Twin Deltic railtour prospects for 2022

IT is now 60 years since the English Electric Type 5 locomotives (later designated Class 55) made their debut, and this year should see the return of two Deltics to railtour duty. No. D9000 Royal Scots Grey, owned by Locomotive Services, Crewe, is shortly to receive its second power unit, which has been receiving repairs at a Lancashire engineering company. D9000 is booked to work ‘The

Deltic Deviation’ tour on May 7 from Finsbury Park to Newcastle. Prior to this the locomotive will be subject to extensive testing, including a loaded test run.

Meanwhile, D9009 Alycidon, owned by the Deltic Preservation Society, is not far off being started for the first time since its disastrous failure in March 2019, which saw all six traction motors and one of its main generators damaged by a severe power surge. Plans are in hand for the locomotive to be moved from Barrow Hill to the Great Central

Railway for testing prior to it be considered for main line work.

Royal Scots Grey is one of three locomotives designated to be initially fitted with European Train Control System (ETCS). Alycidon will follow later, but Network Rail is aware that D9009 is substantially complete and may be considering bringing forward its role in the trialling of this innovative technology which involves redesigning much of the locomotive’s cab equipment.