DPS review of 2025.
- nigeljulian
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
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 heritage group's year, but it was just the start.
A couple of weeks later the phasing case from PU 430 was returned after being completely overhauled by Compact Orbital Gears, and 55009 received white Finsbury Park window surrounds as part of its sprucing up ready for the 2025 season.
Down the road at Loughborough, 55019 was woken from its winter slumber and received a brand new set of batteries and ran on both engines before undergoing an A exam.
April saw 55019 make the society’s first gala appearance of the year at the GCR Spring diesel gala, and the rough running of the second engine in D9015 was sorted after a prolonged period of investigation which was followed by testing on the branch at Barrow Hill.
May saw further progress on 55009’s spruce up with 55019 working steadily at the GCR hosting driver experiences and taking part in a 96 mile Deltic running day, alongside a guest of honour appearance at the AGM.
Onto the summer months, and it was 55009's turn to star in two June galas, at the NYMR and KWVR, much to the delight of the visitors.
July’s DPS model show weekend was a great success, with 55009 on display outside the depot and D9015 by the main entrance to Barrow Hill. On both days D9015 was run on both engines. A sight and sound unique to this event.
August, and the biggest railway event most of us will see in our lifetimes, The Greatest Gathering at Derby. All three of the society's Deltics made the journey to Alstom, 19 by road transport from the GCR with 9 and 15 as part of a convoy from Barrow Hill. The sight of the two Deltics in Derby station was enough to draw a crowd in the late evening.
Sadly, 19 wasn’t on full view during the event, but 9 and 15 were especially popular exhibits with a steady queue of people waiting to visit Tulyar's cab throughout the three day extravaganza.
Another two gala appearances followed in September, with 55019 doing the duties at the GCR gala while shortly afterwards 55009 shattered the countryside peace with the first visit to a gala at the Dean Forest Railway.
Slowing down into October, but another large event with the Rail 200 celebrations at Barrow Hill. 15 on display in the yard and 9 outside the DPS depot entertaining the crowds with engine runs.
At the end of the month 55019 returned to its home depot and entered a long overdue period of maintenance which will see the locomotive out of action for 2026.
Although the gala season was now over many people would think it would be time for the volunteers to relax and put their feet up.
Not for the DPS. November saw another visit by the sales team to the model railway show at the NEC in Birmingham. Restoration of Tulyar continued to edge towards the finish line when the train air brake issue was successfully resolved and we can move onto getting the vacuum brakes working correctly. The final jobs were completed on PU 430 and in the middle of the month this was fitted to 55009 in place of the defective PU451.
The last month of the year rolls round. Time for one more major achievement? Why not?
After having last run in December 1981 while fitted to 55008, PU 430 roared back into life on December 10th putting Alycidon firmly back into fully operational two engine condition.
All three of the DPS locomotives now on both engines for the first time in almost 30 years.
So that’s where we leave 2025.
Thank you to all the volunteers, society members, heritage railways, suppliers, industry partners, all those who came along to see the locos, bought gala tickets, raffle tickets, purchases from the sales stand, dropped money into collection buckets and donated to the fundraisers.
Details for 2026 will be announced as and when they are confirmed with the usual caveats of subject to loco availability. Our locos are 65 years old next year and have been preserved for twice as long as they were in service.
After the return to service of PU 430 attention is turning to our other low hours power unit, number 423 which last run in 55007 Pinza.
If you would like to donate to the GoFundme appeal for this please click on the link below.
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