On Thursday 15th July D9009 assisted the Great Central Railway to fulfil a contract to test wagons for Network Rail. The test train was organised at short notice and because it was scheduled to operate at speeds of up to 75mph, there had to be no advance publicity and the railway had to be closed to photographers and other onlookers. The Board apologies that it was not possible to allow members to be present for the reasons explained.

Mike Hallam-Rudd and Graham Clarke report that the locomotive performed well and the runs gave the engineers the opportunity to test the locomotive and to take oil samples to review the condition of engine 408 after a recent injector change.

The next scheduled runs of D9009 are on 24/25 July 2010 at the Mail by Rail Gala. The timetables for that event are now published on the GCR website click HERE.

and when we have final details of the times for the mail drops then we will post that on the DPS website.

Peter Kennan

The photo by Steve Taylor, authorised by the GCR, shows Alycidon during the testing.

D9009 has now been transported to the Great Central Railway ready for the Summer season. The first working will be the Mail by Rail event on 24th & 25th July

The depot was a bit quieter today but focus was again on D9009. Alycidon’s roof, the exterior cab window frames and internally one side of the engine room was given a thorough clean, next week Alycidon will be outside to have her body and bogies washed. The Axle boxes have been put back together following the UAT last week. On D9015 some of the replacement cabling was being fitted.

The depot was a hive of activity this weekend. We had some new and returning volunteers inspecting and starting work on the spare power units with the intention to make one serviceable over the coming weeks/months. Power unit 439 after initial inspection has been chosen as the first power unit to be worked on so the generator has started to be stripped down and the crank case covers have been off to have a brief look at the internals. In the depot work focused on D9009 to sign off some final jobs and make sure Alycidon is ready for her holiday. Inside the fuel strainers have been out, checked, cleaned and refitted then we re-primed the fuel system. Some air release valves were changed and the scavenge blower oil strainers were also removed checked, cleaned and refitted. On the outside the axle box covers were being removed to take off the tab plates and ends caps so Alycidon could have her UAT on the Sunday. While the axle boxes are apart the opportunity has been taken to clean the end caps, bolts and tab plates and replace gaskets and tab plates that had seen better days. 55019 had her batteries on charge and bed plates on the public gangway side were drained. On D9015 some replacement cabling was being made up and more electrical component were being overhauled. In the workshop some of the conduit piping for Tulyar’s engine room lights have been stripped down and are in undercoat.
Sunday and Graham Werritt from SERCO came to the depot and did the UAT for Alycidon, which passed.

Photos from the day have been added to the gallery here.

JIB CRANE SURPLUS TO REQUIREMENTS

The DPS has a jib crane that is surplus to our requirements. Expressions of interest should, in the first instance, be made to the engineer at engineerATthedps.co.uk (replace AT with @).

Photos/dimensions are available HERE.

The internal roof sections on D9015 have started to be sanded down ready for a repaint. Some more of the electrical components were inspected, cleaned and electrical readings taken to see how well they work. On D9009 both oil scavenger strainers have been removed, examined, cleaned and refitted. The non return valve from hand priming pump on no.2 unit has been returned following repairs. Some additional brake checks and adjustments have been made. The orange warning stripes that were fitted to Alycidon to move on the mainline have been removed. The simulator in 9008 has been receiving electrical attention and operating checks.

Deltic items recently sold at Sheffield Railwayana Auctions were a flame cut number panel from 55 011 which went for £950 and a face restored worksplate from 55 013 that sold for £2100

The DPS Members Day will this year be held at the Great Central Railway on Saturday 4th September.

There is free travel all weekend (4th and 5th) on the GCR for DPS members. If your membership has lapsed or you want to join the DPS please do so now and you will receive full travel worth well more than the cost of your subscription!

The plan is that Alycidon will work the following diagram but of course this is subject to change:

Saturday:
10.55 Driver Experience light engine Loughborough (LBH) to Leicester North (LEI) - return arrive LBH 11.55
12.15 Passenger service LBH-LEI with Griddle car service - return arrive LBH at 13.26.
13.55 Driver Experience light engine LBH-LEI-LBH arrive 14.55
16.45 Passenger service LBH-LEI-LBH arrive LBH 17.55.
19.00 DPS Special Fish and Chip Train - more details later.

Sunday
10.55 Driver Experience
12.15 Passenger
13.55 Driver Experience

A full steam passenger service will also be operating and DPS members, as mentioned, have free travel.

We are planning some extra attractions but isn't this enough to get you to Loughborough for the weekend? Hopefully see you there.

We reserve the right to modify the programme due to operating issues. Remember that we can only do our best and that the DPS Board is only human.

Peter Kennan

Better late than never. The much awaited book on Finsbury Park DMD is here. The book was delivered on the Thursday before the Finsbury Park - Diesel Dawn event.
Could this be the book of the year?

It is hardbacked with a full colour dust jacket, 280 pages with 16 colour pages. Contents range from the depots construction right through to the site today. All classes of locomotives associated with the depot are represented as are all 22 Deltics.

Photos of the Depot after closure are included, which are not only a part of the depots history but are very useful if you are looking at modelling a diesel depot. A review of the book will be featured in the next issue of Deltic Deadline.

Priced at £24.99 plus £4.00 p&p to UK mainland. Please enquire for overseas postage rates to salesATthedps.co.uk (please replace AT with @).
Please note that due to the book weighing 1.6kg delivery from date of postage will be 4 to 5 working days, delivery can be faster but at extra cost for this option please contact us at the above e-mail address

An ideal fathers day present (June 20th), please order in good time.

Due to the books size, and the fact that no boxes containing the book were opened prior to the event, packaging has had to be sourced after the weekends celebrations. Pre-orders are being processed and dispatched.

Sales are going well, the first print run is 750 copies. Please order your copy now to avoid disappointment.

During the visit of Alycidon to the Great Central Railway a Deltic Pullman dining train has been organised on 30 September leaving Loughborough at 7.30pm. The train will use the GCR's new Pullman rake - Green Deltic and Umber/Cream stock hopefully with an appropriate headboard. Almost ECML 1960's.

The 5 course meal will cost £48.50 for DPS members (including rail ticket) and the menu is below.

DELTIC PULLMAN MENU

Fan Melon and Parma ham served with dressed Rocket
Melon with Fresh Raspberries (v)
xxx
Spring Vegetable soup, fresh crusty bread & butter
xxx
Crispy Pork Belly served on a base of Apple Puree and Roast Gravy
or
Goats cheese tart with Asparagus sauce (v)
xxx
Broccoli Florets
Baton Carrots
Green Beans
Roast Potatoes & New Potatoes
Xxx
Lemon Tart with Fresh whipped cream
or Fresh Fruit Salad
Xxx
Coffee and Petit Fours

Bookings should be made via the Booking office at Loughborough on 01509 230726. The best person to speak to is Steve Saunders who usually works on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Further details are on the GCR website - www.gcrailway.co.uk. Alternatively e-mail me at secretaryATthedps.co.uk (as usual replacing AT with @). I hope to see you there.
Peter Kennan