In 1977, many people realised that the future introduction of High Speed Trains on the East Coast Main Line meant the days of the Deltics were numbered. A small group of enthusiasts decided on a long-term aim to preserve a working Deltic locomotive, and formed the Deltic Preservation Society in order to raise funds to do this.

They were so successful that, following withdrawal from British Rail in 1982, membership had reached more than 1500, and the society was able to purchase not one but two locomotives, Alycidon (55009) and Royal Highland Fusilier (55019). Following completion of the sale, the two locos were moved from Doncaster Works, where they had been stored, to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway in August 1982 and put into service immediately. A third example, Tulyar (55015), based at the Midland Railway Centre, was added in 1986 when it was purchased from Peter Sansom.

Since then, our locomotives have made appearances over the country, and have hauled trains on a wide variety of private lines including the the East Lancashire, Great Central, Keighley & Worth Valley, Llangollen, Mid-Hants, Nene Valley, Severn Valley, and West Somerset Railways.

Twenty seven years after the first purchases, the society is well placed to build on its success as a leading locomotive preservation society. The society aims to preserve its locos for many years to come, and with this in mind, one of our machines (55015 Tulyar) is currently undergoing a major overhaul on its bodywork at Barrow Hill. A major overhaul at ICI Wilton, lasting almost eight years and one of the most comprehensive overhauls carried out to any preserved diesel locomotive to date, was completed on D9009 Alycidon in 1998 prior to the loco returning to the main line.

Early in 1998, the society announced that it was negotiating with VSOE (Venice Simplon Orient Express) to return its machines to the main line for use in its' northern-based Pullman commencing operation in 1999. These negotiations were successful and two of our locomotives were certified for use on Railtrack lines during 1999, D9009 and 55019 seeing regular use on VSOE workings until the company ceased operating its own train in October 2000. The locos have now returned to the preserved railway circuit, and also appear on several main line railtours which are organized by the society - members enjoy priority booking and advance notice of these trains. The locos are also hired by other operators for charter trains on occasions.

As mentioned above, the third, 55015 Tulyar, is currently part way through a major overhaul, and it is the society's intention to certify this loco for main line running also, once repairs are complete. In addition, with the long term preservation of the loco's in mind, the society has recently constructed a depot and maintenance facility at Barrow Hill - providing undercover accommodation.

July 2003 saw the DPS granted Charitable Status by the Charities Commission, recognising the society's commitment to educate the public about the achievements of the Deltic Locomotive in British Railway history. On this site you can learn some of the history of the Deltics, and it is planed to expand the FAQ and other sections during the next few months.

If you are interested in joining the UK's largest diesel locomotive preservation group, please click on the 'Join' section on the main menu to the left.

The Deltic Preservation Society Limited is a Registered Charity, Number 1098733. Registered Office: The DPS Depot, Campbell Drive, Barrow Hill, Staveley, Chesterfield, S43 2PR.

DPS Board Contact Information
(NB When e-mailing board members it will be necessary for you to amend the 'AT' in the e-mail address to'@' - unfortunately, it has been necessary to do this to reduce the amount of spam being generated by web crawlers.)

Chairman - Murray Brown
Vice Chairman - Jim Dedicoat
Company Secretary - Peter Kennan
Editor 'Deltic Deadline' - Stuart Page
Publicity Officer - Nigel Paine
Engineer - Ray Ekins
Financial Secretary - Peter Kennan
Membership Secretary - Richard Senior
Sales Officer - Ian Lewis
Volunteer Liaison Officer - Mike Hallam-Rudd
Without Portfolio - Graham Clarke

Last Updated Saturday, December 13 2008 @ 18:47 PM GMT