Deltic diagrams - late 1979

[Big Jumby 74]

As a frequent flyer (!) of the 18.14 York up to ''The Cross' during 1979, which always produced a Deltic, in my experience, there were a couple of other UP services in those times, which I now wonder if they were diagrammed Deltic turns as well? These were the 15.50 York to KX, and the 16.30 Hull to KX. Can't remember if these were SX only or Mon-Sat..?

TIA

 

[hexagon789]

As a frequent flyer (!) of the 18.14 York up to ''The Cross' during 1979, which always produced a Deltic, in my experience, there were a couple of other UP services in those times, which I now wonder if they were diagrammed Deltic turns as well? These were the 15.50 York to KX, and the 16.30 Hull to KX. Can't remember if these were SX only or Mon-Sat..?

TIA

The excellent Chronicles of Napier has diagrams for the Deltics, this is for May '79-May '80:

1979-1980 Diagrams

Now down-graded to day-time semi-fast services between King's Cross to York and Hull, although still retaining their hold on night-time Anglo-Scottish sleeping services, the Deltics would be concentrated to two English depots of Finsbury Park and York from the 13th April 1979. The Haymarket and Gateshead contingent moving to York for the onset of the new timetable.

From the start of the 1979 timetable and until the 20th August overnight trains ran via Carlisle, due to the collapse of Penmanshiel tunnel, daytime services terminated at Berwick from King's Cross and Dunbar form Edinburgh, with a connecting bus service operating between Berwick and Dunbar. One exception, the 1S12 05:50 King's Cross - Aberdeen ran via Carlisle and operated only as far as Edinburgh until normal service was resumed. The loco operating on the Edinburgh - Dunbar 'shuttles' during the day and often returning south via the 1E26 18:25 Edinburgh - York (via Carlisle).

Locomotives finding themselves in Scotland, after arrival with over-night sleeper services, would operate out and back trains between Edinburgh and Aberdeen during the day, returning on south-bound sleepers at night or enjoy a days rest at Haymarket before their return. From the summer timetable locomotives spare at York also found themselves on the out and back turns to Liverpool.​

​

WTT 79-80 Diagrams

 

[CW2]

The 1630 Hull - Kings Cross was a pretty solid Deltic diagram. I remember it specifically because if the 1630 Kings Cross to Peterborough produced a class 40 you could do that through to Peterborough for the Deltic back on the 1630 ex Hull. A nice out-and-back move with a lot of noise and high mileage. I even invested in a monthly season ticket from March to Kings Cross (same price as from Peterborough but also valid into Liverpool Street) on that basis.

 

[Big Jumby 74]

I wasn't a 'basher' as such of the 18.14, it was just my (quite) frequent ride from Retford up to the Smoke in those days.

The excellent Chronicles of Napier has diagrams for the Deltics, this is for May '79-May '80:

Many thanks my friend, that does indeed answer my question. Couldn't see anything specific about actual observations (loco/train/date etc). I have a few such obbo's if they (the site owners that is, are still interested?), but to be honest, most runs I didn't make a note of the loco, but just sat back and enjoyed the journey.
My only ever foray in to the world of Main Line Deltic running, post BR service, was the (now) well documented run from Waverley to (err, Berwick, was it). Don't get me wrong, I do not criticise anyone/anything at all. The run North with a Brush 4 (IIRC?) was delayed for reasons I can not now remember, so a quick turn round was needed at Waverley. Some of us may have headed up the hill to a certain watering hole for a swift one, but may be that was another occasion?
Back on board, and the departure from Waverley (IMHO) was something else, as in acceleration etc, will never forget it, but by then many, myself included were already standing in the RMB/RB (whichever) with a pint on the go raising our glasses. The run was brilliant until a few miles short of the border, and despite the ale intake, many became aware we had been coasting for a few too many miles, and a look out the window to see flames spouting forth out the loco, had a very sobering moment on most of us!

 

[hexagon789]

Couldn't see anything specific about actual observations (loco/train/date etc). I have a few such obbo's if they (the site owners that is, are still interested?), but to be honest, most runs I didn't make a note of the loco, but just sat back and enjoyed the journey.

If you look up a loco, there should be detailed sighting info year by year:

For example 1979:

1979

Of course, if it's new sightings, I'm sure they'd be delighted to have the gen.

 

[Harvester]

in my experience, there were a couple of other UP services in those times, which I now wonder if they were diagrammed Deltic turns as well? These were the 15.50 York to KX, and the 16.30 Hull to KX.

The 15:50 York-Kings Cross stopper was a regular Deltic turn until the end! On their last day in normal service, Thursday 31st December 1981, I travelled behind 55015 on this train between York and Grantham. Unfortunately it was not a fast run due to chaos caused by a broken rail at Barkston resulting in single line working. Arrived at Grantham over two hours late, and eventually home much later than planned for a New Years Eve.

 

[Clarence Yard]

That was the last normal Deltic arrival at KX. If No 2 hadn’t have been stopped the day before, it would have been on the train.

I was on the platform at KX chatting to Murray Brown who was on No 17 for the last departure and he confirmed that No 15 was due to come south on the 1550 as the engine for the 2nd.

I rang it through to the supervisors office at FP, who had already heard the rumours - they were delighted and the rest is history.

I should point out that I was the former shopping and availability man at KX between 1978-80 and my opposite number at RM&EE York in the shopping bureau was Murray Brown. Us meeting on the 31st for the last normal Deltic departure was a very emotional experience for both of us.

 

[Harvester]

Apparently 55017 nearly made it back to Kings Cross on 31st after leaving on the 16:03 departure! The train was terminated at Grantham due to the blockage at Barkston, and 55017 returned south with the stock running in the path of the delayed 15:50 ex York, but failed south of Peterborough.

 

[Big Jumby 74]

Thank you all for comments and memories. Last service run I had with No 2 was on the 08.00 out of The Cross in December '78, but on approach to Peterborough we were sent across to the Eastern side of the station, which rang alarm bells - and that was that. Loco off and forward with 47429. Most of 1981, I was elsewhere so missed out on the last rites, but do remember seeing the packed platforms at KX on the TV.

 

[Strathclyder]

Thank you all for comments and memories. Last service run I had with No 2 was on the 08.00 out of The Cross in December '78, but on approach to Peterborough we were sent across to the Eastern side of the station, which rang alarm bells - and that was that. Loco off and forward with 47429. Most of 1981, I was elsewhere so missed out on the last rites, but do remember seeing the packed platforms at KX on the TV.

What sticks out in my mind more than anything else about the farewell proceedings on 2nd January 1982, was the lad kissing and placing his head and both hands on Royal Scot Grey's nameplate at King's Cross. To me at least and I may be in the minority here, that symbolized the impact the Deltics had in their comparatively short careers (to the preceding Gresley Pacifics and the succeeding HSTs).

 

[greyman42]

The 15:50 York-Kings Cross stopper was a regular Deltic turn until the end!

Was this the service that used to run via Leeds?

 

[Harvester]

Was this the service that used to run via Leeds?

No, York-Selby-Doncaster.

 

[greyman42]

No, York-Selby-Doncaster.

Does anyone remember when the York to Kings Cross via Leeds stopped running? It departed York, usually platform 15 around 1550, and was usually a Deltic.

 

[Big Jumby 74]

Does anyone remember when the York to Kings Cross via Leeds stopped running?

Could it have been a STP diversion during the Selby diversion works?

 

[Magdalia]

Does anyone remember when the York to Kings Cross via Leeds stopped running? It departed York, usually platform 15 around 1550, and was usually a Deltic.

As usual, Napier Chronicles is your friend on Deltic matters.

1A29 1552 York-Kings Cross via Leeds ran in the 1976 and 1977 timetables. It also ran in 1975 starting from Newcastle at 1435.

Of these years, Napier Chronicles only has the Deltic loco diagrams for 1977, and I can't see 1A29 included. A quick check of Rail Gen Archive shows occasional Deltics but the usual traction was a class 47.

 

[greyman42]

As usual, Napier Chronicles is your friend on Deltic matters.

1A29 1552 York-Kings Cross via Leeds ran in the 1976 and 1977 timetables. It also ran in 1975 starting from Newcastle at 1435.

Of these years, Napier Chronicles only has the Deltic loco diagrams for 1977, and I can't see 1A29 included. A quick check of Rail Gen Archive shows occasional Deltics but the usual traction was a class 47.

Thanks for that. I probably just remember the occasions when it was a Deltic as these are more likely to stick in your memory.

 

[Big Jumby 74]

A quick check of Rail Gen Archive shows occasional Deltics but the usual traction was a class 47

Other than Railgen, and class specific sites (Napier-C) do you know if there are any other ways of finding out (individual) loco + trains worked back in the day? I don't underestimate any such works are both a minefield and mountains to climb, who's summits will never be reached, but just wondered if I have missed anything...?