, 5270, 5282,
5567, 5570, 5618, 5626, 6869, 7615, 7639, 8047, 8072, 8156
Derby Tech Center, London Road curve, station area (afternoon): 14, 22, 26, 56, 58, 63, 68, 79, 90, 101, 109, 110, 117, 133, 139, 173,
1579, 1583, 1588, 1727, 1732, 1738, 5234, 5236, 5242, 5250, 5276, 5279, 5280, 5281, 5618, 6750, 7610, 8197
Leicester: 52, 73, 102, 5224, 5233, 5235, 5243, 5248, 5267, 5284, 7561
Market Harborough: 1860
Wellingborough: 99, 130, 5241, 7614, 7615, 7649
Bedford: 52, 83, 3859, 4139
Luton: 7523, 6590 6M54.
1973
The early passenger workings for D7610 appear to have slipped unreported into the pages of history, such that the first known so far was an unidentified working on August 19th 1973 with 7610 & 5228 handling a passenger train between Dundee & Perth.
Condition September: green livery with full yellow ends.
The failure of a three-car multiple unit during the afternoon of November 14th saw 7602 & 7610 assist the 13.50 Chester - Wolverhampton service and the return working, the 16.35 Wolverhampton - Shrewsbury.
1974
On the afternoon of August 15th 25260 was stabled at York.
1975
On August 9th the 11.58 Newcastle - Paignton was worked as far as Exeter St. Davids by 25136 & 25260 where they were replaced by 47055 (or did 47055 come on at Bristol? with the Class 25s sent light engines to Exeter). Later that evening the 1O24 19.20 Exeter St. Davids - Basingstoke departed behind 25136, 25260 & 33032. The Class 25's are assumed to have come off no later than Salisbury, the purpose of this move is not certain.
On the morning of August 14th & 15th, the afternoon of August 17th and the morning of August 18th 25260 was stabled at York.
1976
On July 31st 25260 & 25272 worked the 10.07 Aberystwyth - Euston to Wolverhampton (assumed).
On August 2nd 25260 worked the 18.39 Shewsbury - Aberystwyth and the next day's 15.10 Aberystwyth - Shrewsbury. On August 15th an Alfreton - New Hadley via Shrewsbury special was noted changing locomotives at Birmingham New Street with 47477 giving way to 25121 & 25260.
During the third week of August 25260 had 'USS Enterprise' chalked in large letters on the non-BIS side, between the number and the BR emblem, being so noted at Wolverhampton on August 21st.
25074 & 25xxx (thought to be 25260) were noted at Aberystwyth on September 5th with the M&GN 'Cambrian Coaster' from Euston, its not sure where the Class 25s took over the special.
1977
The Walsall - Norwich (for Yarmouth) - Walsall passenger diagram was worked by 25260 & 25271 on June 18th.
On July 3rd a Weston-super-Mare - Barmouth day excursion was worked from/to Wolverhampton - Barmouth by 25260 & 25323.
The Walsall - Norwich (for Yarmouth) - Walsall passenger diagram was worked by 25260 & 25124 on August 27th.
A Marylebone - Kidderminster day excursion on September 10th was worked out (via Bicester) and back (via Worcester/Oxford/Banbury/Bicester) by 25260 & 25253.
1978
On July 7th (6th?) 25260 & 25302 went on a lengthy trip out & back with a Nottingham - Barry Island day excursion, for a total of 349 passenger miles. Near the month end on July 30th the 08.45 Birmingham New Street - Barmouth and the return 17.45 Barmouth - Euston to Wolverhampton were worked by 25260 & 25263.
25260 was noted at Gloucester depot on August 18th. The last week of August was a busy one for 25260. On August 23rd it worked the 17.10 Cardiff - Crewe. Three days later (26th) 25260 & 25161 worked the 10.40 Euston - Aberystwyth from Wolverhampton, returning with the 16.10 Aberystwyth - Shrewsbury. On September 9th the 10.40 Euston - Aberystwyth from Wolverhampton and the 16.10 Aberystwyth - Shrewsbury were worked by 25260 & 25302.
On the afternoon of November 18th 25074, 25102, 25260 & 25282 were stabled at Saltley.
1979
At mid-day on April 21st 25114 & 25260 were noted at Saltley.
On the evening of April 27th 25260 was stabled at Bristol Bath Road.
On May 25th 25260 was noted passing Warley with about fifteen coal wagons and a brake van.
On May 28th 25260 worked a Worcester - Leeds passenger service.
On August 10th 25260 worked the 11.30 Cardiff - Crewe and the 16.02 Crewe - Cardiff.
On August 11th 25260 worked the 17.10 Cardiff - Crewe.
25260 was noted passing Bescot light engine on August 21st. On the afternoon of August 29th 25260 & 25276 were stabled at Severn Tunnel Junction.
On the morning of November 10th 26260 was at Birmingham New Street.
1980
Some observations on the Midland mainline on February 27th included:
25175 & 25071 Cricklewood (11.00)
25254 Leicester shed (12.30)
25163 & 25057 Etches Park (13.00)
25260 & 25264 Wellingborough shed (18.00)
On May 31st the 04.10 Shrewsbury - Aberystwyth and the return 10.07 Aberystwyth - Euston to Wolverhampton were worked by 25260 & 25267. The next day (June 1st), a Euston - Aberystwyth charter was worked roundtrip Wolverhampton - Aberystwyth by 25260 & 25261. As a change from Cambrian metals on June 13th 25260 & 25131 worked over the NE/SW route with the 13.34 Birmingham New Street - York and the 17.26 York - Birmingham New Street. On June 25th 25260 was noted shunting 85020 into the maintenance shed at Bescot.
On July 5th The 10.10 Euston - Aberystwyth from Birmingham New Street and the 16.10 Aberystwyth - Shrewsbury were worked by 25260 & 25269.
On September 22nd 25260 ran light engine from Lea Marston to Saltley.
1981
25260 was stabled at Saltley on January 10th, still displaying the '0000' headcode display.
Observations mostly on the Midland mainline on April 12th include:
Cricklewood 08.00 25089
St Albans 08.20 25180 with a permanent way train
Luton 08.40 25152 & 25xxx with permanent way trains
Luton 08.40 47202 on ballast train
Wellingborough depot 09.20 25284, 25316, 25324, 47287
Leicester depot 10.20 25267 and 56057
Sileby 10.55 25260 permanent way train
Etches Park 11.30 25066, 25242, 31200
Birmingham New Street 16.15 25287 with a down car train
Saltley 16.20 25284, 25302, 56055
On the morning of April 14th 25260 was noted at Leicester depot.
Observations on the NE/SW mainline on April 21st include:
Gloucester depot 11.50: 25027 & 25056
Saltley 13.45: 25214 & 25260
Etches Park 14.25: 25066 & 25081
25260 & 25272 were busy on the weekend on June 13th/14. On 13th they worked the 04.10 Shrewsbury - Aberystwyth, returning with the 10.07 Aberystwyth - Euston to Wolverhampton. The next day (14th) they worked the 08.45 Birmingham New Street - Aberystwyth and the return 18.00 Aberystwyth - Euston to Nuneaton.
On July 15th 25260 was stabled at Walsall station. On July 27th 25260 worked a Swindon - Gloucester service.
On August 4th 25260 was noted eastbound from Holyhead with a mixed freight.
On the morning of September 10th 25260 worked the Holbeck 9K57 tripper, running light from Holbeck to Hunslet, then Armley Moor - Hunslet - Healey Mills - Hunslet then light engine back to Holbeck.
On September 12th 25260 was noted at Saltley.
1982
Following the heavy snow storms of early January travel was impacted in many areas, including west Wales and the Shrewsbury - Aberystwyth line. High winds in the area caused a lot of drifting along the Dovey Estuary, the snow at Borth Station was above platform height. On the Cambrian Coast Line a diesel multiple unit was sent out to examine the route but became derailed due to compacted snow. A Class 25 equipped with miniature snowploughs, possibly 25260, was sent out on January 8th from Shrewsbury to clear the snow on the line to Aberystwyth. On January 9th 25260 was noted at Aberystwyth with a two-car multiple unit set (56360 & 51176) forming a service back to Shrewsbury. The Class 25's cab front and running gear was caked in snow, suggesting its use to support the diesel multiple unit was a wise move. This operation continued at least until January 11th when 25260 and a three car set were in use. During this period there was only one Shrewsbury - Aberystwyth round trip per day.
On May 15th 25260 was stabled at Springs Branch.
25260 worked the 09.50 Manchester Victoria - Llandudno Town and the 14.20 Llandudno Town - Manchester Victoria on June 27th.
25260 was stabled at Springs Branch on July 10th.
On August 4th (?) 25260 was noted at Warrington Bank Quay with a trip working to Arpley, ten wagons mostly filled with scrap. On August 20th 25260 worked the 17.30 Glasgow Central - Carlisle. A week later on August 28th 25260 & 25321 worked the 07.40 Euston - Aberystwyth from Wolverhampton, returning with the 14.00 Aberystwyth - Shrewsbury.
On September 5th 25260 was stabled at Severn Tunnel Junction, the No.2 end still retaining a working four-digit headcode.
On October 22nd 25260 was noted at Leamington Spa on a freight. 25260 was stabled at Banbury on October 23rd.
25260 was retired on December 13th 1982, but would not be scrapped for another four and a half years.
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Page added November 17th 2012.
Last updated June 1st 2024.
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