12.04.02

On Saturday 6th April 2002, Deltic locomotive number 9016 "Gordon Highlander" made its return to main line passenger operation.

The locomotive was used to haul a charter train from Crewe to York, was then serviced at the National Railway Museum, then hauled the charter train from Scarborough back to Crewe.

9016 was overhauled for main line operation in 1999 at the Brush Traction works in Loughborough. A subsequent engine failure led to the delay in using the locomotive. During this period, the locomotive passed into the ownership of Porterbrook Leasing Company Limited ("Porterbrook").

Porterbrook's Commercial Director, Keith Howard said:

"Our support of the operation of this locomotive is intended to promote the Porterbrook name amongst the wider railway community, and in particular the operational railway staff without whom the industry could not function. Porterbrook has a track record of major investment both in its current fleets and in new trains. Porterbrook has made an investment in the Deltic in order to bring interest and enjoyment to the people who make the railway function, and also to the many enthusiasts who have awaited the return of 9016 to the main line with eager anticipation".

The locomotive will be based at the L&NWR Crewe facility in the immediate future, and will be available for future use on charter trains through a marketing agreement.

- Ends -

Contacts:

Simon Lomax
Porterbrook Leasing Company Limited (Technical enquiries)
Tel: 01332 262728

Alex Wood
Porterbrook Leasing Company Limited (Commercial enquiries)
Tel: 01332 262381

Note to Editors:
Porterbrook Leasing Company Limited ("Porterbrook") is a leading player in the UK rail leasing market. Porterbrook has a rolling stock fleet of over 5,500 vehicles on lease or on order, which includes about 4,000 passenger vehicles. These are supplied under operating leases to 18 of the 25 train operating companies (TOCs) within the UK. The company also provides ongoing train and tram maintenance services. Porterbrook has been highly successful in winning new train orders since privatisation, with over £1.3 billion in new business won - investing in over 1,400 new passenger vehicles and over 1,100 new freight locomotives and wagons, and in the refurbishment of much of its in-fleet equipment. In April 2000 the Porterbrook group of companies was acquired by a subsidiary of Abbey National Treasury Services plc, part of the Abbey National Group.

About the Deltics
The Deltics represent the pinnacle of British railway engineering of the 1950s and early 1960s. Built by the English Electric company at their Vulcan Foundry works, 9016 was delivered to the Scottish Region of British Railways in October 1961. Twenty two Deltics were built, and were used to haul crack express trains on the East Coast Main Line from London's Kings Cross station to North East England and Scotland. The locomotives have two Napier Deltic engines fitted. These engines were originally developed for fast warship use, and offered unparalleled power from a low weight. The Deltics were withdrawn from British Rail service in 1982 and a number of them, including 9016, were purchased for preservation.

9016 received a general overhaul at Brush, Loughborough. However a fire in the No.1 end engine silencer curtailed its first outing on the main line in December 1999. It appears that the extinguishing agent used on the fire contained an additive which is highly corrosive to aluminium, and this attacked the many aluminium parts in No.1 engine, leading to it seizing.
Due to pressure on space at Brush, the locomotive was towed to the EWS depot at Crewe, where it was stored until recently. Whilst at Crewe, the damaged engine was removed and taken for overhaul by MAN B&W Diesels at Colchester.

Significant difficulties were encountered with locating spare components to replace those damaged, but these were eventually overcome. The opportunity was also taken to overhaul the associated generator assembly whilst the engine was under repair.

The engine was refitted in the locomotive in early 2002. The subsequent extensive testing programme revealed a further concern regarding a silencer and therefore, to avoid any risk of a repetition of the incident of 1999, the locomotive was sent to Bombardier's Crewe Locomotive Works for the silencer issue to be finally resolved.

Following the work undertaken by Bombardier, the locomotive carried out a light engine test run to Llandudno, and a loaded test run to Carnforth and Rugby. The minor issues arising from these runs were rectified, allowing the use of the locomotive on the Napier Navigator tour on 6 April 2002.