Tracking Down 4: In Search of the BR Class 55 Deltics

Tracking Down 4: In Search of the BR Class 55 Deltics

Each of British Railways’ English Electric Deltic locomotives was 99 tons of ingenious British engineering. Capable of exceeding 100mph, powered by two engines with 36 cylinders containing 72 pistons driving six crankshafts at 1,500rpm generating 3,300hp and an incredible, unique sound. What’s not to admire?

In the post-steam era of British Railways, there were perhaps three types of diesel locomotive that attracted a truly fanatical, dedicated following of enthusiasts. Firstly, there were the stylish Class 52 diesel-hydraulics of the Western Region, which were all withdrawn by 1977. Then there were the more numerous and longer-lived English Electric Class 40 diesel-electrics with their distinctive whistling sound.

Being brought up in the northeast of England though, it was the unique, twin Napier-engined Deltic Class 55 diesel-electrics on the East Coast Main Line that we found most inspirational. There were only twenty-two of them, which gave them an additional layer of exclusivity. Nothing else came close in terms of the noise they made, their sheer physical presence, and their breathtaking performance. Put simply, they were the loudest, fastest and most powerful diesel locomotives in Britain. With their evocative, charismatic names recalling famous regiments and thoroughbred racehorses, these mighty locomotives were worthy successors to the LNER Pacifics and they ruled the ECML for two decades.