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![]() The nineteen year nine month career of D7672/25322/25912 was spent allocated to a multitude of London Midland Region depots.
Built BR Derby Locomotive Works. Allocations D7672 was new to the Nottingham Division (D16) on February 25th 1967. Further transfers were:
July 1967 to Carlisle Upperby (12B).
Renumbered to TOPS April 1974. Works Visits Works visits (records incomplete).
Noted Derby Works October 1967. Highlights
1967 During July D7672 - D7677 were moved to Carlisle Upperby (12B) to assist in the final removal of steam from the north-west. On August 29th D7672 was noted on Shap the with the 5S55 soda ash train, thirteen tanks and brake van. A brief return to Derby was made in October for repairs.
1968 On the morning of November 29th 1781, 8051 & 7672 were light engines at Crewe.
1970 On the afternoon of October 24th 5291, 7541 & 7672 were stabled at Stockport.
1972 On July 9th 7616 & 7672 worked the 08.55 Leicester - Skegness and the diagrammed return.
1973
1974 25322 was on a local Tyne Yard duty on October 18th. 25322 was noted at Kingmoor on the morning of October 29th.
1975 On the early evening of May 30th 25297 & 25322 were noted at Crewe with a train of mineral wagons heading southbound off the Chester line.
1976 On August 29th 25322 was stabled at Chester.
1977 On May 13th 25322 made a test run from Derby Works. The snag sheet for May 13th recorded:
No.2 cab 2nd man's side window broken On May 21st 25322 was noted in very ex-works condition at Knighton South Junction, Leicester attached to 45147 (Works test run?) On May 28th 25322 was on parcels duty at Euston. On the afternoon of June 2nd 25322 was noted at Derby. On the afternoon of August 25th 25322 was noted at Bristol with a down cement. Stabled at Chester on October 2nd were 24036, 24047, 24081, 25139, 25159, 25164, 25165, 25191, 25300 & 25322 and fifty two railcars.
1978 On the early morning of February 28th 25322 was noted at Bristol Bath Road. On May 7th 25322 was stabled at Warrington Arpley. On Tuesday June 20th 25322 worked the 09.55 Willesden to Norwood and the return 12.10 Norwood to Willesden. On the afternoon of June 21st 25322 was stabled at York. On July 1st 25322 & 25283 were stabled at Guide Bridge. On the late afternoon of July 25th 25322 was southbound light engine at York and on the morning of July 26th & 27th was stabled at York. On the early morning of August 12th 25322 was noted at Kingmoor shed. On a wet August 22nd 25322 & 25301 were noted at Stafford with the 10.45 Birmingham New Street - Holyhead. 25322 was noted on passenger duty assisting the local diesel multiple unit on the Windermere branch on November 13th.
1979 25322 returned to Derby for collision repairs during April. At about 9pm on July 13th 25322 was noted northbound at Derby with oil tanks. 25322 was stabled at Birkenhead Mollington Street on August 5th. A morning Morecambe - Leeds service on August 17th required the assistance of 25322 following problems with the diesel multiple unit. On the morning of August 25th 25221 & 25322 were stabled at Bristol Bath Road. On August 26th Kingmoor based 25322 was noted in charge of the 20.17 Worcester - Paddington parcels. An "E" exam was carried out at Kingmoor during December.
1980 On July 23rd 25322 was noted at Grange-over-Sands with oil tankers.
1981
Observation of the afternoon of June 23rd on the Midland mainline include: Noted at Cricklewood on the afternoon of July 27th were 25148, 25181 & 25322. On August 24th the 08.40 Carlisle - Glasgow Central and the return 12.40 Glasgow Central - Carlisle. On September 29th 25322 was eastbound at Manchester Victoria with a brakevan. On the morning of October 29th 25322 & 25035 were stabled at Banbury. On November 13th after working the Aberystwyth - Shrewsbury freight, 25322 was used to assist a failed diesel multiple unit on the 18.00 Aberystwyth - Machynlleth service.
1982 On the morning of June 3rd 25069, 25093, 25117 & 25322 were stabled at Cricklewood. On July 19th 25322 & 25279 were stabled at Saltley. The 15.10 St. Pancras - Nottingham was noted arriving at Nottingham on August 11th behind 25322 and a failed 45131. Engineering work on August 29th saw diesels assisting at the southern end of the WCML, 25322 & 25298 assisted one southbound service between Watford Junction & Willesden, followed by 25322 & 25317(?) assisting another southbound service between Bletchley & Watford Junction. On August 31st 25322 was southbound at Duffield with a lengthy mixed freight. Cambrian metals were visited on September 4th & 5th. On September 4th 25322 & 25298 worked the 10.10 Euston - Aberystwyth forward from Birmingham New Street, returning with the 16.05 Aberystwyth - Shrewsbury. The next day (5th) the same pair worked the 08.45 Birmingham New Street - Aberystwyth from Shrewsbury, the 16.40 Aberystwyth - Machynlleth and the return 17.25 Machynlleth - Aberystwyth, followed by the 18.15 Aberystwyth - Euston to Wolverhampton. On September 9th 25322 & 25303 were noted light engines at Rainhill.
1983 On May 5th 25322 was shunting vans at Manchester Victoria. On May 11th 25322 worked the 22.47 Crewe - Blackpool North forward from Preston. On June 8th 25322 worked the 9F10 Llandudno Junction - Warrington Old Walton Junction freight. The 16.35 Carlisle - Leeds was worked by 25322 on June 15th, dragging failed 31406. On June 20th 25322 was at Ribblehead with ballast wagons. On June 21st (or 22nd) the 09.20 Lancaster - Barrow with 40152 failed at Silverdale, 25322 then dragged everything to Barrow. On June 24th 25322 was stabled at Skipton. The 07.35 Euston - Aberystwyth on July 9th was worked forward from Wolverhampton by 25322 & 25277, returning with the 14.00 Aberystwyth - Euston to Wolverhampton, the service had been extended due to late running. On July 25th the 12.50 Leeds - Cardiff failed at Landore Street Junctiomn behind 45122, 25322 dragged the service into Birmingham New Street. On August 1st 25322 was light engine at Bescot. Another failure occurred on August 5th when the 16.25 Kidderminster - Birmingham New Street failed before departure, 25322 dragged everything to its destination. On August 18th 25322 was at Cardiff General with a continuous welded rail train. On September 27th 25287? & 25322 worked a Point of Ayr - ICI Northwich coal train, 25322 appeared to have a bad oil leak. On October 14th 25322 was noted at Banbury station. On November 26th 25322 worked the 4P21 00.20 Liverpool Lime Street - Preston vans. On December 7th 25322 worked a Northwich - Tunstead empty ICI hoppers train.
1984 During May due to a shortage of locomotives two Class 25s were reinstated, 25316 & 25322, with 25322 being allocated to Bescot. In celebration of the upcoming Tamworth Rail Week (May 12th - 20th) 25322 was chosen to be an exhibit and consequently acquired a modified livery, with full yellow cab ends, black window surrounds and a silver/grey roof, made possible by apprentices at Tyseley depot. It acquired the painted name 'Tamworth Castle', but because of its livery it became affectionately known as the 'Ice Cream Van'! 25322 had already made a passenger working on May 17th, dragging a failed diesel multiple unit on a Nottingham - Crewe service to Derby. Two days later (19th) it was stabled at Saltley. It was noted at Crewe on May 27th having assisted with 25210 the 14.10 Glasgow - Euston between Preston & Crewe, engineering work causing the usual diversions. Noted Shrewsbury stabling point on May 29th reportedly with head gasket problems. On May 30th 25322 was stabled at Llandudno Junction depot with a nuclear flask wagon. On June 12th 25322 was noted on Hatton Bank with a driver training special during MP12 handling.
![]() June 16th's 10.10 Euston - Shrewsbury featured 25282 & 25322 'Tamworth Castle' from Wolverhampton. On June 17th 25322 & 25282 were noted at Crewe. 25322 was noted at Preston on June 23rd & 25th. 25322 was at Derby on July 7th with a parcels train. On July 15th 25322 & 25257 took over a Weston Super Mare - Grange-over-Sands day excursion at Birmingham New Street, later working the return leg as far as Crewe. Additional mileage was covered on this run as the outward leg was via Manchester. On July 26th 25322 worked the 7F10 Llandudno Junction - Warrington Speedlink service, formed of one loaded Ferrywagon from Anglesey Aluminium to Aachen. On July 27th 25322 was noted passing Buxworth with an inspection saloon, also on the morning of this day 25322 was noted with a Warrington Arpley Yard - Warrington Freight depot five wagon freight. 25322 was noted passing Warrington light engine on July 30th. 25322 was noted at Chester with a parcels train on August 1st. On August 9th 25322 was noted at Hooton with the Amlwch tanks, the train required two brakevans and two barrier wagons. On August 13th 25322 was noted at Llandudno Junction with a freight. On August 26th 25322 was noted in the bay at Milton Keynes with a rail crane. Bescot lost its Class 25 allocation at the end of September, 25322 moving once more, this time to Crewe. On September 6th 25322 came to the rescue of failed 86230 working a Manchester - Euston service. The electric had suffered a partial failure earlier in the day, finally expiring completely at Tring where passengers were transferred to a following service, the Class 25 taking the empty train on to Euston. On September 20th 25322 was noted at Chester with a freight. On October 6th 25322 was stabled at Bletchley. On November 4th three Class 25s were present at Severn Tunnel Jct, their booked workings being 25058 to Bescot, 25284 - Gloucester and 25322 - Mossend. On November 17th 25322 was light engine at Manchester Victoria. A short hop for 25322 on November 18th was assisting one passenger service between Manchester Piccadilly & Stockport, the power being off due to engineering work. 25322 was noted at Crewe depot and Manchester Piccadilly on December 7th.
1985 On January 26th 25912 was stabled at Kingmoor. On March 6th 25322 & 25315 worked the roundtrip Stanlow - Neville Hill oil tanks. On March 24th 25322 was noted at Birmingham New Street with a permanent way train and also at Saltley this day. By March 31st 25322 was noted in the Wolverhampton area with an engineers train.
![]() 25322 was noted heading north through Cheltenham on April 9th. On April 16th 25322 was noted at Toton with a freight. A lengthy train of mineral wagons was noted southbound through Bescot on April 19th with 25322. On April 20th 25322 was light engine at Crewe station. On April 24th 25322 & 25325 were noted northbound through Crewe with loaded sand wagons. On April 28th 25322 was noted at Severn Tunnel Junction. On May 5th 25322 was on display at Westbury depot Open Day, keeping company with about twenty locomotives including 27036 which had recently been outshopped from Swindon. 25322 was noted passing Edge Hill on May 12th with engineers wagons. An ailing Class 47 required the assistance of 25322 between Golbourne Jct & Preston on May 15th. Three days later (18th) the 07.20 Blackpool - Cambridge commenced its journey behind 25322, a locomotive change taking place at Preston in the shape of 47444.
![]() On June 17th 25322 was at St Pancras. The last week in June saw 25322 busy in Scotland, on 25th it worked the 12.40 Carlisle - Glasgow Central and 17.30 return, by the 27th it was at Ayr and piloted 47571 forward on the 21.10 Euston - Stranraer. On July 3rd 25322 was noted northbound at Springs Branch on a freight and also this day was noted with 47290 and a Speedlink freight southbound at Hereford. Another Open Day, this time at Cardiff Canton on July 6th produced a considerable variety of exhibits including 25322 and 97201 (ex 24061), the latter being used for cab rides. 25322 had arrived dead behind 47290 working the Garston - Severn Tunnel Jct car carriers. It is believed the Class 25 had failed two days earlier on a similar working. On July 8th 25322 & 31117 were noted with a parcel train, ex-Cardiff headed north, being noted at Water Orton. On June 17th 25322 was stabled outside St Pancras. 25322 was noted at Chester on July 18th with a parcels (?) train. On August 3rd 25322 was noted at Welshpool. On August 5th 25322 was stabled at Shrewsbury. 25322 & 25262 were noted passing through Stafford on August 25th with a freight train. 25322 was noted arriving at York on August 29th with a mixed train of coaching stock (for the Works?) 25322 was noted at Carlisle on September 4th working a short freight and was stabled at Crewe on September 29th and also noted on this day passing through Crewe with an electrification train. On October 13th 25322 was stabled at Llandudno Junction. On November 9th 25322 & 25296 were stabled at Birkenhead. Late in the year 25322 was chosen as one of the locomotives to be designated Class 25/9 for implementation of the first sectorisation idea. Although 25322 had been previously withdrawn it was now considered one of the better machines in the fleet. The sub-class were restricted to 60mph to minimise traction motor problems and they were authorised to receive E exams. Transfer of this group took place in November to Kingmoor, with 25322 being renumbered to 25912 on November 20th. The traffic flows planned for the Class 25/9s did not reach the expected levels so the sub-class migrated back to normal duties, losing their special mechanical attention. 25322 was noted at Manchester Victoria on November 13th as pilot(?). On December 3rd a Knockshinnock - Fiddlers Ferry merry-go-round coal train was worked forward from Carlisle by 47285 & 25912. The next day, December 4th 25912 was noted at Waverley with a car train, whilst a Stanlow - Dalston oil train was worked to Warrington by 97408 & 25307, here 25904 & 25912 took over for the run to Dalston. 25912 was stabled at Carlisle station on December 5th (night?). On December 18th 25912 was noted at Slaithwaite with a ballast train. 25912 was stabled at Manchester Victoria on December 22nd & 24th and at Newton Heath depot on December 25th/26th.
1986 On January 11th 25912 was at Carnforth with a ballast working. 25912 & 25909 were stabled at Chester on January 18th & 19th. On January 23rd 25912 & 25909 were stabled at Manchester Victoria. On February 16th 25912 was stabled at Warrington Arpley. 25912 worked 6T68 blue liveried chemical tanks to Hayes Chemical Works on February 20th, later this day 25322 was stabled at Warrington Arpley. On February 27th 25912 & 25903 worked the SX 7D26 06.25 Warrington Arpley - Shotwick with three empty cement tanks for Tunnel Cement, Penyffordd and OTA wagons loaded with raw timber for Dee Marsh Junction. 25903 & 25912 were noted at Hooton on February 28th running round the Albion oil tanks and headed for Crewe. 25912 was noted passing Springs Branch on March 13th with a Speedlink service of bulk powder tanks and coke wagons.
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![]() On April 2nd 25902 & 25912 worked a Stanlow to Neville Hill oil train. On May 2nd 25912 & 25902 were light engines at Warrington Arpley. On May 8th the 23.05 Glasgow Central - Euston was worked by 25914 & 25904 between Warrington - Chester - Crewe. 25912 was noted at Warrington Arpley on May 9th with a Speedlink or trip freight (from Liverpool Wavertree?). On May 12th 25912 was noted passing Helsby with a lengthy train of short wheelbase oil tanks. The 04.45 Northenden - Appley Bridge rubbish train was worked by 25904 & 25912 on May 24th. On May 30th 25912 worked an Ellesmere Port - Warrington Speedlink trip formed of 13 loaded TTAs (fuel for BR Depots), 4 tanks conveying chlorine. On May 31st 25912 & 40122 with 37146 were together at Crewe Diesel Depot. June 1st saw the well attended Coalville Open Day featuring many exhibits including 25912 'Tamworth Castle' and 97201. On June 2nd 25912 was eastbound at Manchester Victoria with a freight. 25902 & 25912 were noted passing westbound through Chester on June 4th with a train of logs for Shotton paper. 25912 was noted at Warrington Arpley on June 13th. On June 18th 25912 & 25903 were noted northbound at Preston with an additional Over & Wharton to Inverness rock salt train. A diesel multiple unit failure on July 5th saw 25912 work the 16.10 Llandudno Junction - Blaenau Ffestiniog service. On August 12th 25912 worked a train of container flats from Holyhead to Derby. On August 13th the 08.17 Holyhead - Newcastle failed at Bangor behind 47608, 25912 dragged the service to Llandudno Junction where 45009 took over. On August 28th another diesel multiple unit failure saw 25912 work the 14.40 Llandudno Junction - Blaenau Ffestiniog and the 16.05 return service. 25912 was noted at Rhyl on September 1st with a ballast working. On September 19th 25912 & 25901 were noted northbound at Walton Old Junction with a rock salt train. On October 3rd 25912 was noted at Warrington Arpley. During the last week of October a number of Over & Wharton - Reading salt specials were powered by pairs of Class 25/9s, most frequently noted were 25901 & 25912 on 23rd, 24th, 28th & 30th. On November 4th & 6th 25912 was at Warrington Arpley. On November 26th 25912 was receiving attention at Springs Branch depot. Another regular salt working, this from Winsford to Deanside in Scotland utilised pairs of Class 25/9s during December. 25904 & 25912 were noted on December 8th and 12th. 25912 arrived at Springs Branch at tea-time on Christmas Eve with an 'A' exam due, and also requiring attention to the main generator.
1987 On January 28th 25912 & 25902 were light engines at Crewe station. On January 29th 25912 & 25902 worked locally until diagrammed as the 6Z48 to Carlisle Depot for an 'A' exam (25902 still attached). Also checked out was damage suffered in a minor collision. By February 12th, and still attached to 25902, the Over & Wharton, Deanside & Winsford locals were in charge of this pair. On the afternoon of February 14th it was back to Upperby, remaining in the area, with 25902 until 17th/18th. Both returned south to Warrington late on 18th, 25912 continuing further south to spend the next few days on local jobs in the Shrewsbury area (21st - 24th). On February 21st 25912 was noted passing light engine through Shrewsbury with 20119. On February 25th 25912 was stabled at Shrewsbury. The new again interacted with the old as 25912 took 89001 on February 27th from Crewe back to the RTC at Derby for further tests. February 28th & March 1st were spent in the Stoke area, by the afternoon of 3rd 25912 was at Llandudno, remaining there on local workings until moving to Warrington on the afternoon of 13th. From Warrington it moved to Springs Branch for an 'A' exam, successfully completed early the next morning. The morning of 14th was spent in the Liverpool area, stabling at Edge Hill for almost twenty four hours until mid-day on 15th. Then it was back to more local work in the Liverpool/Wigan area, which included a trip to Tebay/Shap Summit and return (6P32/6P33) on the afternoon/evening 16th. The next five days (17th - 21st) were spent on numerous local trips to Ince Moss Tip/Warrington/Wigan/Stanlow & Thornton/Oakleigh ICI/Ellesmere Port/Dee Marsh/Ditton, before stabling at Warrington at lunch time on 21st. On March 21st 25912 was also noted at Preston with loaded ballast wagons. After a twenty four hour layover at Warrington a move to Crewe was made early on the morning of 23rd. This was followed by a round trip to Bescot Yard, after its return from leaving its last working at Basford Hall 25912 ran light to Crewe Depot, where it was taken out of service that afternoon.
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The TOPS report records 25912 being taking out of service at Crewe on 11.30am on March 23rd. Later that day 25912, 25059 & 25904, (the first two still running) moved from Crewe Depot to Basford Hall yard to join a line of their silent sisters, where by April 1st, twenty six members had congregated.
Post Withdrawal - 1991 Because of its withdrawn state it was now classified as a Departmental locomotive not intended to run under its own power and was allocated ADB 968027 (but never carried). The area plant engineer at Leeds Holbeck offered accommodation for the machine, an under-utilised three road shed of steam era vintage. By May 25912 was safely housed at Holbeck, in conditions better than most preserved machines. Mid-1988 saw John Nuttall, Holbeck AME and Ian Foot M&EE Training improve the appearance of the loco by arranging to repaint it into 1960 s two tone green livery. This escalated into a serious attempt to return the machine to working order, four local staff were given this priority. The scraplines of 25 s provided many parts, several visits were made to Bescot to recover assorted spares. Miniature snowploughs came from a Class 20 at Toton. 25206 was moved from Bescot to Doncaster Works surrendering much including compressors and traction motors, whilst 25202 provided injectors. To complete the final product nameplates, worksplates and shed codes were ordered. Final details including a BR lion and wheel emblem transfer.
![]() A small ceremony on April 24th 1989 saw the locomotive unveiled and handed over to the training department, now fitted with proper 'Tamworth Castle' nameplates. However repairs continued to the engine with parts arriving from as far away as Stewarts Lane and Eastfield. Batteries were also received from a Class 31, and fitted after a little modification. Meanwhile to increase patronage on the Settle & Carlisle line a number of special trains were run involving unusual motive power. It was only a matter of time before D7672 was requested for one of these trips. The date selected was February 24th 1990, so the previous Monday (19th) a test run with four coaches was made from Neville Hill to Skipton and return. No serious problems were encountered on this outing, however grease and oil in the exhaust lagging created a fair amount of smoke in the engine room. Once the exhaust had reached its normal working temperature the problem disappeared. On the wet Saturday of the run, 47422 was the train locomotive for the 08.25 departure to Carlisle with ten Mk I s in tow. On the 12.42 return leg the run upto Ais Gill was unassisted, with 520 tons, the summit reached at 28mph. On this same date Railfreight Coal locomotive Class 26 No.26007 was also working the S&C route as a special attraction. The timetabling of the services allowed the two 'specials' to cross at Langwathby and Keighley stations.
![]() The success of this venture led to more opportunities for D7672. However it was not until May 27th 1990 that the locomotive hauled a passenger train alone, working a York - Leeds via Harrogate leg of a charter train, again without major problems. The locomotive became a celebrity at Open Days. A plaque was added to the machine at Doncaster Works Open Day on May 20th 1990 to commemorate its restoration by the Training Dept. On June 23rd 1990 D7672 worked the Middleton Pioneer railtour between Appleby & Leeds. On August 18th D7672 was an exhibit at Barry Open Day. On September 15th 1990 D7672 was officially reinstated to the revenue earning fleet under DM&EE pool code DMEH. On October 20th 1990 D7672 was exhibited at Manchester Victoria as part of Network NorthWest Day.
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![]() The Sulzer Salute charter from Swindon to Bradford on February 16th 1991 utilised D7672 between Sheffield & Bradford Forster Square.
![]() The policy of sector management, which sparked the Class 25/9 sub fleet, was also to see the demise of D7672 as the Training Dept.came under financial constraints, and D7672 was an un-warranted cost. Thus on March 30th 1991 the final trip took D7672 on a 340 mile Hertfordshire Railtours Leeds - Holyhead and return charter. The ten coach train ran out via Huddersfield, Manchester & Chester arriving half an hour late at Holyhead. The return was similar except the last leg was via Hebden Bridge. Miles Platting Bank was taken assisted, perhaps un-necessarily, by 31242. Arrival back at Leeds was on time. A total of 1,053 passenger miles had been run since D7672 was acquired by the Holbeck team. Although now discarded again 25912 was a prime candidate for preservation with the North Staffs Railway being the winning bidder. Before entering preservation D7672 ran light engine on April 29th 1991 to MC Metals, Glasgow for asbestos removal, returning south on May 18th 1991 to open a new chapter in its life.
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![]() A Class 25 diesel guillotine cut number panel 'D7672' was sold at auction for GBP100.00 during January 2013.
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Page added February 25th 2000.
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