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Class 55 Deltics
 
Class 55 at Kings Cross
 
Class 55 015 Tuyar at Kings Cross station in BR days
 
The Deltics or as they later became Class 55 were the main locomotive for the clack express trains on the East Coast Main Line (ECML), between the end of steam, and the coming of the HSTs.
 
A prototype Deltic locomotive DP1 Deltic had run trails in the 1950s on the  ECML.  This is now in the NRM.
 
After this prototype Deltic locomotive DP1 Deltic had run its trails, 22 production Deltics were built by English Electric.  Six Deltics have been saved, and some have run on the main lines. They have now even been used on spot hire for freight.
 
Delic at Kings Cross
 
Deltic light engine filling the tunnels with fumes.
 
When all the main ECML trains were loco hauled the locomotive had to change ends be for returning north. To help speed this manoeuvre up the locomotive would uncouple waiting at the buffer stops while another locomotive was placed at the other end for the next train north.
 
The Deltics (class 55s) used to fill the tunnels with fumes which could take a long time to clear. A man was used in the other cab to help the driver , as the driver then did not have to get out and change ends and block the main lines in and out of the station for as long.
 
Class 55 Deltic Tulyar at Kings Cross
 
Class 55 Deltic Tulyar at Kings Cross
 
Class 55 Deltic Tulyar gets ready for the off with a train to the north from Kings Cross. These Deltics were the main locomotive of the East Coast Main Line, and many wish they were still.
 
This Deltic 55 015 Tulyar (D9015) was named after a race horse, which had won the Epsom Derby in 1952. The LNER had also named some of its steam locomotives after race horses.
 
Class 55 004 Queen Own Highlander
 
Class 55 Deltic in BR blue at Kings Cross
 
Class 55 004 Queen Own Highlander in BR blue at Kings Cross station.
 
The headcode panel of this Deltic has been replaced by two white lights. This was not one of the Deltics saved.
 
The British Rail Deltic ,which had become class 55, when this photo was taken. The Deltics were all built between 1961 and 1962 by English Electric. The Napier Deltic power units fited to these and the prototype Deltic, gave them there name. 22 Deltic locomotives were built for BR. They were withdraw around the end of 1981 and replaced by the High Speed Train (HST).
 
6 of the Deltics have been saved.
 
3 Deltics at Kings Cross Station
 
Not just one but three Deltics in Kings Cross at once. Will we ever see it again at Kings Cross?
 
One wonders with all the new rules, if today the red gas cylinders for the stop lights would be placed where they are, and the sleepers used as buffer stops? The station would be closed for weeks!
 
Kings Cross station is one of the main London railway stations. The station is in the North of London. Trains run from here to the North East via the East Coast Main Line.
 
 
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Page updated 16/5/2020