Class 55
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55022 in the guise of 55003 MELD passes Forteviot with the 5Z55 Inverness - Polmadie sleeper stock move on 27/03/15 Photo by RabbyB
History
Twenty-two Class 55 "Deltics" were built by English Electric in 1961-62 to operate express passenger services on the East Coast Main Line from London King's Cross to Edinburgh.These 100mph locomotives were powered by two 1650hp Napier 'deltic' engines, and at 3300hp were the most powerful diesel locomotives in the British Rail fleet.
Eight of the Deltics were based at Haymarket depot (64B), the others shared between Finsbury Park (34G), London and Gateshead (52A), on Tyneside.
All were named; the Gateshead and Haymarket locos were named after regiments of the British Army, while the Finsbury Park locos were named after winning racehorses, following an LNER tradition.
Decline
From May 1979, the new timetable introduced HSTs on to all daytime King's Cross - Scotland services and Deltics found themselves reduced to semi-fast services between London and York and Hull, whilst continuing on the overnight sleeper services.
At this time the Haymarket and Gateshead based Deltics were transferred to York.
However, this period did see regular use north of Edinburgh to Aberdeen for the first time.
January 1980 saw the first Deltics condemned, although most of the class lasted until December 1981.
The most remarkable workings of the last full year saw 55021 used twice on Edinburgh to Oban 'Merrymaker' excursions formed of E&G push-pull stock. This operated on Sundays 2nd and 23rd of August, 1981.
The last use of a Deltic on a BR timetabled train was on 31 December 1981, when 55019 worked the 16:30 Aberdeen - York south from Edinburgh.
The final British Rail workings were for the Deltic Scotsman Farewell tour on 2nd January 1982.
55015 worked the 08:30 King's Cross - Edinburgh, and 55022 hauled the return leg, 14:30 Edinburgh - King's Cross. 55015 had gone to Haymarket depot to refuel, and later worked south light engine to York, following behind the 17:18 Edinburgh - Newcastle.
British Rail Fleet
| Number | Depot | 1973 No. | Depot | Name | Withdrawn | |
| D9000 | 64B | 55 022 | HA | ROYAL SCOTS GREY | 02-Jan-82 (Preserved) | |
| D9001 | 34G | 55 001 | FP | ST. PADDY | 05-Jan-80 | |
| D9002 | 52A | 55 002 | GD | THE KING'S OWN YORKSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY | 02-Jan-82 (Preserved) | |
| D9003 | 34G | 55 003 | FP | MELD | 31-Dec-80 | |
| D9004 | 64B | 55 004 | HA | QUEEN'S OWN HIGHLANDER | 28-Oct-80 | |
| D9005 | 52A | 55 005 | GD | THE PRINCE OF WALES' OWN REGIMENT OF YORKSHIRE | 08-Feb-81 | |
| D9006 | 64B | 55 006 | HA | THE FIFE & FORFAR YEOMANRY | 08-Feb-81 | |
| D9007 | 34G | 55 007 | FP | PINZA | 31-Dec-81 | |
| D9008 | 52A | 55 008 | GD | THE GREEN HOWARDS | 31-Dec-81 | |
| D9009 | 34G | 55 009 | FP | ALYCIDON | 02-Jan-82 (Preserved) | |
| D9010 | 64B | 55 010 | HA | THE KING'S OWN SCOTTISH BORDERER | 24-Dec-81 | |
| D9011 | 52A | 55 011 | GD | THE ROYAL NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS | 08-Nov-81 | |
| D9012 | 34G | 55 012 | FP | CREPELLO | 18-May-81 | |
| D9013 | 64B | 55 013 | HA | THE BLACK WATCH | 20-Dec-81 | |
| D9014 | 52A | 55 014 | GD | THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON'S REGIMENT | 22-Nov-81 | |
| D9015 | 34G | 55 015 | FP | TULYAR | 02-Jan-82 (Preserved) | |
| D9016 | 64B | 55 016 | HA | GORDON HIGHLANDER | 30-Dec-81 (Preserved) | |
| D9017 | 52A | 55 017 | GD | THE DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY | 31-Dec-81 | |
| D9018 | 34G | 55 018 | FP | BALLYMOSS | 12-Oct-81 | |
| D9019 | 64B | 55 019 | HA | ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIER | 31-Dec-81 (Preserved) | |
| D9020 | 34G | 55 020 | FP | NIMBUS | 05-Jan-80 | |
| D9021 | 64B | 55 021 | HA | ARGYLL & SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDER | 31-Dec-81 | |
Back on the Main Line
D9000 was brought from Old Oak Common Depot to Glasgow Works on 08 August 1996, to prepare it for a return to main line use.
Movements of Deltics in Scotland Since 1996
| Date | Loco | Train | Timings | Route | Remarks | Photo |
| 09 Nov 1996 | D9000 | (1st Test run) | Springburn - Tweedmouth (and return) | D9000 with 47757 + 7 Parcels vans | Fotopic | |
| 16 Nov 1996 | D9000 | (2nd Test run) | Springburn - Tweedmouth (and return) | (with 47xxx and vans ?) | ||
| 30 Nov 1996 | D9000 | The Deltic Deliverence (HRT) | SBJ Link | Edinburgh - Berwick (London Kings Cross) | D9000 failed at Berwick | Photo |
| (D9000) | (Loco movement) | Newcastle - Springburn | 37702 + D9000 | |||
| 22 Dec 1996 | D9000 | (Test run) | Springburn - London King's Cross | D9000 with 47758 + 12 coaches | ||
| 27 Aug 1997 | D9000 | VSOE ECS | Stewarts Lane - Millerhill | |||
| 28 Aug 1997 | D9000 | VSOE (Private charter) | SBJ Link | Edinburgh - East Grinstead (via ECML) | Photo | |
| 06 Sep 1997 | D9000 | The Deltic Scotsman | SBJ Link | London King's Cross - Edinburgh | ||
| D9000 | The Deltic Scotsman | Edinburgh - Fife Circle - Edinburgh | Fotopic | |||
| D9000 | (Loco movement) | Edinburgh - Motherwell TMD | ||||
| 21 Sep 1997 | D9000 | (Loco movement) | Motherwell TMD - Longsight Depot (Manchester) | |||
| 14 Nov 1997 | D9000 | 1S46 Virgin Cross Country | 06:55 Birmingham New St - Glasgow Central | (1st 100mph run) | ||
| 15 Nov 1997 | D9000 | 1V98 Virgin Cross Country | 09:10 Edinburgh - Birmingham New St (WCML) | |||
| 24 Oct 1998 | D9000 | The Flying Scotsman (Steamy Affairs) | SBJ Link | King's Cross - Edinburgh (and return) | ||
| 12 Jun 1999 | D9009 | VSOE (British Pullman) | Newcastle - Dunbar (and return) | |||
| 17 Jul 1999 | 55019 | DPS tour | SBJ Link | Crewe - Newcastle - Stirling (and return) | 55019 Newcastle / Stirling leg | |
| 14 Aug 1999 | 55019 | Edinburgh Military Tattoo (Regency Rail) | Bristol - Edinburgh - Glasgow | |||
| 15 Aug 1999 | 55019 | Edinburgh Military Tattoo (Regency Rail) | Glasgow Central - Bristol (via Dumfries?) | |||
| 17 Oct 1999 | 55019 | (Loco movement) | Crewe - Craignetinny | |||
| 18 Oct 1999 | 55019 | Regency Rail Cruise | Edinburgh - Aberdeen (and return) | |||
| 19 Oct 1999 | 55019 | Regency Rail Cruise | Edinburgh - Perth (via Stirling) | |||
| 55019 | Regency Rail Cruise | Perth - London Euston | ||||
| 27 Nov 1999 | D9009 | Edinburgh Christmas Experience (Regency Rail) | SBJ Link | Stafford - Shrewsbury - Edinburgh (via WCML) & return | ||
| 04 Dec 1999 | D9009 | Edinburgh Christmas Experience (Regency Rail) | Wolverhampton - Edinburgh (and return) | |||
| 04 Mar 2000 | (55019) | Monarch of the Glen (Regency Rail) | Cardiff - Motherwell, Braidhurst Loop | 47488 with 55019 DIT | ||
| 55019 | Monarch of the Glen (Regency Rail) | Motherwell, Braidhurst Loop - Fort William | 55019 solo | |||
| 05 Mar 2000 | 55019 | Monarch of the Glen (Regency Rail) | Fort William - Motherwell, Braidhurst Loop | 55019 solo | ||
| (55019) | Monarch of the Glen (Regency Rail) | Motherwell, Braidhurst Loop - Cardiff | 47488 with 55019 DIT | |||
| 05 Aug 2000 | 55019 | Northern Belle | London Vic - Edinburgh (via WCML) | |||
| 06 Aug 2000 | 55019 | (ECS) | Edinburgh - Crewe | |||
| 12 Aug 2000 | 55019 | Northern Belle | Manchester Victoria - Edinburgh | |||
| 13 Aug 2000 | 55019 | Northern Belle (Lunch) | Edinburgh - (Forth Bridge) - Dundee (& return) | |||
| 14 Aug 2000 | 55019 | Northern Belle | Edinburgh - Manchester Victoria | |||
| 01 Sep 2000 | 55019 | Northern Belle (Lunch) | Newcastle - Edinburgh - Newcastle | |||
| 27 Jul 2001 | (D9000) | ECS | Carnforth - Glasgow Central | (behind 31459 - D9000 on rear of train | ||
| D9000 | Tunnocks Express | Glasgow Central - Cardiff | (31459 DOR) Scottish team for Special Olympics | Fotopic | ||
| 04 Aug 2001 | D9000 (& D9009) | Tunnocks Express | Cardiff - Glasgow Central | D9009 attached to rear at Carlisle) | Fotopic | |
| D9009 (& D9000) | ECS | Glasgow Central - Carnforth | (D9000 DOR) | |||
| 13 Apr 2002 | 55019 | The Silver Jubilee (DPS) | SBJ Link | King's Cross - Edinburgh, via ECML | ||
| 55019 | The Silver Jubilee (DPS) | Edinburgh - Kings Cross (Suburban Line, Carlisle, Tyne Valley, ECML) | 55019 to Peterborough. | |||
| 15 Jun 2002 | D9000 | Anniversary Scotsman (Past-Time Rail) | SBJ Link | London King's Cross - Edinburgh, via ECML (and return) | D9000 (Green) | |
| 02 Nov 2002 | 9016 | The Scotsman (Steamy Affairs) | Cleethorpes - Edinburgh (and return) | 9016 Porterbrook Purple | ||
| 22 Jun 2003 | D9009 & 55019 | Freedom of Scotland (DPS) | SBJ Link | Preston - Georgemas Jn (via Edinburgh, Kirkcaldy, Aberdeen, Inverness) | D9000 (Green) & 55019 (Blue) top & tail | |
| 23 Jun 2003 | D9009 & 55019 | Freedom of Scotland (DPS) | Georgemas Junction to Aviemore (Via Thurso, Wick, Kyle) | |||
| 24 Jun 2003 | D9009 & 55019 | Freedom of Scotland (DPS) | Aviemore to Helensburgh Upper (via Stirling, Paisley, Stranraer) | Photo | ||
| 25 Jun 2003 | D9009 & 55019 | Freedom of Scotland (DPS) | Helensburgh Upper to Fort William (via Mallaig, Oban, Crianlarich) | |||
| 26 Jun 2003 | D9009 & 55019 | Freedom of Scotland (DPS) | Fort William to Preston (via Springburn, Mossend, WCML) | |||
| 23 Apr 2005 | 55019 | Thales Flyer (DPS) | SBJ Link | King's Cross - Edinburgh (via ECML) | ||
| (55019) | Thales Flyer (DPS) | Edinburgh - King's Cross (via ECML) | Hauled by 67013, 55019 dead on rear | |||
| 22 Sep 2006 | 55022 | (Loco movement) | Bury - Bo'ness | with 26024 and 40145 | ||
| 23 Sep 2006 | 55022 | The Moray Mint (SRPS) | SBJ Link | Linlithgow - Edinburgh - Inverness - Aberdeen - Edinburgh - Linlithgow | ||
| 30 Sep 2006 | 55022 | SRPS Diesel Gala | Bo'ness - Birkhill (4 return trips) | Photo | ||
| 01 Oct 2006 | 55022 | SRPS Diesel Gala | Bo'ness - Birkhill (3 return trips) | |||
| 05 Oct 2006 | 55022 | (Loco movement) | Bo'ness - Old Oak Common (via WCML) | |||
| 06 Oct 2006 | 55022 | The Autumn Highlander (Railway Touring Co.) | SBJ Link | London KX - Edinburgh | With 47245 on rear. 55022 with 1 engine failed | |
| 09 Oct 2006 | 55022 | The Autumn Highlander (Railway Touring Co.) | Perth - London Kings Cross | 40145 with 55022 (47245 DOR) | ||
| 21 Sep 2007 | 55022 | (Loco movement) | Timings | Bury - Carnforth - Bo'ness | 55022 +D5310 +37175 +D8020 +40145 | Photo |
| 29 Sep 2007 | 55022 | SRPS Diesel Gala | Bo'ness - Birkhill (2 return trips) | |||
| 30 Sep 2007 | 55022 | SRPS Diesel Gala | Bo'ness - Birkhill (2 return trips) | |||
| 03 Oct 2007 | 55022 | (Loco movement) | Bo'ness - Tyseley | |||
| 05 Oct 2007 | 55022 | The Autumn Highlander (Railway Touring Co.) | Timings | London Kings Cross - Perth | 55022 & 50049 (T&T) | |
| 06 Oct 2007 | 55022 | Oban SRPS tour | Timings | Dundee - Oban (and return) | 55022 & 37248 (T&T) | Photo |
| 08 Oct 2007 | 55022 | The Autumn Highlander | Timings | Perth - London Kings Cross | 55022+50049 & (40145 DOR) | |
| 05 Dec 2007 | 55022 | (Loco movement) | Timings | Bury - Carnforth - Bo'ness | 55022+26024 | |
| 07 Dec 2007 | 55022 | The Lindum Celtic Deltic (SRPS) | Timings | Linlithgow - Lincoln (and return) | Photo | |
| 13 Dec 2007 | 55022 | (Loco movement) | Bo'ness - Bury (ELR) | |||
| 23 Feb 2008 | 55022 | The Deltic Pioneer (Spitfire Railtours) | Timings | Liverpool - Newcastle - Edinburgh (and return) | with 47787 on rear | Photo |
| 14 May 2008 | 55022 | (Loco movement) | Timings | Barrow Hill - Bo'ness | ||
| 15 May 2008 | 55022 | Reopening Special | Timings | Alloa - Stirling (and return x4) | with steam 61994 at Stirling end of train | Photo |
| 18 May 2008 | 55022 | (ECS move) | Timings | Bo'ness - Edinburgh (and return) | with steam 61994 on rear for SRPS tour | |
| 24 May 2008 | 55022 | The Highland Fling (SRPS) | Timings | North Berwick - Mallaig (and return) | Top and Tail with 37248 | |
| 26 May 2008 | 55022 | (Loco movement) | Bo'ness - Heywood, ELR (via ECML) | |||
| 15 Aug 2008 | 55022 | (Loco movement) | Timings | Carnforth - Bo'ness | 55022 + 40145 + 26010 + 37712 | Photo |
| 16 Aug 2008 | 55022 | The North Yorkshireman (SRPS) | Timings | Dundee - York - Scarborough (and return) | Top and Tail with 37712 | Photo |
| 24 Aug 2008 | 55022 | Routes and Branches (SRPS) | SBJ Link | Tour of Strathclyde lines (from/to Bo'ness) | Top and Tail with 40145 | Photo |
| 27 Aug 2008 | 55022 | (Loco movement) | Bo'ness - Carnforth | with 40145 | ||
| 30 Aug 2008 | 55022 | Deltic Retro Scot | Timings | Huddersfield - Edinburgh (out WCML, return ECML) | Photo | |
| 31 May 2010 | 55022 | Deltic Retro Scot 2 | Timings | Sheffield - Edinburgh (North via Carlisle, South via ECML) | 57316 (O.R.) Blue & grey stock | Photo |
| 06 Nov 2010 | 55022 | The West Lothian Pioneer (Pathfinder Tours) | Timings | Crewe - Edinburgh (Out via Annbank, Paisley GS, Bathgate. Return via Carstairs) | Photo | |
| 04 Dec 2010 | 55022 | The Edinburgh Explorer (Spitfire Railtours) | Timings | Preston - York - Edinburgh (and return) | With 47500 on rear | Photo |
| 55022 | Royal Scots Tay (Spitfire Railtours) | Timings | Edinburgh - Dundee (out via Dunfermline, return via Kirkcaldy) | With 47500, on rear, and leading Thornton S. Jn - Dundee. | Photo | |
| 05 Mar 2011 | 55022 | The Royal Scots Grey (Spitfire Railtours) | Timings, Timings | London King's Cross - Edinburgh (and return) | With 57601 on rear | Photo |
| 18 May 2011 | 55022 | (Loco movement) | Timings | North Blyth - Bo'ness (via Carlisle) | Light engine. | = |
| 28 May 2011 | 55022 | The Kyle Crusader (SRPS Railtours) | Timings | North Berwick – Kyle of Lochalsh (and return) | With 47804 on rear | Photo |
| 29 May 2011 | 55022 | (ECS move) | Timings | North Berwick – Bo'ness | 47804 leading, 55022 on rear. | = |
| 55022 | (Loco movement) | Timings | Bo'ness - Craigentinny - Fort William (Alcan) | light engine | = | |
| 30 May 2011 | 55022 | 6E45 Freight train | Timings | Forth William (Alcan) - North Blyth (to Mossend) | Empty Wagons | Photo YouTube |
| 55022 | (Loco movement) | — | Mossend - Bo'ness | light engine | = | |
| 17 Jun 2011 | 55022 | The Far North Challenger (SRPS Railtours) | Timings | Linlithgow - Georgemas Junction | With 37676 on rear. | Photo |
| 18 Jun 2011 | 55022 | The Far North Challenger (SRPS Railtours) | Timings | Georgemas Jn - Thuro - Wick | Top and Tail With 37676. | = |
| 55022 | The Far North Challenger (SRPS Railtours) | Timings | Wick - Linlithgow (via Edinburgh) | With 37676 on rear. | = | |
| 19 Jun 2011 | 55022 | B&KR service train | — | Bo'ness - Manuel Jn | Piloting steam loco WPR No.17 | Photo |
| 55022 | (Loco movement) | Timings | Bo'ness Jn - Carnforth | Hauling 37676. | = | |
| 14 Sep 2011 | 55022 | The Lochs & Glens Napier (Spitfire Railtours) | Timings | Crewe - Oban (and return) | With 47826 on rear (not Crianlarich - Oban) | Photo |
| 29 Nov 2011 | 55022 | The Scotsman (Spitfire Railtours) | Timings | Worcester Shrub Hill – Perth (and return) | With 57601 | Photo |
| 01 Dec 2011 | 55022 | (ECS movement) | Timings | Carnforth - Bo'ness | Hauled by 47854, 55022 on rear. | Photo |
| 02 Dec 2011 | 55022 | The Santa Express (SRPS Railtours) | Timings | Linlithgow - Lincoln | With 47854 on rear. | = |
| 04 Dec 2011 | 55022 | (ECS movement) | Timings | Bo'ness - Carnforth | Hauled by 47854, 55022 on rear. | = |
55022 runs through the gorse filled cutting at Penmanshiel on 31.05.10, while working the 1Z88 Edinburgh - Sheffield Photo by Steve_B
55022 passing through Springburn on 03/05/2013 with the 5N11 1257 Shields Road to Railcare Springburn the first unit move by GBRf Photo by class47man
55022 hauling a Class 334 unit, on Longford Viaduct near Kilwinning with 6Z54 Kilmarnock to Yoker, 5th May 2013 Photo by clarkc
Scot-Rail.co.uk Links:
- Class 55 photo gallery
- GBRf
- Glasgow Works, Springburn (Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems)
- Glasgow Works:Older Reports
- Class 334 Relivery and Refurbishment 2011-2014
External Links: