The Auld Reekie’ – 3rd March 2019

Class A1 60163 ‘Tornado’ on arrival at Edinburgh Waverley station with ‘The Auld Reekie’ railtour from Doncaster 3rd March 2019.

Following a fantastic day out on the A1 Trust’s ‘The Talisman’ railtour in September 2018, an opportunity arose for a day out from Doncaster to Edinburgh with some Deltic haulage on the way back.

 4 first class dining seats were duly purchased and we drove to Doncaster to see 60163 Tornado pull in with our designated coach 3 back from the front. Departure was 10 minutes late at 08.40hrs.

Service was excellent as we headed to York via Wakefield and Leeds. A water stop in York and then we headed up the ECML enjoying a cooked breakfast flavoured by the odd bit of soot blowing in from the window. Lunch was served at 1pm as we crossed the Royal Border Bridge with further stop for water at Berwick upon Tweed. Edinburgh was reached at 14.56hrs – just a minute behind schedule – very impressive!

We headed out into Edinburgh during a break of just over two hours for a few beers, and returned to the station to hear the station reverberating to the sound of Napier engines.

Class 55 Deltic 50009 ‘Alycidon’ waiting to leave Edinburgh Waverley station with the return ‘The Auld Reekie’ railtour to Doncaster 3rd March 2019

55009 Alycidon looked resplendent in BR Blue livery, and there was time to have a look round the cab like some 10-year-old stary eyed child. The set of coaches hadn’t been turned whilst been serviced so we sulked back to the last but one coach for the journey home (Tornado’s support coach had been removed). 

Departure was a minute early and as we blasted through the suburbs, I remember commenting that we had got the timings spot on as the dark storm clouds gathered in the sky and it looked like rain. As I said that I received a Twitter alert from LNER saying that there may be delays just south of Edinburgh due to ‘overhead line damage’.

LNER Social Media - warning of travel disruption

As we reached Drem on the fast line, we slowed and then came to a halt at a red signal. Within 10 minutes an LNER Class 91 service crept past us on the slow line and also stopped. A Cross Country service headed north at a reduced speed and the rain started.

We sat for about an hour whilst the evening meal was served which was quite handy to be fair – the LNER service moved off and another service came past us on the slow line which was the first indication all was not right. Then we heard Alycidon accelerating in the distance and a couple of jolts – it was as if the driver was trying in reverse and then trying to move forward again. The stewards were great and tried to keep us informed – but they were unsure of the issue. Eventually we managed to get moving - but word on the street said we were going to Berwick where a further assessment would be made.

We reached Berwick at about 19.30hrs where Alycidon was failed due to a ‘high voltage power surge’. I did consider having a wander up to the front to see what was going on – but we were in the middle of a heavy storm and it was throwing it down and the beer was still flowing. The ‘Thunderbird’ engine from Newcastle had been requested, and we sat for 2 hours – chatting away – enjoying our food and beer. 

Passengers for York, Leeds and Wakefield were offered the opportunity of jumping on the next southbound Cross-Country service – but we were quite settled! 

Class 67 67004 duly arrived, coupled up, and we set off non-stop to Doncaster omitting the Leeds option in an effort to gain some time back - arriving at Doncaster just after midnight – 2 hours later than scheduled.

Class 67 67004 stands at Doncaster station in the early hours of 4th March 2019 with failed Class 55 Deltic 55009 ‘Alycidon’ in tow. The Deltic had expired at Berwick upon Tweed with electrical problems.

The Deltic Preservation Society released the following statement on 8th April 2019;
"The failure of DPS-owned Class 55 D9009 Alycidon on the southbound ‘Auld Reekie’ rail tour from Edinburgh, which saw the locomotive failed at Berwick, has turned out to be more serious than originally thought. Initially, two traction motors were isolated at Dunbar following a loud ‘bang’ but difficulty in obtaining power saw the driver call it a day at Berwick.

Subsequent investigations have revealed a large power surge has damaged all 6 traction motors and one of the two main generators has also been affected. The damage is not consistent with what could be termed a ‘normal’ flashover where current arcs from one brush box too the next. There is a burn mark on the roof of D9009 and also on the inside of the engine room roof.

It is highly probable that the six traction motors will need to be professionally repaired, necessitating lifting the locomotive to gain access to the bogies. It is not known if the affected main generator will require similar attention Should this be necessary, the complete power unit will need lifting out and the generator removed."

It is interesting to note the ‘scorch marks’ on the external and internal roof – consistent in my view – of the locomotive either being struck by lightning or coming into contact with the OHL equipment and 25Kv – just my view.

Either way it was a good day out, good food and good company. The stewards were so apologetic, and we all received a discount voucher from the operator – but these things happen and can’t be avoided some times.