55022 and D9002 stand side by side in the shed
Review of 2005
January
8th January
News on D9000
Martain Walker advises plans are now well in place for some repair work, inspection, transit move certification, ultrasonic axle tests etc. to be carried out week beginning 17th January, it is then hoped that Royal Scots Grey will be hauled to Barrow Hill in the first few days of the following week.
20th January
DPSCS Press release
55022 Royal Scots Grey Move
Movement exams for No.22 were completed today at Hornsey and the locomotive is now fit to move once again.
It is hoped that 40145 will be used to take the Deltic to Barrow Hill. Although nothing is fully confirmed as yet, it is possible that the 40 will depart Old Oak Common at 10.00 AM on Tuesday to Hornsey. The convoy will then leave as a VSTP movement to Barrow Hill the same day.
Thanks go to the Class 40 Preservation Society for their assistance in this move.
Please note that, as per any weekday, the Barrow Hill site and Deltic Depot will not be open to any visitors.
February
55022 arrives at Barrow Hill
A few pictures of new resident to the DPS shed at Barrow Hill 55022, these pictures were taken on the 29th January by James Whincup.
55022 and D9002 stand side by side in the shed
Thanks & Best Wishes,
Martin Walker...
55019 on Loadbank
These are two photos by Pete Sargieson of 55019 on the loadbank test 28th February. 55019 was to be said be in good working order but currently needs some tuning and will have a further loadbank test sometime in the future.
March
Second chance at Sheffield
AGM
The Deltic Preservation Society held its annual general meeting on the 5th March, which included the second Lord Nelson memorial lecture and the DPS annual auction
Sheffield Railwayana Auctions sold another Deltic worksplate. This plate was off 55017 THE DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY, it was lot number 138 and sold for £2800.
April
24th April
23rd April
55019 first railtour
The first Deltic tour of this year and what a way to start, 55019 started going up the ECML extremely well with both power units singing away to the great delight to all those on the train and at line side.
Unfortunatly though just after Berwick-upon-Tweed problems started to develop on 55019 and the train started to loose time and as we approached Edinburgh it was noticed that one power unit was not running smoothly. Whilst waiting for the return train at Waverley news spread that 55019 was failed owing to suspected problems with the fuel governor on one power unit.
Royal Highland Fusilier was then towed back dead in transit on the back of the train, 67 013 was the thunderbird sent to take the train back to Kings cross.
Comiserations go to the DPS and many volunteers who worked on 55019 to get it ready in time for the tour that weekend. Pictures of the tour can be found here.
55019 Returns to Barrow Hill
55019 returned back to Barrow Hill but not on the original advised route, the Deltic took a detour heading straight up the ECML from Ferme Park leaving at Grantham and travelling through Nottingham along the Trowell Branch to join the Erewash Valley main line at Trowell Junction.
May
June
July
55022 thinking to 2006
August DPS Members Day Excursion October 1st
September
DPS October Excursion Cancelled The facts are as follows: DPS Publicity Director Nigel Paine said "I'm afraid that it really is a case of 'use it or lose it'. In the near future the DPS is faced with a bill of at least £20K per locomotive to fit On-Train Monitoring and Recording Equipment (OTMR) which, like TPWS, it is not transferable between locos. The enthusiast is unlikely ever to see a fleet of Network Rail certified Deltics; they should be grateful that they are able to travel behind any at all. There have been and always will be a dedicated band of people who want to travel behind Deltics, to these people we give our hearty thanks. Unfortunately there aren't enough of these types to make our charters financially viable at the moment."
Barrow Hill Mini Gala
Barrow Hill held it's mini gala and as usual the DPS opened its doors to the public to come and view their locos. Thanks to DPS volunteers we were able to get some very good pictures for the website and they were very helpful with our queries. View photos here, these were all taken on the camera of my mobile phone so this is a new method of photography for me and the website.
South Devon Railway
55019 spent the weekend of the 11th and 12th at the South Devon Railway and did a couple of runs up and down the line.
55019 Second Tour
Another successful tour as 55019 went from Preston, Havant to Salisbury and return, keeping to the advertised times most of the way. Lots of blue smoke produced by the Deltic (well done drivers) and we made it all the way this time so well done to Simon and all volunteers involved in getting 55019 running. Well done has to go to Guy from the DPS who produced a good route for travellers on the day. The shop and raffle also did well on the train, raising lots of funds for the DPS.
A number of bystander's on London's suburban stations looked surprised to see a diesel locomotive passing and not something electric, it was funny to see their faces and watch them pointing at the train. So overall a good day was had by all and now writing this post at 12:14am i'm going to bed! I will put some photos on the site later today. Photos can be found by clicking here.
The start of 2006 looks to be a very good time for Deltic touring as plans are being announced to use Royal Scots Grey on two mainline tours with the operation run by Pathfinder.
The first tour for 55 022 is scheduled for the 28th January with a route from Liverpool, York, Carlilsle (via S & C), across and around the curve at Newcsatle, back to York and onwards to Liverpool.
Additionally on the 25th February should see 40 145 and 55 022 operating Rawtenstall to Whitby in top and tail mode.
We can't wait to see Royal Scots Grey on these mainline tours and we wish Martin the best of luck.
Society Update
KOYLI
Work has commenced on an interim repaint of 55002 King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. When the Deltic was passed in DPS care by the National Railway Museum it was agreed that it be made to look more presentable.
This work is being carried out by a limited number of volunteers in order that current work on Tulyar, the spares, Depot, etc is not interrupted. No mechanical work will be carried out for the time being.
It is hoped that the repaint will be completed in time for Members Day on 11th September.
The DPS will be holding a members day on Sunday September 11th. This is to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the naming of 55019 Royal Highland Fusilier. The Regiment will be attending the event for a rededication ceremony. The Deltic will be running in the afternoon, the Depot will be open, auction, sales stand, BBQ and the 55008 train simulator will be in action. Admission is free to DPS members; there will be a £5 admission fee for non-members (under 12's free).
The DPS third excursion of the year will be running from Kings Cross (Hertford Loop), Stevenage and Peterborough running forward to Leeds and York. There will be a mini tour from York to York via the Harrogate Loop with the main excursion retracing its steps. It is intended for the tour to have 'sociable timings'. It will depart after the first service arrives from Newcastle and return in time to connect with the last service from Kings Cross.
A booking form and fare details may be downloaded from the Society website www.thedps.co.uk or by writing to DPS, October Excursion, 49 Wallace Binder Close, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6LG enclosing a SAE.
DPS Members Day
Once again the DPS pulled off another great event. The day saw the reddedication ceremony of 55019 by the Royal Highlander Fusilier Regiment. Later on 55019 worked on the demonstration train with 55002 toping and tailing the train. 55002 worked the train brake with 55019 propelling. Also 55015 was on show with its nose painted to show the end result of the loco once all the body work has been complete. Plus 55022 was on display and the body work is near completion. The day also saw a raffle, a seal bid auction plus a very popular BBQ. Many happy faces seen to be enjoying the day and you can find photos by clicking here.
It is with regret that the Deltic Preservation Society (DPS) has announced the cancellation of its October charter, due to a number of factors including a lack of bookings which meant that it was no longer financially viable. The DPS board had agreed at the planning stage for this charter that it would not be run unless bookings were sufficient at 21-days before the charter date to avoid losing money. The DPS is not in a position to run charters simply for the sake of running locos on the 'main line'; keeping locos registered is expensive and time consuming and whilst the Society never expects to view charters as a significant income, it cannot run them at a loss.
It has been accepted by the DPS that tours also need to be attractive to the general public. Furthermore advertising has been hampered by the timing of the tour announcement and the previous policy of giving members priority booking.
· We were almost £10K short of break-even with three weeks to go.
· Bookings had dried up, indeed from 8th - 11th September only 1 booking was received!
· The allocated London departure and arrival times would not meet the first train in from the North, or the last one out. This would have resulted in the cancellation of some seats, reducing the income further.
Cancelling the charter has resulted in the DPS incurring costs for loss of TOC deposits and advertising fees. The Kings Cross to York charter would have covered a classic Deltic route north to Leeds, as well as the Harrogate Circle - this route was planned as a result of feedback and requests after the July charter.
The DPS Board will now undertake a full review of future charter plans and as a result has also cancelled the charter planned for December 29th.
The DPS will be contacting its members via the Society journal 'Deltic Deadline' to seek their views on charters and all aspects of ongoing locomotive registration. This 'forum' will be extended to other enthusiasts thereafter.
October The Deltic Preservation Society has announced that it is to run a railtour on 28th December 2005 using the only Deltic presently registered for Network Rail operation. After a period of consultation with its membership following the cancellation of the 1st October railtour, the Society has decided to run the railtour from the Midlands with and ticket prices aimed to suit 'day out' railtourers. The route, timings and stock have been offered by FM Rail at a price not to be missed and this is reflected directly in the ticket price offered. Such a low price (just £29 for a Standard fare) means that there will be no Child fare for this excursion although the under-12's will be offered a small gift on the train. The Adult fare equates with many Child fares on excursions organised by other operators. The train will depart from Derby at around 09.00 and return by around 19.00 giving passengers from further afield ample time to get to and from the departure points. Picking up at Chesterfield, Sheffield and York it will travel over the Pennines to Manchester via Copy Pit. There will be ample simple food, snacks and drinks as well as '55005' bottled beer and a plentiful supply of draught beers on the train. This is the final opportunity to travel behind a Deltic locomotive before it becomes necessary to fit OTMR. The DPS will decide whether to fit OTMR as a direct result of the response to this railtour. It is hoped that D9009 Alycidon will be the first DPS locomotive to be fitted with OTMR. If this proves to be popular with railtourers it is likely that D9015 Tulyar will follow and finally 55019 if economically viable. It is very likely that this will be the last opportunity to travel behind 55019 on Network Rail for some considerable time hence the tour title. A booking form and fare details may be downloaded from the Society website www.thedps.co.uk or by writing to DPS RAILTOURS, 49 Wallace Binder Close, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6LG enclosing a SAE. Telephone booking facilities are also available between 1900 and 2130 Monday to Friday on 01621 857425
Deltic Follower reaches 10,000 Visitors Community Rail Festival
Fusilier Farewell on the 28th December 2005
DON'T THINK ABOUT IT, BOOK IT
55019 and 55005 work at Barrow Hill Diesel Gala
Barrow Hill held it's annual Diesel Gala this weekend and during day the 55019 and 55005 hauled trains triple headed with 31110 and a class 20 on the back of the train. Yes you did just read the last sentence right 55005 was their (aka 55002) being hauled on the train dead in tow, the loco had number and magnet nameplates to create the effect. Some interesting photos were created as 19 blew out large amounts of clag as it departed Barrow Hill Station, much to the delight of many visitors and photographers.
The Deltic Depot was open to visitors and the opportunity to buy tickets for the December tour was not missed. The chance to visit 55002 cab was also available once 55019 and 55002 had finished working on the trains. Tulyar was on display at the front of the depot and 55022 showed progress with its new body skin being applied.
Photos can be found Clicking here.
The Deltic Follower site has now had 10,000 vistors and to celebrate this, we have introduced an updated homepage and new feature to the website. In the Barrow Hill Diesel Gala Gallery (and future gallery's) you can now enlarge photos when you click on them. This is the first improvement to the website and in the future there will be more to come.
Below is a photo of 55019 at Norwich when it attended the Community Rail Festival event over the weekend of 24th and 25th October.
The view out of Doncaster
Photo by ada
Photo by ada
November 55022 January comeback cancelled
NRM Cab It Weekend
60009 visits Barrow Hill
RSGs 2006 Calender
55019 and 55002 travel to the NRM
55019 and 55002 have been moved from Barrow Hill to the National Railway Museum for its Cab It event this weekend. The convoy was hauled by a Fragonset Merlins 47 712, then Fragonset Merlins new Pullman liveried coach with the two Deltics on the rear. 55002 has had its name plates removed for the move and this is the first time it has run in blue livery on the main line without nameplates. Two photos show the convoy passing Doncaster, arriving at 11:35 and leaving Doncaster station at 11:43, they are located here.
It has been announced on the Pathfinder webiste that 55022 debute back to mailine service has been cancelled due to the loco not being reading in time. The same tour though has been rebooked for June 24th doing the same route planned for January and is becoming known as 55022 "second come back in main line preservation".
The DPS had a busy weekend with the cab of D9009 being open to the public, 55019 on display in the back yard, the simulator in 55008 cab running and the DPS sales stand. Alycidons cab proved to be very popular with queues at the door while 55019 really stood out next to the NRMs 31. Also on display in the Great hall was 55002 taken with 55019 the previous day and was placed on the turntable over the weekend. View some photos by clicking here.
A4 steam loco UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA visited Barrow Hill on its main line tour and to celebrate this D9009 and 60009 were linned up to a very cold audience of photographers. The A4 arrived on the Barrow Hill Site at 16:30 with a loud entrance of continuous whistling and moaning of hurray its finally here from photographers. View the days activities by clicking here
This is A3 landscape sized and made from the usual high quality materials. It is available from Beaver Sports priced at £10.00, plus £2.00 postage and packing.
To order please send a cheque for £12.00 payable to Beaver Sports Ltd. Together with your name and address to Beaver Sports Ltd., Flint Street, Fartown, Huddersfield, HD1 6LG. Alternatively to order by telephone and pay using most types of credit or debit card, please call Freephone 08000-524242 between 09.00 and 18.00 monday to friday.
Many thanks to all who sent in photographs for inclusion this year. Locos featured are 9, 16, 8. 19. 4, 10, 21, 15 and of course 22.
Additionally it is unlikely that 55 022 will be taking part in the Rawtenstall to Whitby railtour on the 3rd of June. Also Pathfinder are now advising that 55 022 will operate a railtour on March the 11th next year, providing all goes well with planning and getting the work completed on the loco. This should run from Crewe via Stafford/Birmingham/Nuneaton/Leicester and Peterborough to Kings Cross returning the same route. Fingers crossed all will be OK!!
RSG last wednesday evening, at last beginning to look like a loco!!
December
Fusilier Farewell
55019 ran its last(?) main line tour "The Fusilier Farewell" starting at a bitterly cold Derby station, then to Chesterfield, Sheffield and York with a circular tour of the Pennines, returning to Derby on the same route. 19 had brought the stock from Barrow Hill the night before the tour so there was plently of opportunity for people to take photos before boarding the train.
The tour proved to be very successful and was enjoyed by all blue faces on the train experiencing the very cold temperatures outside from many an open window. Luckly for passenger on this excursion the latest DPS sales item was to hand, this being a new beanie hat with the DPS logo and website. This item proved to be very popular as you could not get away from these hats all day.
Many thanks to all DPS members who worked so hard to prepare the loco and assisting on the day.
A few images have been added to the site click here to view them.