'Deltic' at Leith Central station

Leith Central Station

Thank you to Mike Jarron for providing the photograph above. Mike wrote:

"Here, 'Deltic' is in the old Leith Central station which was used to stable diesels before the line was finally closed."

Mike Jarron: East Lothian, Scotland: February 22, 2007

The station was in fact used for several years to stable diesel multiple units after it closed to passengers. It was then demolished to allow a swim centre and supermarket to be built on the site.

Thank you to Donald Grant, now living in Penicuik, who gave the following comments. These help to date the photograph above. Donald wrote:

Deltic

1955 to 1959

"Moving on to a photo on the site of 'Deltic' at Leith Central I have a little more info on that.

The loco in the photo is in fact the prototype of the Deltic class and that came into service with British Rail in 1955. It did not appear on the Edinburgh area until 1959 when it spent five days of testing on the Waverley route. It was then diagrammed to work the East Coast Main Line (ECML) alongside the A4 Pacific steam locos."

Deltic

1959 to 1961

"The loco suffered a major failure in 1961 * and never returned to traffic so that perhaps helps date the picture to between 1959 and 1961.

The loco is now part of the national collection and was last seen by me at Locomotion, Shildon, Co. Durham three years ago."

* See also: comments from Andy Shortel (below.)

Deltics

up to 1977

"Production Deltics (which didn't have the headlamp on the nose) entered service on the ECML replacing the A4s and ran until they were replaced by 125 units from 1977. In all 22 production Deltics were built and six survived into preservation.

The Deltic name comes from the triangular cylinder arrangement of the diesel engine which was developed from a Napier marine engine.

Donald Grant, Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland: September 5, 2007

Thank you to Andy Shortel, Edinburgh, who wrote:

Deltic

Reason for 1961 Withdrawal

"I have just read the entry about the prototype Deltic. The author says it suffered a failure in 1961, causing its withdrawal.

According to the book I have, Deltic was withdrawn not due to serious failure, but due to the 22 production Deltics entering full service.

A few of the engine internals and traction motors were different in design and their gear ratios were different, so it would have been non-standard as far as spare parts supply went.

I'm not saying the author is wrong & I am right. I am merely casting doubt over that statement.

Andy Shortel, Edinburgh: February 1, 2008

Thank you, Andrew, for your comments (above). However, whatever the reason for Deltic's withdrawal, it still seems that the photograph above is likely to have been take between 1959 and 1961.

Peter Stubbs: February 3, 2008

Donald Grant replied:

Deltic

Reason for 1961 Withdrawal

"I note that Andy Shortel has responded doubting my note on the reason for the withdrawal of Deltic .

He is correct in saying in relation to the production version it had 'non standard' parts.

However, you may like to have a look at this page on The Railway Centre web site. This was the source of my information that I sent in September 2007."

Donald Grant, Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland: February 19, 2008