A rare opportunity to purchase two former East Coast Main Line Class 55 Deltic locomotives is in prospect.
Martin Walker, the owner of D9016 Gordon Highlander and pioneer 55022 Royal Scots Grey, has decided to offer his locomotives and a large quantity of spare parts for sale.
Both locomotives are currently out of service, with D9016 stored at DCRail’s Washwood Heath base midway through an extensive bodywork overhaul. It had been planned for the locomotive to move to a heritage railway in the Midlands for completion of work, although whether this will now happen is unclear.
55022 is based at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, currently disguised as long-scrapped 55018 Ballymoss. However, it has been out of service since suffering a crankshaft to phasing case quill shaft failure to its operational engine in July.
While the necessary engine repairs are not considered to be difficult, Walker explained that he had been awaiting the availability of a crane to allow the engine to be removed. The engine failure resulted in the cancellation of all its scheduled workings on the NYMR until it returns to operation.
Walker told RAIL: “I’ve had a great time with the locomotives, which has been both enjoyable and frustrating on occasions, but I think the time has come to let someone else take them on."
- For much more on the story, read RAIL 838, published on October 25, or available via iPad and Android on October 21.
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GWR Fan - 18/10/2017 14:59
I could see this operating on the West Somerset Railway, they could go there.
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daffy duck - 18/10/2017 15:30
Useless for any preservation railway because they can't run at high speed and are uneconomical at low speed and are unreliable, requiring a stupid amount of maintenance. Both have problems which presumably the current owner is unwilling or unable to solve. ECML was glad to see the back of them in the 1980s. Buyer beware.
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Derek Storrs - 18/10/2017 17:22
Not so sure about them being unreliable. 55019 has run every year bar one in preservation with no major failures.
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Daffy duck is a keyboard warrior - 18/10/2017 19:29
How can you say the current owner is un willing or unable to solve . It's keyboard warrior comments like this that have contributed to Martin wanting to sell the loco's. Are you an engineer or have a large background knowledge on the deltic class. Beware of the bellend !!
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Tulyar15 - 20/10/2017 21:11
Well said ,mate , some people !!!! Ain’t got a clue !
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harpic - 18/10/2017 23:47
If I had the money, I’d buy. Where I’d keep them though, I don’t know.
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Tulyar15 - 20/10/2017 21:09
Lol , your obviously the world leading expert on Napier engines and deltics ,, current owner unwilling !!!! One thing you do know is how to chat gas !!!!!!!
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terrt c - 20/10/2017 20:43
the big problem with preserved diesels (and steam) is that spares are no longer readily available and new items have to be manufactured in small ,often hand made batches which is reflected in the price,sometimes the material specified is no longer available so a modern approved equivalent has to be found which further adds to the cost
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Wolfie - 22/10/2020 11:42
If I ask the price, usually someone would say "you can't afford it"! Not so. 'm just curious as to know if I could use them on any network or Iif I have to bring them to Bristol on an enthusiast setup? Yes I can affoed to buy something so crazy. My fave Loco is the 55
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