DPS makes a major push to complete Tulyar rebuild
‘Deltic’ No. D9015 could return to operation next year after overhaul.
THE Deltic Preservation Society’s (DPS) Class 55 No. D9015 (55015) Tulyar last turned a wheel under its own power 25 years ago. The society has started a major project to have this ‘forgotten’ ‘Deltic’ back in running order for next year.
Its protracted overhaul, involving new body skin framing and panelling, has been underway for all this time and numerous delays and factors have conspired to push back its completion.
A major contributor to the delay has been the diversion of resources to maintain the DPS’s other two ‘Deltics’, Nos. D9009 (55009) Alycidon and 55019 Royal Highland Fusilier in working order.
This was particularly so when both locos were certificated for main line work. Since 2019, a vast amount of effort has gone into returning No. D9009 to operational order following its serious failure in March 2019 when returning a railtour from Edinburgh.
DPS volunteer and board member Pete Stojanovic, DPS power unit engineer, is spearheading Tulyar’s return to working order under the leadership of chief engineer, Graham Clarke. A few volunteers have been working at Barrow Hill on checking wiring and components.
Two Napier power units are earmarked for installation, while a decision is awaited on which bogies will be used.
Once the Class 55 has erupted into life, it will be run and tested on a heritage railway. Before this happens, a main generator will require overhauling as the DPS has exhausted its ‘float’ of operable generators, especially after the damage caused to one of those on No. D9009.
The overhaul of a main generator will cost £15,000 and the DPS will be pleased to receive donations towards the overhaul costs. Those wishing to contribute should visit the Virgin Moneygiving page on the DPS website www.thedps.co.uk, or the DPS’s Facebook page.