D9009 Alycidon

The Capital Deltic Reprise, 55009 Alycidon, 29th July 2023.
Filmed at Woolmer Green Junction and Welham Green:



Hard to believe I photographed 55016 Gordon Highlander at the same location as the first clip 50 years ago:

 

Every now and then I like to scratch my Deltic itch.............

Pity about the hideous coaching stock though.

"The Capital Deltic Reprise", 29/07/23.

"The Capital Deltic Reprise", 29/07/23.

 

For a railway enthusiast (like wot I am) there's not a much better sight and sound than a Deltic locomotive in good nick and going well.
Thanks to all for the photos and video clips.

 

Shunting before start of tour being blamed for oil usage and exit, a better explanation can be given if required.

" basically because the engines never have chance to rev and get under load properly so they are just almost idling. As the oil pumps are gear driven and therefore linked directly to engine speed this allows oil to settle in the galleries and journals. Also the engine won't get up to temperature properly so when a sudden demand of power is applied this oil will be forced past the piston rings that haven't properly expanded yet and henceforth oil sprayed out the exhaust."

 

I've never studied the Deltic engine deeply, but realise it is a two stroke engine having exhaust ports not exhaust valves. Surely there must some lubrication oil passing out to atmosphere via the ports?

 

When a Deltic arrived at the Kings Cross servicing depot, having come from Edinburgh, it was quite normal to have to add five gallons of engine lubricating oil to each engine.

 

Well

Wonder where it went?

 

Power Unit 451, split pin broke, and allowed a nut/bolt to come, loose, only repair possible meant lying on top of a red hot engine, so wasnt repaired.
Power Unit 408 is de-rated due to number of hours.

 

Depot Report - Saturday 5th August 2023
55009
Busy day carrying out the 8 points on 55009 from Thursdays Audit. 6 completed and 1 to do, OTMR removed by Dave and to be repaired or replaced with spare.
No 2 cab Reverser not switching over and could not take power, Bill took the cover off and dry cleaned before cleaning contactor strips. Steve W did the same at the other end. Both now working correctly. Pete checked the load Regulator in No 2 cubicle, after Bill had cleaned it, again Steve did the other end, Pete checked it over then made a slight adjustment and now sits back to zero.
William checked and closed a slight oil leak and a coolant leak, no leaks shown on running up tests.
Richie spent some time checking around the prop shafts on the cooling modules especially the top shaft on no 2 to the secondary gear box. The loco has a full set of refurbished & balanced shafts with new UJ Joints and seals
The loco was run up and all systems worked as they should, just need the OTMR and all is good to go.

 

@Victor , cover your eyes!!!!

Would You Believe it? HST Powercars Drag Deltic 55009 Alycidon! - YouTube

 

Bad news, The DPS report that power unit 451 in Alycidon has suffered (their words) 'a complete failure' The cause is not known at this time, BUGGA.

 

Its the one on high hours, and was already de-rated according to reports, and the reason behind the cancellation for the NYMR visit.

The second unit, is the same, you wonder if the time is right to look at a rebuild of one, dont know how much the units in RSG have been di-assembled.

Hope is does not mean one of the Tulyar units becomes a donor, especially when they are so close to pressing the button.

 

Full report here: https://www.thedps.co.uk/post/official-press-release-on-55009

 

Further information on the failure of p/u 451:

https://www.thedps.co.uk/post/depot-report-saturday-1st-june-2024

 

Was thinking about this last night, and with the phasing case looking to be the culprit, and with the opposed piston operation, i think the main block may be OK.
Obviously the phasing assembly has an issue, but in normal operation, the pistons dont get near each other anyway, and the crankshaft stops them over reaching to cause piston to piston contact.
However, wish them all of the best with re-activating pu 430, and will donate to the generator repairs.

 

On its way back to Barrow Hill, photo courtesy of Jake Thomas

 

Surprised nobody has mentioned p/u swap at Barrow Hill on Monday for a low hour unit, they held in stock, that has had a refurbishment.

55009 Power Unit Swop

 

And here it is - the power unit ex- my username.

https://www.thedps.co.uk/post/pu-430-is-back

 

Looks like the next for refurb is at mid 2,500 hours as well, which bodes well for the future.