25072

1963
D5222 was constructed at Derby during the summer of 1963, being delivered to Cricklewood (14A) during September and becoming part of the large fleet of diesel locomotives & multiple units being used to replace steam northwards from St Pancras. This was the last of the first batch of Class 25's (D5186 - 5222) to be constructed at Derby, the following ten machines (D5223 - 5232) which had been part of that same Derby order were transferred to Darlington whilst Derby tackled the redesign issues as later revealed in D5233. After D5222 Derby built ten more Type 2's (D7568 - 7577) in the older style prior to the change to that reflected in D5233.

D5222 was one of those locomotives on display at the annual Open Day at Derby Works at the end of August.

1965

During November D5222 was transferred to the Leicester Division.

1966
Crewe Works began to recieve Type 2’s for heavy repair, so noted in the last week of April were D5196, 5221/29/31/65, 7581/91, whilst D5222 arrived for attention in May. This was no doubt possible due to the availability of resources created by the diminishing steam repairs and the winding down of the Brush Type 4 construction.

1967
During January D5222 returned to Cricklewood (14A) whilst D5220 was at Derby for repair in May.

1972
Because of the proximity of Wolverton Works, where the Royal Train was kept when not in use the boiler equipped Class 25's at Willseden and Cricklewood were favourites for handling the Royal Train workings, either in the forwarding moves or when members of the Royal Family was actually on board. Thus on November 16th 5221 & 5222 conveyed a five coach Royal Train with Princess Anne aboard from Euston to Hope. The train returned ecs to Wolverton via the Midland to Market Harborough.

1973
5222 was noted at Derby Works during March.

1974
During April 5222 was back at Derby for repairs.

Passengers on a Marylebone –York excursion on April 25th enjoyed the delights of being routed via Penistone and Huddersfield, the locomotives for the day were 25072 & 25036.

5222 was transferred to Willesden during August whilst receiving collision repairs at Derby.

1975
During August 25068 - 25072 were transferred to Cricklewood. On November 18th the arrival of the President of Tanzania at Gatwick saw the Royal Train in use to Victoria, afterwards 25072 arrived at Stewarts Lane to return the stock to Wolverton.

1976

An engineer's special hauled by 25068 & 25072 ran on June 3rd from Walsall to Willesden via Tyseley & Banbury, included in the formation was a track recording coach.

New Year's Eve found the 1G33 8.04 Perth - Edinburgh dmu on fire at Bathgate Jct. 25072 was used to shunt the damaged vehicles into the up loop, then took the lead coach onto Edinburgh, just over one hundred minutes late. The fire completely gutted Dundee based SC51540, withdrawal coming in January. 25072 had also been noted on the 11.22 Dundee - Edinburgh and 13.20 return, usually a dmu working, but now operating with a rake of Mk 1 coaches, normally hauled by a Class 25 or 26.

1977
A major repair for 25072 was carried out at Glasgow Works from April to June.

1978

On May 6th the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden Park featured Glasgow Rangers & Aberdeen, with five specials scheduled. The 09.30am left behind 25072 & 25087, the 10.00 had 25227 & 25033 whilst the other three featured 40167, 40063 & 40159.

1980
January found 25072 at Glasgow Works for an N4 repair, at the same time it was transferred to Haymarket.

A doubled headed Type 2 working featured the (Fridays only) 17.25 Glasgow Central - Stranraer and the next days 09.43 SO Blackpool - Stranraer, from Ayr. On July 11/12th 27012 & 25076 were noted, 25238 & 26032 on 18/19th, though 25238 was replaced by 25109 on the Ayr run, 25235 & 25079 on 25/26th, 25246 hauled the first leg on August 1st, 47353 did the second leg! 25246 was also noted on the 17.43 Glasgow - Ayr and 19.22 return on August 5/6th, 25072 worked this turn on August 13th and came back on the 15th with the 17.25 Glasgow Central - Stranraer.

1981

The 15.57 Aberdeen - Carstairs postal used 25072 on May 18th, there appeared to be no consistency for this train's haulage, with Classes 26 & 40 frequently being used.

1982

25072 paid another visit to Derby during February, this again for an N4 repair. Eastfield became 25072's new home during March, though from the following reports it appears everywhere but there. It was used on May 2nd to work a scheduled Birmingham - Norwich service, whilst on 8th it handled a Five Ways - Chester church special with 25138. Several days were also spent in the South Wales area at the end of May. On July 31st Tinsley provided 25072 for the 8.57 Sheffield - Llandudno, the Type 2 being replaced at Huddersfield. By October 25072 had been transferred to Crewe.

1984
On May 13th 25072's first passenger working of the year occurred, jointly with 25207 it assisted a WCML working over the de-energised Northampton - Coventry section. The 16.20 Glasgow - Liverpool continued to use Class 25's for the journey south of Preston. Noted were 25072 (Aug 24th), 25229 (Aug 31st), 25210 (Sept 6th), 25190 (Sept 7th), 40009 (Sept 12th) and remarkably 20212 & 20219 (Sept 14th). On September 19th 25072 worked a Derby - Craigentinny ecs throughout, returning south light engine. When October 19th's 16.35 Carlisle - Hull expired at Garsdale behind 31432 it was left to 25072 to take the train as far as Leeds.

1985 - 1987 & Preservation
25072's first day of passenger working in 1985 proved too much for the locomotive, after succesfully covering a Blackpool - Preston working, it expired at Euxton Jct on January 21st whilst taking forward an ex-Glasgow service from Preston on to Liverpool. 47016 was procured to get the train to its destination. The failure of a Class 47 at Perth on a Glasgow - Aberdeen service on April 4th led to 25064 & 25072 working the train through to Aberdeen. Late in June 25072 ended up on the Glasgow - Carlisle circuit. A southbound trip was was on 26th, the next day 25072 was being used by Gateshead depot for the local Coxlodge working. However by the morning of 28th 25072 was back at Glasgow, set up to work a round trip to Carlisle (the 7.40 southbound, 12.40 northbound).

Stanlow oil terminal on November 23rd provided a veritable feast of Class 25's with 25190 & 25192 and 25279 & 25325 on workings from Leeds and 25035 & 25072 from Dalston.

Retirement came in December, initially being stored at Leicester. On January 27th 1986 25072 was moved to Toton, where she would remain until October 1987 when preservation came to the now fortunate 25072.