From Scrap Line to Main Line

The Deltic Story 1982 to 2022

AUTHOR: Guy Middleton

PUBLISHER: Eastfield Media

ISBN: 978-1-83814-402-9

PRICE: £35 (plus £3.50 P&P)

WEBSITE: www.eastfieldmedia.com

JUST WHEN you think that everything that could have been written about the Deltics has already been published, along comes a stunning new book that covers a period of the legendary locomotives’ working lives that is often overlooked – the preservation history of the survivors.

I have often said that history doesn’t stop when a locomotive is withdrawn by British Rail, and this meticulously researched book goes to prove that the story of the Deltics in their post-br lives is just as – if not more – fascinating than their careers were prior to that fateful day in January 1982.

Presented in a chronological order over a 40-year period, author Guy Middleton has produced what has to be the definitive preservation history of the Deltic prototype locomotive, the surviving seven production Class

55s, and the two surviving Deltic cabs. This is the first time (to the best of my knowledge) that the preservation story of the survivors has been told in one book. With 41 chapters covering 256 pages, it is lavishly illustrated with a wide range of mainly colour photographs and suitably detailed captions. The book also includes a number of tables of information and workings, all presented in a neat and attractive format.

Although Railways Illustrated has only viewed a PDF version for review purposes, Eastfield Media has confirmed that the book should be back from the printers and available in time for Christmas orders.

From Scrap Line to Main Line is in A4 portrait format with a hardback cover, and the price represents excellent value for money. It would be interesting to see some other preserved locomotive classes getting this level of attention; this book sets a fairly high benchmark.