From: David Rodgers
Date: Tue, May 3, 2011 at 11:24 AM
Subject: FW: Day out with a difference
Hi,
Since privatisation and 'open access' strange things keep happening in the UK.
Few things are stranger than this though. Faced with a short-term increase in freight traffic freight operator GBRf were short of a loco so hired-in preserved 3300HP Deltic No. 55022. This once famous class of 22 locos (at the time of introduction in 1961, the most powerful diesel-electrics in the world) were built for high speed passenger traffic and rarely worked freight trains. Anyway, here is a preserved diesel working scheduled freight trains on the National Network, but for how long? Rumours are that it will cease on Friday or it could be July?
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After 2 glorious days without a single cloud photographing the NYMR Gala at the weekend I decided to try something different on Bank Holiday Monday (yesterday, 2nd May 2011).
With rumours that the short-term hire of preserved Deltic No. 55022 Royal Scots Grey for freight work in the North-East will shortly end I was determined to visit the area. Information suggested that the morning workings were replaced by a Class 66 and that the Deltic had gone to Tyne Dock for fuel. Nevertheless armed with the assurance that the afternoon workings would 'definitely' run with the Deltic we departed at midday and had a very easy drive with little traffic to Ashington arriving at 14.20, an area that I had never previously visited.
We waited a considerable time at Marchey's House crossing signalbox waiting for news, that was contradictory to say the least with just a couple of GBRf coal trains to break the boredom. The news filtered through that the Deltic was running light engine from Tyne Dock to Lynemouth to pick up its booked load of empties at 15.05, then it would be an hour late, then the working was cancelled and the loco would run light engine direct to Alcan North Blyth for a loaded train. Frustration was high at this point. Eventually, at 17.45, after over 3 hours waiting, No. 55022 rolled up light engine at North Blyth. After coupling up to the prepared train it was away at 18.05, at last we hadn't had a wasted day!
David
- 66730 heads south at Marcheys House signalbox with coal empties from Lynemouth.
- IMG_9595em.jpg (296.81 KiB) Viewed 1240 times
- 55022 nameplate
- IMG_9598em.jpg (300.21 KiB) Viewed 1240 times
- 55022 pulls away from the Alcan loading terminal at North Blyth with a loaded train to Lynemouth at 18.05.
- IMG_9603em.jpg (245.79 KiB) Viewed 1240 times
- With the North Sea as a backdrop 55022 accelerates past the terrace cottages at North Blyth.
- IMG_9608em.jpg (246.59 KiB) Viewed 1240 times
- Comes off the single line from North Blyth and passes Freemans Crossing.
- IMG_9578 (2)em.jpg (259.11 KiB) Viewed 1240 times
- Comes off the single line from North Blyth and passes Freemans Crossing.
- IMG_9614em.jpg (245.55 KiB) Viewed 1240 times
- With the gorse in full bloom 55022 approaches Alcan, Lynemouth.
- IMG_9619em.jpg (287.92 KiB) Viewed 1240 times
- With the gorse in full bloom 55022 approaches Alcan, Lynemouth.
- IMG_9622em.jpg (269.89 KiB) Viewed 1240 times
