PU 430 is back!
- nigeljulian
- Dec 11, 2025
- 2 min read
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 housed in the DPS depot at Barrow Hill for visitors to enjoy.
Power unit 430, with only 2633 hours on the clock since its last overhaul, and having been removed from 55004 and installed in 55008 in November 1981 also survives and is purchased by the DPS as a spare power unit, eventually being placed just a few feet away from the preserved cab of the locomotive it was once one of the beating hearts of.
Fast forward to May 2024, and 55009 suffers a power unit failure and PU 451 enters a period of inactivity and Alycidon is down to one engine.
Once again, attention turns to the sleeping giant, PU430.
Refurbished injectors, fuel pumps, hoses, a completely overhauled zero hours phasing case, refurbished main and auxiliary generators are fitted. Total cost around £45,000.
November 2025 rolls around and all is ready for the power unit swop. 55009’s roof section is removed, 451 extracted and 430 installed. 451 is returned to the depot to occupy the space previously filled with 430.
Today, Wednesday 10th December 2025, with hearts in mouths and fingers crossed…………….
Welcome back, after 44 years,to PU 430!
The unit will now get a thorough check over, nipping up any connections that may have freed off slightly etc. Testing starts after the Christmas break to get some hours running in, initially on the branch at Barrow Hill.
PU 451 will have the main and auxiliary generators removed and then the phasing case, in which we believe the problem lies, can be taken off and assessed.
PU423 is next in line to be bought back into service, and an appeal to raise funds is under way.
If you can, please consider a donation. Every £1 is very much appreciated.
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