21/1/26. A day of testing at Barrow Hill in miserable midwinter weather saw 55009 making multiple trips along the branch at Barrow Hill. Test runs were undertaken using the recently refurbished power unit 430, which was started in December for the first time in 44 years. The loco was also run on its second unit, PU408, and finished the day with a few twin engine runs. As is to be expected, the test runs showed up a few very minor issues which were addressed by the engineers a

We are getting close to the point where D9015 Tulyar is ready for its big “return to service” exam, after which it will enter a period of testing to accumulate some miles and iron out whatever teething troubles crop up. Only after this has been completed to the engineering teams satisfaction will the loco be released for traffic to heritage railways. On completion of the testing, the first trains to run will be for DPS members only and we anticipate there will be a big demand

A review of 2025. As the shutters are closed on the DPS depot and everyone takes a well earned couple of weeks off, it’s the time of year to reflect on events over the last twelve months, and what a year it’s been for the society and our three locomotives! Back in February, appropriately on the 15th, Tulyar moved under its own power for the first time since April 1997. Just take a moment to read that again and let it sink in. That one event alone would be the highlight of any

Merry Christmas from everyone at the DPS. The volunteers are taking a short break to enjoy the holidays and recharge our own batteries before we get stuck back into the jobs list. Thank you everyone for your support as always, especially over the last 12 months which has been an amazing year for our three Deltics. Look out for a 2025 review coming in that period of the season between Christmas and New Year where nobody knows what day it is and it’s quite acceptable to have a

The winners of the DPS Christmas Raffle 2025 are… 1st Prize £250 08066 Macklin 2nd Prize £100 04914 M Grainger 3rd Prize £50 19473 A McDaid 4th Prize £50 10651 J Dowson 5th Prize £50 18189 P Smith Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to everyone who bought a ticket and help support the DPS.

We are coming to the end of another season at Barrow Hill Roundhouse. This weekend, 13/14th December is your last chance to visit this year before the facility closes to the public for the winter break.

31st December 1981, the final service day of Deltic operation, and 55008 The Green Howards is at Finsbury Park scheduled to work the 14.03 Kings Cross to York. Fate intervenes, as the loco fails to start due to flat batteries. After 7842 days in service, Deltic #8 bows out. The sad trip to Doncaster works is followed by the fate of all but six of the Deltics, but parts of 55008 survive to live on. The number 2 end cab is purchased privately and eventually is restored and hou

An outstanding video from our colleagues at Hellfire TV just landed on YouTube. Turn the volume up and enjoy 55009 shattering the peace of the Dean Forest at the diesel gala last September. There’s also the added bonus of a 40 minute interview with Pete Stojanovic. https://youtu.be/RAAlhpK4yGk?si=fMh6sSyzBka4B2nD

The latest arrival to our sales department are the Bachmann Class 13 shunters in BR blue. 35-946 and 35-946SF are in stock in limited quantities and available to order through our online store. 35-946 is priced at £345 with free P+P 35-946 is priced at £460 with free P+P The Class 13 Diesel Shunter is one of the few classes of diesel locomotive never to have been modelled in OO scale, until now! After mastering the Class 08, Bachmann Branchline has been slaving away on model

Wow, the DPS has just hit 20,000 followers on Facebook. So 20K 👍 and “Thank you” from everybody for your support! To help us celebrate, why not treat yourself to a DPS Christmas Raffle ticket? Only £2 each and five cash prizes.Top prize £250! The draw will take place on December 14th. https://www.thedps.co.uk/product-page/dps-christmas-raffle

We are pleased to announce that Memories of Motion have created four print products based on Trevor Ermel's photo of 55018 at York in August 1981 to support The Deltic Preservation Society. 100% of the profits will be donated to the DPS. There is a Matted Print and three different framed prints. The Float Frame product is limited to 100 frames and will come with an individually numbered Certificate. The DPS would like to thanks Trevor Ermel for use of the photo and Ian Simpso

When the DPS undertook the first Deltic Power Unit swop back in 1984 it was headline news in the heritage diesel world but now it’s just another one of the multitude of tasks that the society undertake almost as matter of course. Naturally it’s something that we don’t want to be doing regularly but when the need arises the plan goes into action and the job gets done quickly, efficiently and safely. Today, 17/11/25, saw the intrepid team of volunteers, with assistance from Mer

Following on from the phasing case appeal, proceeds from which have gone towards the refurbished “zero hours” phasing case now fitted to PU430,the Go Fund me has evolved into a Power Unit overhaul fundraiser aimed at returning PU423 to operational status. Our target figure is £40K. A breakdown of this target is detailed on the GoFund me page. Each and every £1 donated is very much appreciated and goes towards our aim of having all three DPS Deltics fully operational on both e

A new book with Deltic content titled A Railwayman's View Volume 3 Eastern Region is now available from Memories of Motion priced at £30 + £5 P+P. DPS members can obtain free P+P by applying a discount code available by emailing dpscssales@outlook.com The Society also receives a £5 donation for every book sold to a member. The book documents the Eastern Region through detailed chapters covering: London Kings Cross:  Three decades of photographs from the 1960s to 1980s Finsbur

Depot report 25/10/25 55019 is now entering a period of maintenance as we head towards its return to the mainline.The engine room floor was degreased and cleaned, Cab floors also degreased and mopped. D9015. New vacuum hoses fitted on the buffer beams. All three of the locos will be receiving new vacuum hoses and seals over the next few months. 55009. Delectricians worked on disconnecting PU 451 ready for the PU swop next month. Depot. More fettling of electrical contactors a

55019 has been shunted round to the DPS depot this morning. Weekend visitors between now and when the Barrow Hill Roundhouse closes for winter on December 14th will have the opportunity to see all three of the DPS Deltics together. 55019 will now enter a period of maintenance geared towards being certified mainline again. 55009 is due to have a power unit swop in November while D9015 continues to progress towards its long awaited return to traffic. Photos MHR

The board was most sad to hear of the passing of Vice President Michael S Baker on Friday October 10. His knowledge of Napier power units was nothing short of extraordinary and he came to the ‘rescue’ of the DPS engineering volunteers on countless occasions. Mike lived at Colchester and for many years worked for Paxman Diesels who undertook Napier power unit repairs for both BR and the Admiralty. He became closely involved with the DPS as long ago as the Autumn 1981 in the fi

The winners of The Black Watch raffle are… 1st Prize. 00281 Simon Best. 2nd Prize. 00059 June Palmer. 3rd Prize. 00821 D Ford Winners...

The first day of the Barrow Hill Rail 200 event is underway. Today, 55009 is running on the branch. On Saturday and Sunday Alycidon will...

Just a few days to go until the Rail 200 event at Barrow Hill. 55009- the loco will be operating on the shuttles top and tail with a...