The BR class 22 type of diesel hydraulic locomotives was confined to the Western Region but MIAC has been unable to locate any photographs of the class actually in use in Worcestershire. The 58 locomotives of class 22 were built by North British from 1959 onwards and fitted with NBL or MAN engines and Voith-NBL transmissions. They were of the mixed duty 'type 2' classification.
Phil Bullock has provided three observation notes that confirm that a few of the class were active in the county for short periods (the actual dates not yet confirmed):
No.D6331 was seen on a permanent way train at Abbotswood where it came off the Worcester line on 20th June 1970 having presumably either brought the train from Newland or came on at Worcester. It came across the junction onto the down main and then - clonk clonk bang! It expired with its train across the junction probably the strain of coming so far north! It was a locomotive regularly seen at Gloucester so perhaps they were desperate that day. On the same day Phil also saw D1002 'Western Explorer" probably on 1M72 (Plymouth-Manchester) (which presumably it took over at Birmingham New Street) and D845 'Sprightly' possibly on the Malago vans. He also noted 2 class 35's, 13 Peaks and 4 class 47's
On the Lickey Incline web site (www.lickeyincline.com) are two photographs taken at Bromsgrove around 1969 showing D6331 on a freight train (thanks to Phil Bullock for spotting this item). No further details are known about the train it is working.
No.D6342 on an inspection saloon at Shrub Hill one lunch time - before it was incarcerated on shed!
And another class member running light - southbound - at Spetchley, the number escapes him but presumably got at least as far north as Bromsgrove.
Phil also advises of the following observation recorded by 'Railblue' at www.railblue.com/timeline/#1967
"On the 23rd of the month (December 1967) , passengers on the 13.15 Paddington-Worcester suffer a frustrating time when their locomotive, Warship, 842 Royal Oak fails just outside the capital and is replaced by Class 47 locomotive No.1664 George Jackson Churchward. The 47 works as far as Oxford where the machine meets the same fate as the Warship. The service eventually reaches its destination behind Class 22 No. 6336." The MIAC has no independent confirmation of this information but if accurate would probably be the first and only time a Class 22 locomotives was used on a passenger train in Worcestershire. This note also provides a perfect excuse for a photograph of the nameplate of No.D1664 taken by Andrew Smith at Gloucester in 1973. A photograph of D842 appears here.
Keith Riley made observations of class 22 locomotives at Worcester during the period from August 1969 to June 1970 and noted four examples during this period. He twice saw D6310 and D6320 arriving from the south doubling heading ballast trains, the date is unrecorded but Keith thinks probably in Autumn 1969. Both locomotives were in green livery with small yellow panels and might well have come from the Gloucester area. Keith also saw D6348 (possibly green livery) and on another instance D6354 in blue livery although he is unable to remember on what duties were being operated by these locomotives.
After withdrawal a few examples made their way to Worcester for storage.