There has been a lot happening in the Deltic world during the past month or so, with the 'Doncaster Works - A Deltic Tribute' event and the completion of 55022's repair and return to traffic at the ELR. The Editor of Deltic Deadline, Ian Dobson, would be delighted to hear from anyone who would like to write about their recent Deltic experiences for the magazine. Indeed any Deltic articles would be appreciated. The press date for the next issue is September 11th - please contact Ian at EditorATthedps.co.uk (replacing AT with @ ) if you would like to contribute.

Fresh from its contract bodywork repair at the DPS depot, Royal Scots Grey returned to traffic at its new home the East Lancs Railway as planned this weekend, performing on all three days of the line's gala. Further details on the future activities of 55022 can be found on the RSG website by clicking here.

To coincide with the loco's return to traffic, a new gallery "Deltics on the ELR - Past & Present" has gone live today. Please visit the Gallery section of the website to view this, which features five different Deltics.

Photo (right) shows the loco at Rawtenstall. (Ian Dobson)

Following a successful test run to Newcastle earlier this week after its repairs for Martin Walker, 55022 Royal Scots Grey departed from the DPS depot at Barrow Hill for its new home at Bury on the East Lancashire Railway on August 31st. The loco will be in action during the Diesel Gala at the ELR this weekend - more details and the loco roster are on the Bury Diesel Group website which can be accessed by clicking here.

Photo (right) shows the loco departing Barrow Hill. (Simon Hartshorne)

55002 returned to the National Railway Museum at York on August 29th, following a visit to the DPS Depot at Barrow Hill for the "Doncaster Works - A Deltic Tribute" event earlier this month.

The loco was hauled back north behind 55022 Royal Scots Grey, which undertook a loaded test run on the East Coast Main Line following its overhaul by DPS Commercial Services for Martin Walker/Beaver Sports. The photo (right) shows the pair of blue Deltics (plus 47703 and FM stock) at Bolton Percy.

The August/September 2006 issue of 'Deltic Deadline' has now been despatched to members. In this issue, read our new Engineer's plans for the immediate future, and step back in time to late 1981 to read Tim Rogers' account of the last week of Deltic operations.

Copies of the magazine will be on sale at the 'Doncaster Works - A Deltic Tribute' event at Barrow Hill on August 12th/13th, and can also be obtained by sending a cheque for £2.00 (payable to 'DPSCS Ltd') to:

DPS Sales,
34 Lucy Hall Drive,
Baildon,
Shipley,
BD17 5BH.

As mentioned in the last Deltic Deadline the Society is planning a sponsored walk - two actually - based around the Middleton Railway in Leeds on this date. This is to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the first DPS sponsored walk in 1981 which ended with a special DPS charter there.

The final routes will be tested in the next couple of weeks and you should have the choice of a family friendly short stroll around Middleton Woods and Park from the train or a longer Historical Rail Trail taking in the historic Railway sites of Leeds - including those with Deltic connections! It is hoped that a DPS charter and barbeque will take place after the last train at around 17.00. Details of the Middleton Railway can be found at www.middletonrailway.org.uk

If you would like to take part in this social fundraiser please use the sponsor form which can be found HERE but please also contact EditorATthedps.co.uk (replacing AT with @ )to let me know that you are intending to come along. Further details will also be posted here shortly.

I look forward to seeing you there.

Ian Dobson, Organiser

The DPS is now putting the finishing touches to the arrangements for this not to be missed event. Full details will be announced as soon as possible here and on the DPS infoline. Advanced ticket application forms will be posted once all arrangements are confirmed, and copies will also be available for download from this website.

Please note that this event can only go ahead if we are confident of at least breaking even before the event actually takes place. If you are intending to come along (and if not, why not?) please order your tickets in advance.

Can you help with any Deltic memorabilia or photos of Deltics in the Works? Also required are Deltic headboards for the event - especially those displayed on the locos at the plant on February 27th 1982.

We hope you agree that the return of these locomotives to the repair facility that maintained them and kept them running, and the works reverberating to the sound of Napiers, is a fitting send off the the Crimpsall Repair Shop.

This will be your last chance to see Deltics at The Plant and the final chance to visit the works before closure in 2008 and subsequent demolition.

Please contact Ian Lewis at salesATthedps.co.uk (replacing 'AT' with an '@') if you can help with any of the above.

Issue 171 of Deltic Deadline is in the process of being despatched to all DPS members, who should receive their copies in the next few days. In this issue, Nigel Paine looks at the origin of the 'Royal Scots Grey' nameplate, whilst, as a prelude to the Deltic Crimpsall Farewell, an account of the event at Doncaster on February 27th 1982 by Bob Peach which first appeared in Deltic Deadline 26 is reprinted.

Any non-members wishing to purchase a copy of the magazine may do so by sending a cheque for £2 (made payable to DPSCS Ltd) to:
DPS Sales,
34 Lucy Hall Drive,
Baildon,
Shipley,
BD17 5BH.

Following a 'stuffing session' of in excess of 1000 envelopes, the April/May 2006 issue of Deltic Deadline has now been despatched to all DPS members. In this issue, further details about "The Deltic Crimpsall Farewell" event which is being planned, hopefully featuring all six surviving Deltics, are revealed. Also, Alan Lewin tells of his Deltic experiences from the footplate in the 1960s, whilst Nigel Paine explains a Deltic modification made involving Pukah Louvres.

Any non-members wishing to purchase a copy of the magazine may do so by sending a cheque for £2 (made payable to DPSCS Ltd) to:
DPS Sales,
34 Lucy Hall Drive,
Baildon,
Shipley,
BD17 5BH.

As a result of the recent resignation of its Engineer, the Deltic Preservation Society (DPS) regrets that it has to cancel its forthcoming railtour on April 29th.

All those who have booked will be contacted in due course.

The DPS is unable to say what the future will bring regarding operating its locomotives on Network Rail. The engineering function and operating structure of the Society will now need to be re-assessed. This may take some time and will involve input from the Society’s full membership.

The DPS would like to acknowledge the enormous contribution made by Simon Hartshorne during the many years he has been the Society’s Engineer.