45015: A potted History | Frequently Asked Questions | Restoration Plan

D14 was built at British Railways Derby Works, part of Lot No D2275 for 20 Locomotives (D11-D30), Order number D9650 for locomotives D11-D20. Originally outshopped in on 24th November 1960 in BR Green livery. When built, the engine had nose end access doors, similar to the Class 44 and other very early Class 45's, with a split box headcode panel (one box either side of the door). The connecting doors never saw useful service as it was found during experiments with Class 44's that the long bogies caused the nose ends to swing so much that the connecting doors were pulled apart.

The loco was involved in a serious collision at Hellifield on the 24/8/68, where No 2 cab was badly damaged. She was sent for repair at Derby Works a week later, emerging from Derby on the 28th February 1969 in BR Blue as no 14. During this works visit the headcode boxes and doors were removed and replaced with the single centre headcode panel. The panels were removed during a 1982 works overhaul after the end of headcode reporting on engines in 1976, and the plain nose with two marker lights was fitted instead.

45015 and others at Severn Tunnel Junction, 1985 (Andy Smith)

As D14, the loco was delivered to Derby (17A) depot, but by the end of December was transferred to Leeds Holbeck (55A) for crew training. So began a 23 year association with the Eastern Region.Allocation shuffles over 1961/2 winter saw the loco move to Neville Hill (55H), Gateshead (52A), Neville Hill again and finally back to Holbeck in December 1962. When Holbeck (HO) lost its main line locomotive allocation in May 1978, 45015 (renumbered in March 1974 under the TOPS programme) was reallocated to York (YK) for a short time, and thence to Tinsley (TI) in March 1979. Her final move was in March 1984 to Toton (TO) in Nottinghamshire where she remained until withdrawal in March 1986.

Withdrawal was caused by a siezed traction motor, (for which repairs were not authorised) whilst working in the Leeds area, resulting in the removal of the leaf springs from one axle in order to place a wheel skate under the wheels so she could make one final journey from Holbeck to Toton at 25mph