55009 'Alycidon' at 95mph with 'The Capital Deltic Reprise'! - 29/07/23

Making a return to the mainline for the first time in nearly 4½ years, Deltic Preservation Society's 55009 'Alycidon' took Pathfinder Tours' 'The Capital Deltic Reprise' from Willington to London Kings Cross. From Willington the train would run through Derby, Chesterfield and Sheffield to Doncaster. To allow the train to be facing south, it ran north to Pontefract, and turned right at Gascoigne Wood and again at Selby to rejoin the ECML at Temple Hurst Jn. After a dash to Peterborough, the train would run via March to Ely and then Cambridge to Hitchin to reach Kings Cross. The return ran down the ECML to Newark, where the train would travel via Lincoln to Cleethorpes. Following a reversal to Ulceby, 55009 would lead to back to Willington via Doncaster, Sheffield and Derby.

The Deltic is first seen at Cromwell, north of Newark. At Burton Wetmore Sidings, the coaching stock required a major shunt for the charter, and so it left 47 minutes late. The crew were evidently keen to make up for lost time as 'Alycidon' was racing along through Cromwell at 95mph! The characteristic Deltic drone can be heard as 55009 storms past the level crossing with the eclectic 12 coach train.

Next we catch up with the Deltic at Welwyn North. Having rejoined the ECML behind 2C41 Cambridge - Kings Cross stopper, the Class 55 had a clear line from Digswell Jn. As such, 'Alycidon' can be heard roaring through the Welwyn Tunnels. Two shots hoots and the train bursts from the tunnel, with both engines screaming away in a cloud of two stroke smoke! The train gathers speed towards Kings Cross with no assistance from 47826 at the rear.


Excellent to see 'Alycidon' back on the mainline and on home metals! The Deltic drone is well and truly back!


Timestamps:

00:00 - Cromwell
01:14 - Welwyn North


Filmed on a Panasonic HC-X1500 with an AudioTechnica AT8024 Microphone.


Enjoy.