Projects (All) | Deltic Preservation

The Remaining Deltics

The six surviving production Deltics are gathered at Barrow Hill on 12th August 2006, the first time all six had been together in the preservation era. Photo. Murray Brown.

The DPS owns and cares for three of the six surviving Deltics from the original fleet of 22. These are 55009 Alycidon, D9015 Tulyar and 55019 Royal Highland Fusilier. A fully restored cab from 55008 The Green Howards is also on show and open to the public at the DPS’ Depot 55 at Barrow Hill, Staveley. 55009 is main line certificated, and 55019 is due to return to main line activity once equipment has been upgraded. D9015 is in the final stages of a huge renovation project.

The National Railway Museum, York, owns 55002 King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. 55002 is presently a static exhibit at the NRM, York. It is also the custodian of the prototype DELTIC which, after covering 450,000 miles on both the West Coast and East Coast Main Lines, paved the way for the British Transport Commission ordering the production fleet of Deltics in 1958. These entered service in 1961/2.

Crewe-based Locomotive Services owns D9000 Royal Scots Grey and D9016 Gordon Highlander. D9000 is certificated for main line use, whilst D9016 has been cosmetically restored, and is part of an exhibition at LS’ Margate facility.

Six production Deltics are therefore extant, together with the prototype..

55008/D9008 The Green Howards

The DPS owns No. 2 end cab from 55008 The Green Howards, which was withdrawn on December 31st 1981. It was obtained in 1986 and for many years visited events, mounted on a trailer. Now part of the display inside the DPS depot at Barrow Hill, the cab had an extension added by Crowle Wharfe Engineers Ltd and has been fully restored by DPS volunteers, led by Bethany Marsh, so as to allow the public access.

Bethany Marsh

Image Credit:

55009/D9009 Alycidon

Alycidon is a diesel locomotive currently owned by the DPS.
Alycidon has featured at numerous heritage railways through the 40 years of DPS ownership as well as running on the main line since 2012.
She is currently on display at the DPS depot in Chesterfield.
Click read more to check out her history

Darrell Marsh

Image Credit:

55015/D9015 Tulyar

D9015, also known as Tulyar, is a locomotive that was named after the 1952 winner of the Derby, St Ledger and Eclipse stakes, and was part of the Finsbury Park stud of racehorses until the depot's closure. After being purchased for preservation by Peter Sansom, the loco was sold to the DPS in 1986 and has since toured the country, visiting various open days and preserved railways. Tulyar is undergoing an overhaul upon completion, the plan is to register the loco for mainline operation.

Bethany Marsh

Image Credit:

55019/D9019 Royal Highland Fusilier

D9019, later renumbered 55019, was a British Rail Class 55 diesel locomotive that entered service in 1961 and was based at Haymarket depot in Edinburgh. It was withdrawn in 1981 after being the last Deltic hauled service train. It was the first Deltic to operate a train in preservation and has since undergone extensive overhaul and refurbishment. It has been used regularly for preserved railway operation. Currently being fitted with upgraded GSM-R (radio) equipment and OTMR (on train monitoring) equipment to allow it to return to main line charter work.

Gary Thomas

Image Credit:

Other Deltics

55016/D9016 Gordon Highlander

55022/D9000 Royal Scots Grey

Having been sold by Beaver Sports/Martin Walker to Locomotive Diesels Ltd at Crewe, joining the ‘Icons of Steam’ fleet, D9000 is main line certified and is now at Crewe for railtour duties.

55002/D9002 The Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

Was claimed by the National Railway Museum and is based at York. After many years out of service, the loco was restored to working order by the ‘Koyli Group’ and certified for main line running, but it now regarded by the NRM as a static exhibit. It can be seen on display at York.

Prototype DELTIC

The Prototype ‘DELTIC’ forms part of the National Collection and, after being retired from service in 1961, was for many years displayed at the Science Museum.