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Description
In 1955, following the absorbing of the Napier & Son engineering company into English Electric, EE produced a prototype high power high speed diesel locomotive for the UK rail network. Using two Napier Deltic powerplants, the loco was numbered "DP1" standing for Diesel Prototype 1, and was named "Deltic". First deployed onto the London Midland region of British Railways, the loco was then used on test trains across the Settle & Carlisle line, before then being sent to the Eastern region to demonstrate it's power and speed in a region where no suitable traction was available to replace Sir Nigel Gresleys swift and powerful 4.6.2 express locos, particularly the A4 streamliner.

Having been deemed a success, British Railways ordered a batch of similar, more regular locos from English Electric, using the same powerplants and body design, these were to become the legendary Class 55 "Deltic" locomotives. DP1 was retired in 1961, just as the Class 55 began to enter service with BR. In total, 22 examples were built, those based in Scotland were named after army regiments (eg: 55002 "The Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry") and those based at Finsbury Park shed in London were named after racehorses (eg: 55007 "Pinza") They were exceptional machines throughout their existance under BR, they featured two Napier Deltic ex-marine minesweeper engines each with 18 cylinders and three cylinder banks, with three camshafts operating in harmony with one another. Each engine was derated from 1750bhp to 1650bhp to lengthen service life and time between overhauls, thus giving each locomotive a maximum power output of 3300bhp, far more than any other single engine design that was later produced in the same decade.

They were exclusively ECML express traffic engines, dominating the scene on the ECML from the early sixties until the early 80s. In the mid seventies, the advent of the Class 43 HST meant the Deltics were no longer the most powerful diesel loco BR had to offer, and were also less comfortable and easy to operate than the HST. So for this reason, the Deltic was phased out in the late seventies, and by 1981 the Deltics had disappeared from the network, the last regular train being the 16:30 Aberdeen - York service, hauled from Edinburgh by 55019 "Royal Highland Fusilier" arriving at York just after midnight. On 2nd January 1982 an enthusiasts special, named "The Deltic Scotsman Farewell" ran from London Kings Cross to Edinburgh Waverley and back, thus becoming the last ever train run by British Rail to be hauled by Deltic locomotives. Following a final farewell event at Doncaster works, the final surviving Deltics made their way to the scrap line, and an era of diesel traction on the ECML came to a sad end.

Despite the demise of the Deltic, it's popularity ensured that no fewer than 6 complete examples of the class were preserved in running condition. Furthermore 2 severed cabs of other locomotives were also preserved, the cab of 55008 has now become a "Deltic Simulator" which I have driven once, giving anybody the chance to get to grips with a Deltic loco. Of the six that were saved in complete form, only one is currently mainline, this one that is. 55022 "Royal Scots Grey" currently carries one of her original engines and one working engine from sister loco 55019 "Gordon Highlander", after a failiure of one of her powerplants left her with one active engine only. Here she is seen taking a breather at Preston station, whilst on a loco move from Crewe to Carnforth in preparation for a tour the following morning.

As a further note, this photo is now my desktop background.

Description
In 1955, following the absorbing of the Napier & Son engineering company into English Electric, EE produced a prototype high power high speed diesel locomotive for the UK rail network. Using two Napier Deltic powerplants, the loco was numbered "DP1" standing for Diesel Prototype 1, and was named "Deltic". First deployed onto the London Midland region of British Railways, the loco was then used on test trains across the Settle & Carlisle line, before then being sent to the Eastern region to demonstrate it's power and speed in a region where no suitable traction was available to replace Sir Nigel Gresleys swift and powerful 4.6.2 express locos, particularly the A4 streamliner.

Having been deemed a success, British Railways ordered a batch of similar, more regular locos from English Electric, using the same powerplants and body design, these were to become the legendary Class 55 "Deltic" locomotives. DP1 was retired in 1961, just as the Class 55 began to enter service with BR. In total, 22 examples were built, those based in Scotland were named after army regiments (eg: 55002 "The Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry") and those based at Finsbury Park shed in London were named after racehorses (eg: 55007 "Pinza") They were exceptional machines throughout their existance under BR, they featured two Napier Deltic ex-marine minesweeper engines each with 18 cylinders and three cylinder banks, with three camshafts operating in harmony with one another. Each engine was derated from 1750bhp to 1650bhp to lengthen service life and time between overhauls, thus giving each locomotive a maximum power output of 3300bhp, far more than any other single engine design that was later produced in the same decade.

They were exclusively ECML express traffic engines, dominating the scene on the ECML from the early sixties until the early 80s. In the mid seventies, the advent of the Class 43 HST meant the Deltics were no longer the most powerful diesel loco BR had to offer, and were also less comfortable and easy to operate than the HST. So for this reason, the Deltic was phased out in the late seventies, and by 1981 the Deltics had disappeared from the network, the last regular train being the 16:30 Aberdeen - York service, hauled from Edinburgh by 55019 "Royal Highland Fusilier" arriving at York just after midnight. On 2nd January 1982 an enthusiasts special, named "The Deltic Scotsman Farewell" ran from London Kings Cross to Edinburgh Waverley and back, thus becoming the last ever train run by British Rail to be hauled by Deltic locomotives. Following a final farewell event at Doncaster works, the final surviving Deltics made their way to the scrap line, and an era of diesel traction on the ECML came to a sad end.

Despite the demise of the Deltic, it's popularity ensured that no fewer than 6 complete examples of the class were preserved in running condition. Furthermore 2 severed cabs of other locomotives were also preserved, the cab of 55008 has now become a "Deltic Simulator" which I have driven once, giving anybody the chance to get to grips with a Deltic loco. Of the six that were saved in complete form, only one is currently mainline, this one that is. 55022 "Royal Scots Grey" currently carries one of her original engines and one working engine from sister loco 55019 "Gordon Highlander", after a failiure of one of her powerplants left her with one active engine only. Here she is seen taking a breather at Preston station, whilst on a loco move from Crewe to Carnforth in preparation for a tour the following morning.

As a further note, this photo is now my desktop background.