‘Deltics’ set for return in 2024

ALL THREE Class 55s owned by the Deltic Preservation Society (DPS) could be back in action by the end of the year.

The DPS has spent considerable time tracing electrical faults on

No. 55009 Alycidon. An oil leak in the load regulator has been eliminated, and a cable leading to the main generator is being replaced.

The loco began testing on January 13, followed by running in on the Barrow Hill demonstration line. If all goes to plan, No. 55009 will be moved to the Great Central Railway (GCR) in March for testing at higher speeds, but there are no plans at present for any main line tours in 2024.

Refurbishment

Classmate No. 55019 Royal Highland Fusilier has also been worked on in recent months. Various parts have been removed and refurbished and are now being refitted. The loco is also being repainted.

It is set to take part in the North Yorkshire Moors Railway’s Diesel Gala in June. Everything has been obtained to allow

No. 55019 to be certificated for main line operation once again. This will not take place until much later in the year, however, and will involve a loaded test run.

Meanwhile, No. D9015 (55015) Tulyar has had two power units installed and is back on its overhauled bogies for the first time in 10 years, with engineers now checking the wiring throughout the locomotive.

Once this has been finalised, it will be started up for the first time in 27 years. The master plan is for all three DPS‘Deltics’to work later in the year at the GCR, which will be a first for the preservation group.