D7541 “The Diana” arrives at the SOUTH DEVON RAILWAY
D7541 “The Diana” arrives by road | Photo © M. Mitchelmore 2011 |
South Devon Diesel Traction has sold its class "20" 20 118 “Saltburn by Sea” to HNRC Ltd and it is presently on the North Norfolk Railway for their diesel gala.
The reason for the sale is that a double cab locomotive is more suitable for the SDR and when D7541 became available it was too good an offer to let pass.
Peter Burrow of SDDT has said “While sad to see 20118 leave our fleet, we feel it is going to a good home and wish its new owners all the best for the future.”
D7541 isn’t a runner at the moment but, based on previous projects such as 33 002 and 09 010, the expectation is that SDDT will get it fully restored to their usual high standards.
Here is a potted history of D7541 (25191)
D7541 new to the Nottingham division April 1965 and stayed a Midland loco for the rest of its days on BR mainly doing local trip workings, passenger services etc.
In February 1969 it had its first visit to Derby Works for a intermediate repair and fitting of snow plough brackets.
On 24-4-1974 it received its BR TOPS number 25191.
On 12-5-1985 it worked from Tyseley to the Great Western Society Depot at Didcot with the replica Iron Duke plus wagon.
On 27-7-1986 worked with 25181 on 1Z36 06.12 Wolverhampton to Littlehampton “The Coastway Crusader” from Bristol Temple Meads, however 25181 was failed at Andover after returning from Luggershall with bad wheel flats and shifted tyres. 33011 replaced 25181 from Andover to Salisbury via Woking, East Putney, Clapham Jct, Brixton, Tulse Hill, Wimbledon, Dorking, Bognor Regis, Littlehampton, Havant and Eastleigh.
Departed Littlehampton 18.15; 1 hour 25 minutes late. At Salisbury 37046 and 37117 replaced 33011 (which had become low on fuel) then all three locos worked to Bristol Temple Meads
25191 ended its days allocated to Crewe Diesel Depot.
On 17-3-1987 its last outing was working over the Cambrian line with a inspection special 2Z01 from Crewe making this the last class 25 working over the line.
The next day 25191 was allocated a trip working on Crewe CE74 and was withdrawn from service at 19.00 that evening having done only 3 hours work.