It's not often that a diesel features on this blog, mainly as their presence is reserved for when the beloved steam engines have an off day if I'm honest! However, I will make a special exception on this occasion for the Deltic. Whilst sat tapping away in the office earlier this morning as the November elements buffeted the windows, a trail of steam heralded the unexpected passing by of "Scots Guardsman". The rebuilt Scot was bound for its home at WCRC's Carnforth depot. Unfortunately I hadn't heard about this move, hence me missing it! I then heard that the Deltic D9000 "Royal Scots Grey" was on its way back to Crewe after working a Saphos job and that its passing was imminent. I wasn't long out on the lawn when the growling Napier engines came into earshot on the wind. Seconds later, the immaculate Deltic came rumbling past me light engine, proudly wearing the winged thistle headboard which the class wore when hauling the 'Flying Scotsman' train. She then disappeared into the gloom.
British Rail's Class 55 eventually numbered 22 examples, of which 6 survive today. They were successful and very powerful machines, outputting 3300hp and being well capable of achieving 100mph. The class remained at the forefront of ECML passenger service until the Intercity 125s started to appear in 1978. I believe that the Deltics were in effect eventually let down by their successful but complicated engine design, meaning that they required costly specialist maintenance and therefore they became unattractive once sidelined. Today they remain popular with diesel enthusiasts and nobody should underestimate their contribution to British railway history. D9000 herself was built in 1961 and was one of the last three Deltics to be withdrawn, in January 1982. It was lovely to see the growling Deltic today, and looking so well kept too!...
Please note that the above image was taken from land outside of the NR boundary fence.
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