'The Coronation Deltic' Reigns Over York with 55009 'Alycidon' - 19/08/2023
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- Опубліковано 8 вер 2024
- In 1961, as the much-revered LNER Pacifics were being withdrawn from service, top-link express duties on the East Coast Mainline fell to a new brand of locomotive; one that would change the perception of diesel traction forever. The English Electric Class 55s, better known as 'Deltic's, were the epitome of diesel engineering, slashing two hours off the timetable between London and Edinburgh and transforming the express image of the Eastern Region. Such was their impact that upon withdrawal in 1982, no fewer than seven of these iconic engines were preserved.
'Alycidon' has been one of the most active performers in recent years, following her purchase by the Deltic Preservation Society along with two other classmates. Having been out of action since 2019, her most recent overhaul would see her outshopped in classic BR Blue with yellow ends. UK Railtours immediately booked the engine for 'The Coronation Deltic', a high-speed romp along the ECML to Scarborough and return, named after the coronation day of HM King Charles III, on which the tour was originally supposed to run. However, the service was ultimately delayed until Saturday 19th August. At York, the tour we be rebranded 'The Centenarian' in honour of the 100th Birthday of former BR driver Harry Wilson. With only two 'Deltic's currently registered to run on the mainline, excitement among railfans was high.
I decided to film the tour at York, in the hope of capturing the engine under the station's famous overall roof as well as the change of name. It seemed lots of other people had the same idea, with platforms packed full of photographers of all ages. As an unadvertised surprise, 'Alycidon' masqueraded as long-lost classmate 55013 'The Black Watch', last seen in 1981. Running slightly late, this video sees the train glide into York (narrowly avoiding being bowled by an arriving Azuma unit!) before departing for the coast.
I hope you all enjoy the video. Despite being a lifelong steam fan, I can admit that 'Deltic's are very impressive in the flesh. I'm sure it won't be the last time they crop up on this channel. Thanks to UK Railtours, West Coast Railways and the Deltic Preservation Society for their co-operation on this tour. Feel free to comment and subscribe!
The classic location for a Deltic and nicely captured. Regards, John
Thanks for commenting. A Deltic at York is a timeless sight. Regards. Cameron
Wow it’s like seeing a ghost ( The black watch) This was an everyday seen back in the 70s . It’s good to see her engine problem seems to have been solved. The sound of Napier engines under the roof at York brings back lots of memories.
Thanks for commenting Arthur. It was a nice surprise to see a long-lost Deltic recreated for this tour and she looked splendid under York’s roof. Kind Regards. Cameron
As a student in the 1970's I'd often catch a Deltic hauled service to Newcastle. In later years the crew were told to accelerate gently out of York due to complaints from trackside residents (can you believe?).......however, one particular Sunday evening the driver of a late running service had other ideas - I still remember the indredible sounds travelling in the first carriage as the Deltic absolutely POWERED out of York......unsurprisingly, we pulled into Newcastle slightly early!
Thanks for commenting Robert. What a great story! Although I do have to sympathise with the locals; as nice as they are, they make a hell of a racket!
IMHO it looks even better in British Rail blue and yellow
A superb capture of the Deltic Cameron.
Thanks for commenting. Glad you liked the video. Kind regards.
Great video, not much beats a Deltic under the roof at York
Thanks for your comment. The Deltic was a brilliant sight, made all the more accurate with her matching coaches. Kind regards. Cameron
Wow! So clear and sharp! Superb shots, thanks for posting.
Thanks for commenting. Glad you liked the video.
Exactly how I remember them in the 80s at York and Newcastle (except not that shiny).
Lovely to see a MK2F set in blue/silver.
Thanks for your comment. I was very pleased to see a predominantly blue/grey rake behind the Deltic. It really did complete the image. All the best.
Just a pity the beautifully designed and liveried mk2f coaches don't have the East Coast Mainline interior with the wonderfully comfortable winged seats and restrained un-varnished wood side panelling. Great to see Alycidon - I mean Black Watch! - in Scarborough yesterday.........could it get much better - a seafront ride on a Leyland PD2, delicous fish and chips, afternoon watching the 'Naval Battle' at Peasholm Park, chatting to some lovely people....and topped off watching a Deltic depart!
I was on that tour. Yes it did break down on the way back, but was swiftly fixed. As the Thunderbird had arrived it was decided to haul it back to London. It was a great trip. I stood next to the Napiers as they restarted on the platform after fixed, brilliant.😊
Thanks for your comment Jonathan. It was a pity the Deltic failed on the return leg but good that the tour resumed fairly soon afterwards. Kind regards.
I do love the sound the Deltics make, nice video Cameron.
Thanks Ken. I think it’s coming back up this way next month. Will have to double check. All the best.
@@SecondValveSteam Thanks for the heads up
Very nice indeed 👍👍👍
Camron fantastic video sounds amazing thanks
Glad you enjoyed it!
sheer vintage. great to see
the monster
That sounds like a beast. Love them. My favourite train next to the HST
Thanks for your comment. They certainly are impressive machines. Regards. Cameron
Very nice shots . . .
Glad you liked the video!
Saw this at Scarborough.
Super video :)
Like 33 beautiful video, greetings 🚂👍👋
Still have my edition of Rail Magazine from 81with Harry Wilson's tribute to 'Blacky' his favorite Class 55
Thanks for your comment Richard. It was excellent to see Mr Wilson reunited with his beloved 55013, even in disguise. Kind regards. Cameron
Good stuff Cameron! Btw it’s Ruben from this morning!.
Hi Ruben. Good to meet you this morning. Glad you liked the video. All the best.
Suddenly everyone is transported back to the early 1980's.
Thanks for commenting Mark. The ‘Deltic’ and predominantly blue and grey stock really helped to fulfil the eighties image. Many thanks.
I'm hoping to catch it passing through Lincoln on the return journey about 3 hours from now.
Thanks for commenting. I hope you’re able to see the Deltic. Kind regards. Cameron
@@SecondValveSteam Well that didn't work out! It was running an hour late just past Doncaster and there was an eternity of no updates on the tracker and then it suddenly appeared again just north of Peterbourough, cutting out a chunk of the planned journey passes, including mine! It's just making its way through Herts now. I'd originally planned on being at Newark this morning but I think I set out about 10 minutes too late as it turned out. Oh well...maybe next time.
Managed it without an engine shutting down this time then 👍
Thanks Andrei. 55009 sounded in fine fettle when I saw her at York. Kind regards.
not much haze at all!!
Failed at Retford on the return unfortunately.
@@railfreightdrivergallagherGBRf not engines issues though so all good, minor electrics apparently
Nice video great camera work as usual as always I am really enjoying your lovely videos and camera work keep your lovely camera work up I am really looking forward to seeing your next video also when is your next video going to be on UA-cam bye for now Philip
Thank you for your kind words. I try to upload a new video every couple of weeks, so new content is never far away. Stay tuned for more! Cameron
Was the trailing 47 actually helping to power the train, or was it merely providing HEP for the coaches' air-con etc? It definitely sounded like it was a notch or two above idle.
Are these very slow Deltic starts from York due to the curved platforms? Curved track imposes greater rolling resistance on trains, and Deltics have notoriously poor low-speed tractive effort due to their light weight, so is this why Deltics often depart so cautiously from York, especially when northbound? Or maybe it's just to avoid filling the station with white smoke...
Thanks for commenting. The 47 may well have been assisting. Ultimately, 55009 failed on the return journey so the 47 took over south of York. I don’t know the reason for slow departures out of York, possibly due to a speed restriction over Scarborough Bridge. Hope this helps. Cameron
I think there's a low speed limit leaving York to the north because of the curve. I don't think there is one heading South.
Never fails to amaze me how the drivers asst? Always looks back to get on pics, when i was a secondman at Sheffield midland when we got the green light that was it we looked were we where going.
Where do I start,? not sure how many Deltic diagrams there were through Sheffield Midland, I could probably count them on my little toe on my left foot and still have a digit to spare.
As a BR secondman you didn't give a Fcuk about the locomotive, If it failed tough luck, somebody else's problem.
I speak from experience, having been in a situation where I managed to save a power unit. The people involved with mainline operation of heritage locomotives (and heritage railway operations) are passionate about the locomotives, they are family, akin to sons and daughters, worth hundred of thousands of pounds, a quick look back when making a departure can confirm that everything is well and there are no problems, that the locomotive is performing as intended.
An example of this is can be seen here, ua-cam.com/video/4xkHn6Fw1Ac/v-deo.html
55022 departing Doncaster, a quick look back would have raised some concerns, excessive smoking (for a Deltic power unit) on departure, after travelling from London, the unburnt oil should have been negligible. Unfortunately 5 miles further on the leading power unit threw a piston through the side of the power unit.
Unless you have a full understanding making cheap comments is not very clever.
Nice rendition from the ‘47 demonstrating their nickname ‘spoons’
Known as 'Duffs' when i was a spotter in the 70s. Spoons? Never heard that one before
@@richardmarshall4322 Yeah, Duffs mainly but also Spoons. The unique sound of the diminutive horn on a ‘47 : Spoo….ooon !
Oh god I see me🤣😭
Well, I spoke too soon - it did break down on the way back! 😖
Oh dear. That’s a shame. I hope the issue wasn’t too severe.
I fully get that the Napier Deltic is a miracle of technology, and the locomotive itself is impressive to look at, but I cannot see why people make such a fuss about them. They sound like they're running at full throttle when they're idling, and that changes little as they accelerate away. Compare this with the drama of a Class 40, or any of the 4-stroke V12s, with their turbochargers, as they pull away. So much more spectacle, especially the old Paxman Valenta HST 125s.
So lucky that azuma didn't ruin the view!
Thanks for commenting Dan. If the Deltic hadn’t been late we would have had a clear shot. Thankfully we were lucky in the end. Kind regards. Cameron
It was 55013 not 55009
Thanks for commenting Kevin. The loco was indeed 55009. 55013 was scrapped in 1982 so ‘Alycidon’ is masquerading as her classmate here. Hope this helps. Cameron