DRS buys Deltic
 

Well according to the latest issue of Rail (603), DRS is buying 55016. It will be restored to mainline condition by Harry Needles and then be based at Carlisle Kingmoor.

Recession - what recession ? ;)

this is great news, :) look forward to seeing the end results.
Regards

I am delighted to hear that it is passing out of Harry Needles "care" so quickly. Of course ownership by DRS does not necessarily mean it future is secure, but a least for the moment 55016 has a future!

Best wishes,

John H-T.

Deltic! Forgive my ignorance but is that the blue electric loco thats at Shildon? And what or who is DRS?

Deltic is a class of diesels, officially known as Class 55s. The prototype is called Deltic and is indeed on display at Shildon. DRS is Direct Rail Services, an operating company who I belive deal mainly with frieght.

Ah right,I just thought there was only one Deltic left.

Hi John, it looks like you're not keen on Harry Needles. I've never had any experience of them, are they undesirable ?

Direct Rail Services is the company set up by British Nuclear Fuel, originally to handle the transport of nuclear flasks by train. Since then they've branched out to do all manner of freight work; ie, Rail Head Treatment Trains, Intermodal Flows, Eddie Stobart and Tesco work, routelearning, etc.

What is special about them is that they like to use restored Heritage Traction (plus a few 66s). IIRC they have Class 20, 31, 37, 47 and now 55s. They are hinting that they're going to use the Deltic on freight movements, but it seems a bit of a waste when they're ideal for charter work. :confused:

In many ways I would rather not comment, but lets just say that the concept of buying a classic loco for its bogies and spares seems very much in line with my perception of HNR philosophy!

Best wishes,

John H-T.

Understood ;)

Thanks John

I used to go spotting with Harry and his brother, he lived just round the corner from me in Golborne when we were kids. he was a couple of years older than me, I remember upsetting him once when I said I preferred Deltics to Class 40s! He didn't speak to me after that.
He is an enthusiast though, at least. Even when he lived at his mums their back garden was full of bits of trains, probably sourced from Springs Branch depot!