Deltics
Us ECML (East Coast Main Line) gricers were appalled at the idea of the Gresley Pacifics being scrapped but actually we were pretty lucky with their first generation diesel replacements - the 'Deltics'. There were 35 built as top link diesel traction and they were introduced from 1959.
These engines had a lot of character - for North American readers I should say they were as distinctive as the Alco 'PA's and if anything noisier and smokier! They could also run like the wind; back in the early sixties 100 mph running was commonplace.
The most wonderful thing about Deltics though was the noise they made - so distinctive I could recognise one in my sleep (and often did). Their 3300 hp diesel engines, which they took their name from, were originally devised for fast navy minesweepers.
Here's D9000 - 'Royal Scots Grey' in early 1960's two tone green livery and sporting the familiar 'Flying Scotsman' head board thistle. When I was up at Durham University and didn't have late morning lectures I'd regularly head up to the viaduct to see the up 'Scotsman' speeding through at 11:15 am. Happy days.
posted by Iain @ 5:13 AM
4 comments
4 Comments:
The Brittish "Deltic Diesels" are indeed classic and timeless in style. They are as distinctive as the American Alco PA series of long ago. nice photograph Iain.
Are any Deltics currently preserved in Railway museums or excursion lines in the UK?
Thank You Iain.
Eddie.
http://eddiesrailroad.blogspot.com
Yes there are no fewer than seven preserved Deltics including the 'electric blue' prototype owned by the National Railway Museum and I think four are currently licenced for main line excurions. Take a look here: http://www.55s.co.uk/
By the way - liked the Shay piece - I hope you get a chance to take some pictures when it is back in service.
Every day a double header of two Deltics heads south through Lancaster hauling the "Nuclear Train" from Sellafield. They are in the blue DRS livery.
Way back in the 1960s and 70s I used to make castings at Alston Foundry for for these locos.
Memories.
Dave: Sad you didn't show more gricing talent when you were at Lumley - these engines were regular operators through Chester-le-Street
Norman: I don't think it's Deltics you are seeing on those nuclear fuel trains (unless someone is testing one?. I think they are probably Class 37s which have some similarlities and there are a few left in freight service
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