We now have the engine governor for 55002's No 1 engine. The engine governor has gone to Essex governor services for testing and any required repairs. This is a major step forward to returning 55002 to twin engine running. On behalf of the NRM and the Koyli group, we would like to thank the Deltic preservation society for the long term loan of this governor.
We now have almost everything for the loco, the only items missing are 2 battery box covers, if anyone knows of there whereabouts please can you e-mail the webmaster, webmaster'AT'55002koyli.com (replacing 'AT' with @).

Latest photos available here

28/7/10
Restoration
55002
Work on the loco since it was back in the workshop has seen the air tanks, exhausters and traction motor blower fitted into No 1 nose end. Work in No 2 nose end has seen the compressors painted as well as the walls and pipes.
Work on the engines in the next few weeks will see No 2 engine drained of coolant as it has a cracked coolant pipe that requires welding. We are at the same time going to remove all fuel, oil and coolant hoses and have 2 new engine sets made. The propshafts which drive the fans for cooling are also going away for overhaul.
Work continues on No 1 main generator and this should be completed in the next 6 weeks. We will then start on No 2 main generator.
The engines' silencers are to go away for crack-testing and repair and once back will be reunited with the boiler roof section.

18/7/10
Restoration
DPS
With D9009 on her holidays and a small group of volunteers on site today it was time to catch up with some odd jobs. The pit which had some water in it following D9009 wash, was pumped out and the pit cleaned. D9015 GCS (generator cut-out switch) had some adjustments following checks and repairs. The workshop area had a tidy.

15/7/10
D9009 moved to the Great Central Railway
On Monday 12th July D9009 moved from Barrow Hill to the Great Central Railway on low loader. The move went without any hitches and D9009 will spend the next few months working service trains, gala trains, driver experiences and a dinning train. Photos available here, see if you can spot the addition between Barrow Hill and joining the motorway.

12/7/10
Restoration
55002
Work this weekend saw a start on rebuilding No 1 nose end. The fire bottles were fitted as well as the air tanks which go under the traction motor blower and the exhausters. The traction motor and exhauster tables were then fitted. Work is continuing on painting No 2 nose end.

5/7/10
Restoration
DPS
The depot was a bit quieter today but focus was again on D9009. Alycidon’s roof, the exterior cab window frames and internally one side of the engine room was given a thorough clean, next week Alycidon will be outside to have her body and bogies washed. The Axle boxes have been put back together following the UAT last week. On D9015 some of the replacement cabling was being fitted.

28/6/10
Restoration
55002
As part of the on going restoration and raising funds to restore KOYLI the group have 500 copies of trainz simulator game on sale via the National Railway Museum shop. Please click here to see full details.

Restoration
DPS
The depot was a hive of activity this weekend. We had some new and returning volunteers inspecting and starting work on the spare power units with the intention to make one serviceable over the coming weeks/months. Power unit 439 after initial inspection has been chosen as the first power unit to be worked on so the generator has started to be stripped down and the crank case covers have been off to have a brief look at the internals. In the depot work focused on D9009 to sign off some final jobs and make sure Alycidon is ready for her holiday. Inside the fuel strainers have been out, checked, cleaned and refitted then we re-primed the fuel system. Some air release valves were changed and the scavenge blower oil strainers were also removed checked, cleaned and refitted. On the outside the axle box covers were being removed to take off the tab plates and ends caps so Alycidon could have her UAT on the Sunday. While the axle boxes are apart the opportunity has been taken to clean the end caps, bolts and tab plates and replace gaskets and tab plates that had seen better days. 55019 had her batteries on charge and bed plates on the public gangway side were drained. On D9015 some replacement cabling was being made up and more electrical component were being overhauled. In the workshop some of the conduit piping for Tulyar’s engine room lights have been stripped down and are in undercoat.
Sunday and Graham Werritt from SERCO came to the depot and did the UAT for Alycidon, which passed.
Photos from the two days are available here.

21/6/10
Restoration
DPS
The roofs on D9015 have started to be sanded down ready for a repaint. Some more of the electrical components were inspected, cleaned and electrical readings taken to see how well they work. On D9009 both oil scavenger strainers have been removed, examined, cleaned and refitted. The non return valve from hand priming pump on no.2 unit has been returned following repairs. Some additional brake checks and adjustments have been made. The orange warning stripes that were fitted to Alycidon to move on the mainline have been removed. The simulator in 9008 has been receiving electrical attention and operating checks.

12/6/10
Restoration
DPS
Apologies for late update for last weekend restoration report, very busy at work during and out of hours. We had a couple of visitors to the depot from the Great Central Railway who had come to look at D9009 and have some training on her. After initial inspection and static training Alycidon was taken out onto the demonstration line. In the depot D9015 had some of her electrical components inspected, cleaning and electrical readings to see how well they worked. The hinges for the jack sleeve covers were being fitted. The centre electrical cubicle at number two end had a top coat of paint. Photo's from last week are available here.

2/6/10
Restoration
DPS
Back to the daily routine following the successful Finsbury Park event. D9009 was over the pit for the final B exam checks and had her traction motors and brake rigging greased. The brushes on the traction motors were checked and are in good health. Upstairs and the side window frame covers were refitted and paint touch ups where needed in the cabs. Into the engine room and both engines on D9009 and 55019 had their oil tanks filled. Moving across to road 3 and Tulyar was having internal and some external electrical pipe work painted orange. Back on the ground and in the workshop the layout of Finsbury Park depot continues to take shape with testing of locos required of course. The B exam paperwork for 55019 and D9009 was being checked over and final jobs like cleaning have been put on the jobs cards for the following weeks.

55002
Work on Koyli saw No 1 main generator painted with anti tracking paint. The air filters for the nose ends were painted in gloss black, these will have the fibreglass inners fitted shortly.
A start was made on undercoating No 2 nose end, another tedious but necessary job!
The last of No 1 main generator brush holders have been cleaned and all of the rust removed. These now await fitting. We have ordered 100 new carbon brushes for the main generators, 80 to fit and 20 spare. It was felt by the group that by having new ones, the generators would be in the best possible condition (The old ones had about had it!). This has cost £2800 (we got a very good price from Morganite) Please put your hands in your pockets, so we can have more of your money to spend! Photo's are available here.

16/5/10
Finsbury Park Diesel Dawn
Well what an event, 2 Deltic’s and a class 31 operating, the throbbing sound of a Baby Deltic engine heard throughout the site, access to 3 Deltic cabs, the opportunity to drive a Deltic (simulator only but close enough), the release of the long awaited Finsbury Park book and much more, what else could you want from an event.
This event wasn’t put together in a few days, Ian started preparations last year and the volunteers started loco preparations just after Christmas and you can see the restoration reports to see what we’ve been up to. To give you an insight on the days leading up to and during the event I’ve got a brief jobs diary starting on Wednesday morning. The display area was changed to have many photo’s of Finsbury Park, 55021 nose doors and cab floors put together, the start of D9015’s cab rebuild, repaint the back wall to the forman’s office, Finsbury Park layout began and most importantly the beer arrived.
Thursday and throughout the day there was shunting of loco’s, organisation of the depot moving the A frame and other items to the signing on point area and tables were moved out. The forman’s office had another coat of paint, the wood for the OO gauge layout around the power units arrived and building began. Ian Lewis’s Finsbury Park book arrived, further track work on the Finsbury Park layout, D9015’s cab rebuild almost completed and one of 55021 cab windows fitted. During the loco shunting 55019 was used to move D9009 about the yard and developed a DSD fault.
Friday and 55019’s DSD fault was investigated and found to be a broken spring under one of the pedals which was repaired and she was put on the stock. The signs for the headboards and D9015 / 9008 numbers arrived, D9015 cab was completed (the instrument panel can be a real pain to fit), steps were moved against 55021 and D9015 cabs for public access, the layout around the power units was completed and the volunteers were soon distracted to have a play. The Finsbury Park layout track completed with some features, the depot floor was cleaned, D9009 and 55019 were topped up with oil and the simulator in 9008 was tested.
Saturday, the big day and 55019 decided she didn’t want to start because there wasn’t enough power in the batteries but the show must go on and 55019 was put on charge while in the depot the sales stand was set up. Ian Lewis, Neville Davies and John Smith formally opened the event in the DPS depot. Later on after the Baby Deltic power unit had been run up and entertained the public, 55019 managed to just start up and operated trains until after lunch and was changed with D9009. During the day Finsbury Park staff and Ian Lewis signed copies of the Finsbury Park book and at lunch time lined up in front of D9015 for a photo call. The rest day continued without a hitch.
Sunday and quickly a white stripe was put on 31128 to make it look original Finsbury Park before the gates opened to the public. The day goes without a hitch and at the end of play a quick shunt in the depot to put 55021 back on road 1, 55019 and D9009 on road 2 and Baby Deltic Projects 37372 left outside road 3.
So there you go, the volunteers are always kept busy but more are always welcome as they are needed. If you fancy joining these fun and games contact the VLO Mike Hallam-Rudd on vloATthedps.co.uk (replace AT with@) and he will give you the necessary details. Photo’s from the event are available here.

Finally if you haven’t fallen asleep it’s plug time. As mentioned above Ian Lewis’s Book “Finsbury Park, Diesel Maintenance Depot 1960 – 1983” is available from the DPS sales department. This book is 273 pages filled with some photos you may recognise but many are unpublished. It details the depot from the design and construction, locos based at the depot, the staff, operations, closure of the depot and much more. It’s well worth a good read and a definite one for the collection, for those who haven’t bought one yet it could make a good Fathers day present next month. But one question remains, what’s Ian’s next book going to be?

5/5/10
Restoration
DPS
The last few working weekends including the Easter working week have paid off for the volunteers who have put in so much time and effort today when the sweet sound of 4 Napier engines could be heard outside the DPS depot. 55019 and D9009 have been started for the first time this year and taken outside to complete their running and brakes checks as part of their B exams. Inside the depot preparations have been continuing for the Finsbury Park event next weekend, I won’t go into detail in this update as it will ruin some surprises so you’ll just have to come along and see for yourselves (hint hint, nudge nudge). Photo's of 55019 and D9009 outside are available here.

55022
Twin unit operation during the ELR Family Fun Weekend
55022 has been in action on both operational units during the East Lancs Railway 3 day “Family Fun Weekend” event. It is the 1st time Royal Scots Grey has worked on two units since August 2008 and Martin Walker reports everything has worked successfully. Please see Martin’s update with more detail on recent work carried out on Royal Scots Grey and future workings here. Photos from this weekend here.

26/4/10
Restoration
DPS
A bit more exam work today and lots of preparation for the Finsbury Park event. D9015 was having the body painted and the cabs were being built and painted. D9009 has had repairs completed to one of the roof panels. D9009 and 55019 have had both their cabs cleaned and batteries examinations completed. 55019 had her oil filters cleaned and checked. While RHF is currently over the pit as part of the exam the traction motors have had fresh grease and bogies checks have begun. In the workshop tidying of the tables and area continues. The experimental and naval power units have been washed. Heading outside 55008 has had her body rubbed down and a repaint has begun. Photo's are available here.

55002
More work continued on Koyli this weekend which has seen No2 engine's air in-take system completed to a very high standard. No1 engine's main generator has now been cleaned out and awaits anti-tracking paint to be applied. Work continued on the nose end air filters which have been completely stripped down cleaned and re-painted.

18/4/10
Restoration
DPS
Apologies this update is a week late. On Saturday the 10th April was the final day of the Easter working week and here is what has been happening during the week. 55019 and D9009 were having their B exams and work from their maintenance/repairs sheets. D9009 B exam was nearly complete apart from final electrical cleaning, bogies and running checks. 55019 exam was about two thirds complete with some final mechanical, electrical, bogies and running checks required. D9015 had welding work to complete the body for the Finsbury Park event. She also had some more wiring checks and cables not up to standard removed, painting in the engine room, centre electrical cubicles and one of the cabs was being prepared to be open to the public during the Finsbury Park event. The depot had maintenance and tidying done, and during the week to move items around the depot while the public weren’t on site. The coach also had some wiring checks.

8/4/10
Finsbury Park Diesel Dawn at Barrow Hill

25/3/10
Restoration
55002
Last weekend saw lots of people visit the cab of No 2 during the cab-it weekend held at the NRM. Thanks to Steve Smedley for manning the cab and spreading the word to visitors.
More work continued on the loco, seeing "A" side air box cover refitted and No 2 engine "trouser leg"and 90 degree elbow fitted back onto the blower of this engine. Considerable work as being done to both scavenge blowers and air in-take systems of the loco.
The loco should enter the workshops during the 1st week of June, the plan being to remove the boiler and then start fitting the loco out with all components removed last year and fit the radiators and silencers to the roof sections.

17/3/10
Restoration
DPS
This week work was happening on all three deltic’s. On Tulyar the day started off with the external body skin having a fresh coat of undercoat paint then further body work treatment. Another jack sleeve cover was being trial fitted. In the workshop the second compressor was started to be painted in primer but due to the compressor being to cold the paint was not setting so this was abandoned until another day. The switch gear that has been removed from Tulyar was being checked and cleaned. 55019 batteries were checked, two cells were topped up with deionised water then the batteries were put on charge for the day. D9009 has had her prop shafts and prop shaft couplings checked and investigation as to why one of the power units has fuel dilution continues. Photo’s are available here.

10/3/10
Restoration
55002
Work continued on fitting foam to the air intake system and also saw the "trouser leg" and 90 degree elbow fitted to No2 engine. The bottom of "B" side battery box was cut out and made ready for welding in new metalwork when the loco goes into the workshop. All of the brush boxes from No2 generator have being cleaned, they will be receiving new brushes when they are re-fitted to the generator. Half of the air filters from the nose ends have being stripped down to the bare frames and will be painted and fitted with a fibre material in due course.

2/3/10
Restoration
DPS
A small group of volunteers in the morning but the numbers were boosted in the afternoon. 55019 was having its lights checked, the lenses on the instrument panels have been cleaned, some bulbs have been identified for replacement and further work will continue on the next working party. D9015 was having electrical checks and the locks for the jack sleeve covers were being trial fitted. In the workshop Tulyars cleat boxes were being cleaned of the thick dirt. In the coach some of the roof panels were being refitted following recent electrical work.

55002
Two working volunteers on KOYLI and efforts were focused on number one generator. Number five brush box was removed and all the pots were measured, these were found to be at some variable sizes but not unexpected. The pots were then smashed off because they are glued onto the poles. The remains of the glue and bits of the pots left on the poles is currently being removed ready for the new pots to be fitted. Photo’s from Sunday are available here.

23/2/10
Restoration
55002
Yesterday saw a working party on Koyli which involved a start on repairs to A side battery box. This side has corroded on the bottom which requires cutting out the rot and replacing with new metal. B side battery box is ok and was painted with primer.
Work started on a light repair to No 1 generator, with the removal of all of the brush boxes. This generator is in a filthy condition, the brush boxes require cleaning as does the commutator, V ring and the replacement of all of the insulating pots, as they are cracked. We also need to replace all of the brushes from the generator and this isn't cheap. We had a quote last year at £52 per set and we require 40 sets. Please dig deep into your pockets!
The air intake box as now being painted into gloss and looks well! And made the engine room brighter. Photo’s from this weekend are available here.

16/2/10
Restoration
DPS
Two new volunteer’s onsite this week along with a small group of volunteers. D9009 has had some of the door locks repaired. D9015 had the third and final field divert relay number 1 removed. The centre electrical cubicle at number one end was painted with grey varnish. Number two end had the three motor contactors removed, all six motor contactors and three field divert relays are now ready to be cleaned and tested prior to being refitted. Some of the jack sleeve covers were temporarily fitted while adjustments are made to make sure they have the best fit. In the coach the electrics work is nearing an end. Photo’s are available here.

ELR’s East Coast Theme Day
55022 and D9016 operated on the ELR’s East Coast Theme Day last weekend. Both locos have been reported to have worked smoothly as planned. The plan for the two locos is now to give them a thorough cleaning and then to remove the operational unit from D9016 and take to the owners premises. From their, the unit will receive overhauled fuel pumps and injectors, new hoses and filters, a thorough clean and inspection, fitting of new seals to the generator and a fresh coat of paint. Photo’s are available here.

10/2/10
Restoration
DPS
The regular team of volunteers at Barrow Hill and it’s the start of winter maintenance. D9009 had a leaking driver windscreen, this windscreen has been removed and will soon be resealed and refitted. Tulyar’s overhaul is continuing and motor contactors 1, 2 and 3 plus field divert relays 2 and 3 have been removed. Field divert relay 1 will be removed next week and this gives us chance to check the current cabling and check the electrical cubicles. While these components are out they will be checked, repaired if necessary then tested before re-fitment. The body work has had more filling and sanding. Photo’s are available here.