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British Rail History D7629 (later to become 25279) was built by Beyer-Peacock at Gorton works, Gorton, Manchester. Beyer Peacock had built Diesel Hydraulics for the Western Region and also a batch of Class 17 "Clayton" Type 1s. BR actively pursued a dual-sourcing policy - the ability to buy supplies from multiple suppliers. Beyer-Peacock (B-P), were facing liquidation, so BR agreed to provide B-P with an order for a batch of BR/Sulzer Type 2 (later Class 25), locomotives. Consequently B-P were sent jigs, design materials and training materials to enable them to build the locomotives. As this was taking work from BR workshops at Derby, the scheme was subject to a great deal of Union blacking. The B-P batch started at D7624, and was originally for a total of 54 locomotives. However, Beyer Peacock subsequently entered liquidation and asked to be relieved of the D7660-7677 batch (that were subsequently built by BR Derby). The last B-P built locomotive is thus D7659 (Now owned by Pete Waterman). D7629 was delivered to BR on September 5th 1965. It went to Wath depot on the Eastern Region as one of a batch for working through freights to the Midland Region (whose crews were trained on the BR/Sulzer Type 2s, but not the Brush Type 2s (Class 31). The loco was later re-allocated to the Birmingham division, LMR and entered Derby works for Classified Repair and Dual Braking on 4th June 1969. It was outshopped on 21 August 1969.
D7629 Loco Repair History The table below shows the major overhaul history of D7629/25279. This also shows it's key allocations throughout its career.
25 279 was one of the very last of it's class in service, withdrawn in March 1987. It was moved to Berry's Scrapyard in Leicester before appearing on a BR Tender form in late 1987. The Sales Acceptance was issued by BR at Derby on 4th December 1987, at which point a new chapter in the locomotive's life was opened. It was purchased by Martin Bell for preservation on the Llangollen railway.
Major Component History As can be seen from the works reports above, parts were swapped between locomotives. Indeed, it was unusual for a locomotive to regain the same major component parts (bogies, engine, generator, turbo), as it had when it went into works. I have produced two diagrams that show the components that D7629/25279 hosted.
Post British Rail History After it's sale, 25279 was moved to Llangollen and restored to operation and green livery. In 1997 the loco went on-loan to the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway, then to the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway, before finally ending-up at the Northampton and Lamport railway in 1999. The loco was unable to return to the Llangollen Railway following the Llangollen's management decision to strictly limit the number of diesel locomotives based there. Unfortunately, during the hire period a number of faults developed on the locomotive; Defective turbocharger Cylinder head water transition leaks Cylinder Liner topseal leaks Other water leaks Worn brushes on auxiliary equipment. Main Generator flashover damage Rotten bodywork Defective buffers The locomotive was last used in December 1999. With no prospect of seeing his locomotive return to the Llangollen, Martin Bell felt he had no option but to offer the locomotive for sale in order to give the loco a chance for rectification of the faults and full restoration once more. I saw the loco for sale in RAIL magazine, issue 381 in April of 2000. I had been contemplating a loco purchase myself for some time, and D7629 was the right loco at the right time. I contacted Martin and arranged to visit Northampton to examine D7629. After an exhaustive examination and number of conversations with Martin, we agreed the sale of the loco. Martin and I continue to keep in-touch and I look forward to his being able to see the loco he saved from scrap running once more. D7629 was then moved to the Great Central Railway for initial restoration. Alleley's Heavy Haulage were contracted to move the locomotive by road. The loco moved on June 26th (2000). D8098 was used on June 27th to move the loco from the delivery point at Quorn to Loughborough, then to Rothley shed for work to begin on restoration. Thanks are due to the folks at Northampton and Lamport for their hard work in preparation for the move. I still am involved with the Type 1 Loco fleet (D8098, D5830, D1705), all based at the GCR. The friends I have in the group there have been fantastic in rallying around and pitching-in to assist with restoration tasks, help and advice. I'm also grateful for help from Martin, the other "Martins" at Llangollen, the lads from Boness, and The South Devon Diesel Group who have all offered help, manuals, parts and advice that will all go to returning the loco to service. I plan to keep the locomotive in the two-tone green livery that suits them so well. Mark Fowler (July 2000)
D7629/25 279 Data D7629 is privately owned by Mark Fowler. D7629 is a BR Designed Type 2 Diesel-Electric locomotive.
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