DPS Deltic misses its main line comeback tour

THE DELTIC Preservation Society announced in late October that its main line-registered Class 55 Deltic 55009 Alycidon would now not be able to take part in a planned Pathfinder Tours charter on December 3 after a cracked exhaust silencer was discovered.

The preserved Deltic was returned to serviceable condition earlier this year after undergoing extensive repairs following a major failure while hauling a main line charter in March 2019. All the locomotive’s traction motors and one of its generators were damaged following a power surge. Since the DPS returned the locomotive to service, it has undergone a programme of intensive testing and running-in trials at the Great Central Railway and has also paid working visits to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway and the Severn Valley Railway, accumulating almost 1800 miles of trouble-free running throughout the year.

However, it was announced on October 27 that 55009 would no longer be available to work Pathfinder Tours ‘The North Eastern Christmas Markets’ charter, which the locomotive had been due to work between Burton upon Trent and Newcastle. A statement issued by the DPS confirmed that several faults had been discovered on the locomotive, with one of these being a cracked exhaust silencer, which could pose a fire risk.

As such, the locomotive has been withdrawn from use on safety grounds to allow the boiler roof section to be removed, so that engineers can remove the silencer, and clean and repair it.

The locomotive has now been returned to the DPS Depot at Barrow Hill following its stay on the Severn Valley Railway, where the repairs will be completed.

The December 3 tour is now due to be worked by a WCR diesel locomotive from Swindon to Burton upon Trent, with the Class 40 Preservation Society’s D345 set to replace the Deltic on the Burton upon Trent leg through to Newcastle.

The DPS has said it will make a further announcement in the New Year, when there will be a better indication of when the locomotive might be ready once again.

Kevin Delaney Despite accumulating almost 1800 miles of running during visits to heritage railways during 2022, the main line return of 55009 Alycidon has been delayed after a cracked exhaust silencer was discovered, among other faults which require attention from the locomotive’s owners. On October 1, 2022, 55009 stands at Kidderminster Town station on the Severn Valley Railway, awaiting departure with a train to Bridgnorth.