2. The Coronation Deltic-19.08.23

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2023 > 59. A GN/GE Joint reprise & The Coronation Deltic-18 & 19.08.23 > 2. The Coronation Deltic-19.08.23

Andy and I arrived at Peterborough station in plenty of time in order to board The Coronation Deltic charter to Scarborough. All went well with us enjoying some spirited running behind the Deltic Preservation Society's 55009 'Alycidon' masquerading for the day, perhaps unluckily, as 55013 'The Black Watch'. However, on the return journey, things took a turn for the worst meaning a very late arrival back home!

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Images 1-35 of 35 displayed.

180104, GC 07.48 London King's Cross-Sunderland (1N90, 15L), Peterborough station
Grand Central's 180104 passes through Peterborough station working the 07.48 King's Cross to Sunderland service. Reportedly, GC is having reliability issues with the Class 180s, something that comes as no surprise given their chequered history and they are looking to temporarily lease some of the off-lease AWC Class 221s.
Keywords: 180104 07.48 London King's Cross-Sunderland 1N90 Peterborough station Grand Central

82208, GR 07.15 Leeds-London King's Cross (1A09, 2E), Peterborough station
DVT 82208 heads the 07.15 Leeds to King's Cross at full line speed through Peterborough station. The LNER take on the InterCity swallow livery is pretty good keeping the thirty-year-old trains looking fresh. Notice the young lad crouching down on the platform videoing the passage of the train on his 'phone. He was one of a number of youngsters around Peterborough station engaged in what we would have referred to, back in the day, as trainspotting but today seems to revolve around technology with not a single note book and pencil in sight!
Keywords: 82208 07.15 Leeds-London King's Cross 1A09 Peterborough station DVT

801203, GR 08.00 London King's Cross-Edinburgh Waverley (1S07, 1L), Peterborough station
Passing under Peterborough's iconic Crescent bridge 801203 works the 1S07 08.00 King's Cross to Edinburgh LNER service. After a clear and bright start to the morning, the cloud is gathering fast.
Keywords: 801203 08.00 London King's Cross-Edinburgh Waverley 1S07 Peterborough station LNER Azuma

387109, GN 08.57 Peterborough Spital Sidings-Peterborough (5P85, 5L), Peterborough station
The Class 387 Electrostars have proved to be a dependable and highly successful design that is in use with a number of operators. Great Northern operates thirty-seven sets on various routes north of London. Having been stabled overnight 387109 leaves Spital sidings to pass through Peterborough station to then return south again into platform one as the 5P85 ECS move.
Keywords: 387109 08.57 Peterborough Spital Sidings-Peterborough 5P85 Peterborough station Great Northern

800106, GR 06.56 Skipton-London King's Cross (1A13, 1L), Peterborough station
Who said that the public has not returned to the railways post-pandemic? Peterborough station's platforms one and two are rammed with leisure customers travelling up to London. Those to the left will board the 06.56 Skipton to King's Cross LNER Azuma service. Meanwhile, those to the right will take a slower Great Northern unit to the capital. This image is commonplace at many locations on the network during what is referred to as off-peak times but perhaps with the decline of commuting the whole off-peak/peak time structure needs a fundamental re-think.
Keywords: 800106 06.56 Skipton-London King's Cross 1A13 Peterborough station LNER AZUMA

66707, 05.21 Masborough-London Gateway (4L98, 6L), Peterborough station
Unfortunately, taken on the wrong side for the sun GBRf's 66707 'Sir Sam Fay' gathers speed through Peterborough station leading the late running 4L98 05,21 Masborough to London Gateway intermodal service. The train had been waiting to the north of the station in the GBRf yard for some time getting underway well over thirty minutes late, time that it made up arriving just six adrift.
Keywords: 66707 05.21 Masborough-London Gateway 4L98 Peterborough station Sir Sam Fay

158889, EM 07.55 Norwich-Liverpool Lime Street (1R64, 2L), Peterborough station
EMR's 'Regional' branded 158889 leaves Peterborough working the 07.55 Norwich to Liverpool Lime Street service. These units, whilst still serviceable and competent are over thirty years old now and I suspect that they are ripe for replacement by more modern units as and when the become available.
Keywords: 158889 07.55 Norwich-Liverpool Lime Street 1R64 Peterborough station EMR

55009 (55013), outward leg of The Coronation Deltic, 07.52 London King's Cross-Scarborough (1Z55, 8L), Peterborough station
Peterborough station was awash with enthusiasts of every age for the arrival and departure of The Coronation Deltic charter that was postponed from 13.05.23 due to the ongoing industrial action. The DPS' 55009 'Alycidon' masquerading as 55013 'The Black Watch' slows to a halt leading the charter running, appropriately, as 1Z55. The reason for the change of identity was not just a bit of fun with the actual reason becoming clear later in the day. After setting off running on both engines from King's Cross on arrival at Peterborough one had been shut down and this remained the case for the rest of the journey. This did not prevent it from cresting Stoke summit at over ninety mph with load ten and a dead Class 47 on the rear. We also maintained ninety-five for several stretches of the line north of Retford.
Keywords: 55009 55013 The Coronation Deltic 07.52 London King's Cross-Scarborough 1Z55, Peterborough station Alycidon The Black Watch

55009 (55013), outward leg of The Coronation Deltic, 07.52 London King's Cross-Scarborough (1Z55, 8L), York station
On arrival at York aboard The Coronation Deltic charter paused for a few moments for passengers choosing to alight and spend the rest of their day exploring the lovely city. This gave me enough time to dodge the throngs and grab a photograph of 55009 'Alycidon' (carrying the number and name 55013 'The Black Watch'). This spot on the former platform three was the classic location for Deltics to be spotted, copped and photographed back in the 1970s, see.... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/25366324804/class-46-class-55-unidentified-down
Keywords: 55009 55013 outward leg of The Coronation Deltic 07.52 London King's Cross-Scarborough 1Z55 York station The Black Watch Alycidon

55009 (55013), outward leg of The Coronation Deltic, 07.52 London King's Cross-Scarborough (1Z55, 8L), Scarborough station
After arriving at Scarborough just eight minutes late 55009 'Alycidon' rests on the blocks whilst passengers and others grab their photographs. The Deltic had been renumbered and named 55013 'The Black Watch' for the occasion in honour of former ECML driver and centenarian Harry Wilson who joined the train at York, hence the headboard. He always stated that 55013 was his favourite Deltic.
Keywords: 55009 55013 outward leg of The Coronation Deltic 07.52 London King's Cross-Scarborough 1Z55 Scarborough station Alycidon The Black watch

Nameplate, 55009 (55013), outward leg of The Coronation Deltic, 07.52 London King's Cross-Scarborough (1Z55, 8L), Scarborough station
A very smart reproduction nameplate attached to the side of 55009 Alycidon' at Scarborough station. The DPS' Deltic has just arrived with The Coronation Deltic charter from King's Cross having had its identity altered in favour 55013 'The Black Watch'. The work that The Deltic Preservation Society have done to 55009 is quite extraordinary and must not be underestimated and as for the cost of repairs following the catastrophic failure whilst on railtour duties in 2019 that's another story!
Keywords: Nameplate 55009 55013 The Coronation Deltic, 07.52 London King's Cross-Scarborough 1Z55 Scarborough station The Back Watch Alycidon

Harry Wilson, 55009 (55013), Scarborough station
Apart from the Detic, the real star of the show at Scarborough station was one-hundred-year-old Harry Wilson. Here he waves his cap to the gathered masses recording the occasion like myself. He was a top link driver first with steam and then with Deltics on the ECML until retirement. Retiring to and still living in York he always stated that 55013 'The Black Watch' was his favoured member of the famous twenty-two. As well as carrying a headboard in his name 55009 'Alycidon' was renumbered 55013 and named 'The Black Watch' for the day leading the outward and return Deltic Coronation charter from King's Cross to Scarborough where this photograph was captured.
Keywords: Harry Wilson 55009 55013 Scarborough station Alycidon The Black Watch

68030, stabled, Scarborough station
In a farcical move, the Nova 3 sets are being withdrawn from service in December for a number of reasons stated by the now Government run TPE franchise their use appears to be running down. This set with 68030 'Black Douglas' sat in Scarborough station from the time we arrived late morning to when we left late afternoon; what a waste of a capital resource! Surely, it's a retrograde step going from locomotive-hauled sets of what are excellent coaches back to units that are approaching their twentieth year in service.
Keywords: 68030 Scarborough station Back Douglas TPE Transpennine Express

Harry Wilson, 55009 (55013), Scarborough station
Former ECML driver and centenarian Harry Wilson sits in a seat that he knew so well for many years! Interstingly, Harry started his railway career not with the LNER but with the LMS at Belle Vue in Wakefield as an office lad. Moving to the footplate he ended up in 1950 at Low Moor in Bradford driving all manner of trains including crack express services such as the 'South Yorkshireman'. On moving to York depot in 1967 he decided this was where he wanted to be and his relationship with the Deltics began. Working anywhere between King's Cross and Newcastle and one of the first drivers to be passed to drive them between Scarborough and Liverpool Harry spent the rest of his working career driving the 'dragons' as he referred to the class before retirement in 1988.
Keywords: Harry Wilson 55009 55013 Scarborough station

Harry Wilson, 55009 (55013), Scarborough station
Former Deltic driver Harry Wilson waves his hat from the cab window of 55009 'Alycidon' with its identity for the day altered to 55013 'The Balck Watch' (Harry's favourite Deltic) after arrival at Scarborough. Such as the interest in this event and surrounding the former driver that even the media covered the event, see.... https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/former-york-train-driver-gets-102325142.html
Keywords: Harry Wilson 55009 55013 Scarborough station The Black Watch Alycidon

170476, NT 13.02 Scarborough-Hull (1J48, RT), Bridlington station
Northern's 170476 leaves Bridlington station working the 13.02 Scarborough to Hull service. Andy and I had travelled on this train from its starting point but it was far from straightforward. With the consultation on the closure of most ticket offices now finished the events of this afternoon's farce are worth sharing.

- Some fifteen minutes before departure Andy and I went to buy a couple of return tickets from Scarborough to Bridlington. We found the queue in the booking hall was several customers deep with one being helped to plan a complicated journey.
- All three ticket machines were out of order.
- We found the guard on the train we intended to travel on sitting in the rear cab and asked to buy a ticket. He said he could not as he did not have a mobile ticket machine. On explaining our problem and asking what we should do he shrugged his shoulders.
- We discussed our predicament with a member of Northern's platform staff, but he also could offer no suggestion as to what to do. What, of course, he could not say was to get on the train and sort the ticket on the journey as this was in breach of Northern's much-publicised policy of passengers not to get on a train without a ticket, quote (from Northern's website), 'ff you board a Northern train without a ticket or ‘Promise to Pay’ notice at a station where ticket purchasing facilities are available, you may be liable to pay a Penalty Fare. From 23 January 2023, the minimum Penalty Fare is changing from £20 to £100, plus the price of the full single fare applicable for your intended journey. However, if the fine is paid within 21 days, this is reduced to £50 plus the price of the single fare applicable'. All very alarming!
- Totally in breach of Northern's warnings about boarding trains with no ticket, we did so just five minutes before departure.
- I spent some ten minutes downloading Northern's app to my mobile 'phone well into the start of the journey.
- By the time the train had reached Seamer I had managed to purchase two return tickets but was unable to load our two-together discount.
- Throughout the journey and on arrival at Bridlington our tickets were not checked with the guard staying in the rear cab throughout the journey (on our leg at least)

Whilst I am a fan of the railways and champion the fine work that they do when situations such as this occur my faith takes a serious dent and I understand why the general public can often be disillusioned with public transport finding it an anathema.
Keywords: 170476 13.02 Scarborough-Hull 1J48 Bridlington station Northern

155347, NT 13.56 Bridlington-York (2R14, 3L), Bridlington station
155347 stands in Bridlington's bay platform. It will work the 13.56 service to York that will travel south along the East Yorkshire coast to Hull where it will reverse to head to York. The developments outside Bridlington station (some of which can be seen in the background of this photograph) have been dramatic since Andy and my previous visit some four years ago, see.... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/26273766404/x158901-16-04-bridlington-hull-1g19
Keywords: 155347 13.56 Bridlington-York 2R14 Bridlington station Northern

Concourse, Bridlington station
Whilst the station in Bridlington opened in 1846 the delightful covered concourse was not constructed until the station was expanded in 1912. A real effort has been made to make the station a welcoming place and shows what can be done when people care about their local resources. Whilst the rooms on either side of the concourse are no longer in railway use local interest groups such as charities and an arts group make full use of them.
Keywords: Concourse Bridlington station

Andy & NER restored tiled map, Bridlington station
One of the original NER glazed tiled maps that was once positioned on Bridlington's platform one is in the process of being recreated inside the concourse of the station. There were thought to be twenty-five of these maps, manufactured by Craven, Dunnill & Co of Ironbridge in Shropshire. This example was destroyed in an act of 'developer vandalism' in 1987 when Bridlington station was being refurbished. After being left in rubbish bags stored at Hull Paragon station and forgotten about for many years until they were rescued and subsequently acquired by the North Eastern Railway Association. The map has now been reinstated with a local craftsman having to manufacture the missing pieces. The original remaining pieces are those attached in relief on the map. Andy inspects the work undertaken by NER Association so far.
Keywords: Andy NER restored tiled map Bridlington station

170454, NT 14.02 Scarborough-Sheffield (1J49, 9L), Bridlington station
170454 pauses at Bridlington station in the afternoon sunshine working Northern's 14.02 Scarborough to Sheffield 1J49 service. Notice the rather ugly but, thankfully, temporary footbridge installed whilst the existing one is being rebuilt with lifts added.
Keywords: 170454 14.02 Scarborough-Sheffield 1J49 Bridlington station Northern

158796, NT 12.57 Sheffield-Scarborough (1W45, RT), Bridlington station
Taken from Bridlington's temporary footbridge 158796 arrives with the 12.57 Sheffield to Scarborough service. Andy and I travelled aboard this very busy (and noisy!) train to its destination. The last time I saw this unit was on the other side of the country in a very different environment and I was also with Andy then, see..... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/30016458800/x158796-12-49-leeds-carlisle-2h88
Keywords: 158796 12.57 Sheffield-Scarborough 1W45 Bridlington station

185151, TP 15.48 Scarborough-York (1U64, 2E), Scarborough station
With Scarborough station undergoing extensive renovation, it felt a little claustrophobic with the contractors having installed an access scaffold structure at a height only just above the roofs of the trains! 175151 will soon work the 1U64 15.48 'shuttle' service to York.
Keywords: 185151, TP 15.48 Scarborough-York 1U64 Scarborough station TPE Trans Pennine Express

55009 (55013), the return leg of The Coronation Deltic, 17.10 Scarborough-London King's Cross (terminated at Finsbury Park) (17.10 Scarborough-Peterborough) (1Z56, 71L), Scarborough station
Taken from the well-known spot on Westwood adjacent to Scarborough station 55009 'Alycidon' is seen switched off at the head of the returning Coronation Deltic charter to King's Cross. Eagle-eyed readers will spot that the Deltic wears the alternative identity of 55013 'The Black Watch'. Some hour or so prior to departure enthusiasts and passengers are beginning to gather again on the platform.
Keywords: 55009 55013 The Coronation Deltic 17.10 Scarborough-London King's Cross 1Z56 Scarborough station

185143, TP & 185120, TP 16.48 Scarborough-York (1U68, 6L), Scarborough station
In the gloom of Scarborough station under the temporary access scaffold structure, a pair of TPE Class 185 Desiros wait their next turn of duty. To the left 185143 will work an unidentified westbound service whilst to the right the 16.48 service to York will be worked by 185120. I really do not understand why through services to Liverpool Lime Street have been withdrawn necessitating a cumbersome and time-consuming change at York.
Keywords: 185143 185120 16.48 Scarborough-York 1U68 Scarborough station Trans Pennine Express TPE

47813, the return leg of The Coronation Deltic, 17.10 Scarborough-London King's Cross (terminated at Finsbury Park) (17.10 Scarborough-Peterborough) (1Z56, 71L) & 68030, stabled, Scarborough station
In the afternoon sunshine at Scarborough station the rear of the returning Coronation Deltic charter is seen with West Coast's 47813 waiting to be dragged back south to King's Cross. To its left 68030 'Black Douglas' is stabled (as it had been for the whole day) with a set of the doomed Nova 3 stock.
Keywords: 47813 The Coronation Deltic 17.10 Scarborough-London King's Cross 1Z56 68030 Scarborough station Black Douglas

68020, TP 16.04 York-Scarborough (1U59, 2E), Scarborough station
At the far end of Scarborough station, the 16.04 York to Scarborough TPE service is seen arriving with 68020 'Reliance' propelling at the rear. Behind the gathering of enthusiasts to the left 55009 'Alycidon' is seen now fired up and ready to lead the returning Coronation deltic charter to King's Cross. Unfortunately, things did not go quite to plan with the charter being terminated at Finsbury Park after a complete failure of the Detic at Retford.

NB this turned out to be my last photograph of one of TPE's excellent Nova3 sets with the whole fleet being taken out of service and off-lease a couple of months later. Put into 'warm storage' some of the best and newest stock on the network now lies idle; what a shambles. (added 03.24)
Keywords: 68020 16.04 York-Scarborough 1U59 Scarborough station Trans Pennine Express TPE Nova 3

Southern portal, Falsgrave tunnel
The bricked-up entrance to Falsgrave tunnel is seen at the far end of Scarorough's extraordinarily long excursion platform. The short but sharply curved tunnel led to Scarborough's Good's station the site of which is now occupied by a Sainsbury's store. Beyond the Good's station, the line continued along the coast offering superb views to the passengers to Whitby via Robin Hood Bay.
Keywords: Southern portal, Falsgrave tunnel

Former Falsgrave signal box (NE, 1908)
The superb North Eastern Railway Falsgrave signal box was built in 1908 and once controlled the signalling in and around Scarborough station. It was famed for its superb gantry that spanned the line from about the point where I am standing that was thankfully saved and now in use at Grosmont on the North Yorkshire Moor's Railway, see..... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/26273780404/x926-10-00-whitby-pickering-1t11 The box shut in November 2010 when the semaphores were removed but the box still stands and is maintained due to its prominent position on the platform and that it is Grade II listed.
Keywords: Former Falsgrave signal box 1908 North Eastern Railway

Harry Wilson, 55009 (55013), the return leg of The Coronation Deltic, 17.10 Scarborough-London King's Cross (terminated at Finsbury Park) (1Z56, 71L), Scarborough station
I hope that former ECML centenarian driver Harry Wilson had a nice few hours in Scarborough whilst waiting for the return trip to York behind 55009 'Alycidon' dressed up for the day as his favourite member of the class 55013 'The Black watch'. He is seen in front of the locomotive at Scarborough station prior to departure.
Keywords: Harry Wilson 55009 55013 the return leg of The Coronation Deltic 17.10 Scarborough-London King's Cross terminated at Finsbury Park1Z56 Scarborough station The Blacl Watch Alycidon

55009 (55013), the return leg of The Coronation Deltic, 17.10 Scarborough-London King's Cross (terminated at Finsbury Park) (1Z56, 71L), Scarborough station
Basking in the late afternoon sunshine at Scarborough station prior to departure the returning Coronation Deltic charter, running as 1Z56, 55009 'Alycidon' looks superb and ready to go. At first, things went well with a slight delay at York and then a longer delay due to signalling issues in the Doncaster area. However, at Retford we were put into the station that was a little odd with no stop planned....things went badly wrong from there, read on......!
Keywords: 55009 55013 The Black Watch AycidonThe Coronation Deltic, 17.10 Scarborough-London King's Cross terminated at Finsbury Park 1Z56 Scarborough station

55009 (55013), the return leg of The Coronation Deltic, 17.10 Scarborough-London King's Cross (terminated at Finsbury Park) (1Z56, 71L), Retford station
Oh. dear, all is quiet at Retford! Due to a major electrical issue with ETH leads everything in the Deltic had shut down without even any internal lights so the crew could see what was going on inside. A decision was made to summon WCR's Thunderbird from Newark so that we could get on our way. In the meantime, using the lights from their mobile 'phones, DPS engineers managed to shorten and fabricate a new connection for the errant cable, reset the breakers and get both engines started thus indicating that the failure was not too serious. However, it was not deemed to be a reliable fix and as the Thunderbird was already on its way it was decided to continue south as rearranged. After about forty-five minutes the Thunderbird arrived and was attached to the front and we were on our way again.
Keywords: 55009 55013 The Coronation Deltic 17.10 Scarborough-London King's Cross terminated at Finsbury Park1Z56 Retford station The Black Watch Alycidon

47848, for the return leg of The Coronation Deltic, 17.10 Scarborough-London King's Cross (terminated at Finsbury Park) (1Z56, 71L), Retford station
WCR's 47848 eases very slowly wrong line in preparation to attach to the front of The Coronation Deltic charter at Retford station. Unfortunately, 55009 'Alycidon' that was leading the train had failed forcing the whole train rescued and drawn south towards London. This meant, after already late running caused by signalling issues, that a very late arrival at King's Cross was now likely. The on-board team from UK Railtours did a very good job at informing and helping passengers with onward transportation. In the end, the train was terminated at Finsbury Park so I hope that everybody got home from there! Andy and I were helped by a very nice couple with whom we shared our four-seat bay who took us in their car from Peterborough station to where we had parked our car which was considerably away from the station. That was very generous of them as it was out of their way and just goes to show how people come together to help each other when things get difficult.
Keywords: 47848 The Coronation Deltic 17.10 Scarborough-London King's Cross terminated at Finsbury Park 1Z56 Retford station Thunderbird

Tickets & charter guide
The tickets and guide for The Coronation Deltic charter that Andy and I travelled on from Peterborough to Scarborough. It was a shame that 55009 'Alycidon' disgraced itself on the return journey at Retford but UK Railtours did a great job informing customers and helping them with onward travel due to the late arrival back into London.
Keywords: Tickets charter guide

Tickets, Scarborough-Bridlington-Scarbrough
I do not propose to go over again the farce that it was to buy a pair of online return tickets from Scarborough to Bridlington. If you wish to be regaled of the whole sorry saga please go to...... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/30044658351/x170454-14-02-scarborough-sheffield
Keywords: Tickets Scarborough-Bridlington-Scarbrough Northern

Winning raffle tickets
An odd photograph to be included on my website but as I was one of ten winners of the draw I thought that it should make the cut! I won a £20 M&S voucher that my wife will make excellent use of!
Keywords: Winning raffle tickets

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