D9000 "Royal Scots Grey" returns with the 'One-Way Deltic Charter' 21/04/2023

Another chapter in the arduous return to the Mainline for BR Class 55 ‘Deltic’ - D9000 “Royal Scots Grey”, as the Napier roar returns to the East Coast Mainline.

Taken under the ownership of Locomotive Services Ltd in late 2017, the ‘Deltic’ has been the ongoing subject of an extensive and expensive overhaul, to bring the locomotive back to the Mainline. This came to fruition when D9000 first returned to the Mainline under LSL hauling the postponed ‘The Deltic Delight’ on the 24th of September 2022. Postponed, due to the locomotive not being complete in time for the original date. By the time of the redated run, though D9000 looked immaculate from its bodywork overhaul, it was clear that more attention was needed mechanically, with just one of its pair of Napier Deltic power units functional at the time for the tour. Since then, a trip to Barrow Hill and the Harry Needle Railroad Company has seen attention given to its engines, in an effort to bring its power units up to standard.

A light test run from Barrow Hill to Crewe followed, with D9000 being hastily pressed into service almost immediately, leading a 'One-Way Deltic Charter' doubling as its loaded test run. The tour would feature a charge over the length of the 55's old stomping ground of the East Coast Mainline, from London King's Cross to Edinburgh Waverley. This necessitated a empty coaching stock move from Crewe to London, and similarly from Edinburgh back to Crewe, completing something of a circular route. Also from the LSL stables, InterCity Class 90 - 90001 "Royal Scot" was present for insurance purposes, as well as aiding with positioning moves.

The haste to get the 'Deltic' running on both its power units, with a lack of running in and testing, proved calamitous with a serious coolant leak leading to the 2nd power unit being shut down. D9000 limped on with its remaining power unit and some assistance from 90001.

The 'Deltic' is first captured with both power units functioning, working the ECS through Leighton Buzzard heading for the capital. Later, the 55 is seen at the head of the charter, working up the 1-in-200 gradient on one power unit towards Counthorpe.

All footage filmed on Friday the 21st of April 2023.