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BR Derby Type 2 - Class 25 Locomotives
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Class 25/0 - 25002 (5152) at Wibdenshaw. This is a conversion using the Bachmann Class 24 with
added Hornby headcode boxes, removal of one underslung tank, discs removal and filling in the
recesses.
25002 on the headshunt at Pudsey Junction stabling point, Wibdenshaw.
Class 25/0 number D5153 is seen with a rake of 24.5 ton mineral wagons. This model is a
conversion from a Bachmann Class 24/1.
Class 25/1 - 25027 (5177) at Shenston Road. A Bachmann Class 25 with major alterations to the solebar area.
By the next morning the saloon has headed off early into darkest West Wales as Ebbw Junction
regular 5180 works a special freight back to Margam Yard in between its booked duty back east.
BR Sulzer type 2 number 5193 is seen here waiting at the signal for the road ahead. This
is one of the Eastwell fleet locomotives. It's a double motored Hornby Class 25, numbered
to a pre-TOPS example from a photograph dated early 1970s. The numerals at each end are
of a different font on this side of the loco.
25043 (5193) - Another Bachmann model from the Shenston Road fleet.
A brace of BR type 2 locomotives 7576 & 5189 (Bachmann) head a long rake of empty
21 ton hopper wagons back to the Midland Region at Hornsey Broadway.
Late 1970s 25 047 (5197) for Canada Street is a Hornby model finished with light weathering.
Bachmann Class 25 at Shenston Road exchange sidings.
Canada Road - A rarely photographed model is 25 052 (5202), a re-work of the Hornby Class 25.
Currently it has two of the original 3-pole Ringfield bogies fitted, which gives good
load hauling, but not such good slow speed performance. This has limited its use on
Canada Road, and a conversion to a single 5-pole power bogie is planned.
Green D5204 was modelled to a picture from 1965, and reflects the era before depot washing
plants were common, and locomotive cleaning in general had been minimised in an attempt to cut costs. This
particular loco would have carried the GSYP livery from new, and retained it until 1969 at least, but would
have probably had self-adhesive datapanels applied around that time.
D5204 is pictured again, this time running through Easington Lane station, with the Blue
Circle depot busy in the background and a Met Cam 101 awaiting the timetable. The weathering
of the bodysides was done with Humbrol matt varnish heavily tinted with a mix of matt Dark
Earth and Black. This was applied with a brush, and worked to remove any obvious brush strokes
before it dried. As it dried, the windows, yellow panels, and other small areas, were
selectively ‘cleaned’ with a smaller brush or cotton buds loaded with clean white spirit.
I find this technique works best if completed quickly, and in quite large panels, to avoid
‘tide lines’ between work areas. It is definitely one to practice on scrap stock before
attempting a prized model. Overall
it worked well on D5204, and the final effect captures the character of the prototype I feel.
A new addition to the Canada Street fleet, a Class 25/1 model based on a Hornby body - Bachmann
combination for the 1969-1974 period, up to the adoption of TOPS numbering.
Bachmann later body style D5233 at Shenston Road.
7551 & D7668 are seen hauling a coal train towards East London. These two Heljan models head
up a few snaps taken at the lineside showing some of the visiting motive power at Hornsey Broadway.
Class 25/1 for the late ‘70s, a further example is underway using
more parts from the stock shelf. D7577 wore this livery from 1968 to 1972, and moved from
the Midland to the Western region during the same period.
25 242 (7592) was Canada Road's first Hornby/Bachmann hybrid, as featured in Rail Express
magazine when first completed. Since then it has proved a reliable performer, seeing use
on Canada Road, Wibdenshaw and Easington Lane at various times. Modelled to a photo of it
rolling through Manchester Victoria on a mixed freight, it always brings back good memories
of those carefree 70s summer days sat on the platform end GPO trolley…..
Class 25/2 Hornby conversion D7629 has been treated to new flush-glazing and a Hornby
5-pole mechanism, and looks set to become a 'Canada Road' regular at shows.
25274 (7624) at Hebble Vale Goods is a Hornby body on a Bachmann chassis.
A pair of Pete Johnson's modified Hornby Class 25s at Wibdenshaw. The adaptations involved
have previously been the subject of a feature within Rail Express magazine No.102 - November 2004.
