45149 was originally numbered D135, built at Crewe works and entering traffic in December 1961 painted in lined BR green livery with small yellow warning panels. Initially allocated to Derby shed, it was transferred to Cricklewood in June 1964 and Toton from May 1966 where it spent much of its time on Midland Main Line duties. When electrically heated coaches were introduced to the St Pancras –
Sheffield services D135 became the penultimate of 50 class 45s to have the steam heating boiler replaced with a Brush Electric Train Heat auxiliary generator. By now painted in standard BR blue livery, it emerged from works during January 1975 carrying the TOPS number 45149. During its next overhaul in 1979, 45149 lost its original headcode boxes in favour of a flush front end and sealed beam headlights and it continued to work Midland line expresses until HSTs were introduced to the route in 1982. The class 45/1s then found new work on Trans Pennine duties until this too was lost in 1987, this time to Sprinter DMUs.
45149 ended its days allocated to Tinsley depot and carrying the unofficial name ‘Phaeton’. It was withdrawn on 14th September 1987 with a traction motor defect and spent long periods of storage at Cricklewood and Leicester before being offered for sale in 1993. It was purchased by Pete Waterman and moved firstly to Heysham and then Crewe Heritage Centre for restoration. However no work was carried out on the locomotive before it was reoffered for sale in 1996. It was then purchased by the Cotswold Mainline Diesel Group and moved to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway in April 1997. Much progress has been made with the restoration since then, including overhaul of the power unit and electrical machines, repairs to under floor equipment and traction motors, extensive cab refurbishment and bodywork repairs. A major step forward in 2008 saw the power unit reinstalled in the locomotive for the first time in 15 years. The group is now at the stage where reassembly of the loco with all the overhauled components is taking place. However much still needs to be done and funds need to be raised for the purchase of more materials.
