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

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. The stylish Class 52 diesel-hydraulics of the Western Region were all withdrawn by 1977. Then there were the longer-lived English Electric Class 40 diesel-electrics with their distinctive whistling sound. Coming from the northeast of England the authors found twin Napier-engined Deltic Class 55 diesel-electrics on the East Coast Main Line most inspirational. Nothing else came close in terms of the noise they made, their sheer physical presence, and their breathtaking performance. 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.