Class 55 Deltic 55019 'Royal Highland Fusilier" at The Ecclesbourne Valley Railway

Class 55 Deltic 55019 ‘Royal Highland Fusilier” at The Ecclesbourne Valley Railway

The Derbyshire heritage railway is currently host to the well-loved Deltic which operated with British Rail from the 1960s to the middle of the 1980s.

‘Royal Highland Fusilier” has been beautifully restored and arrived recently at Wirksworth Station and hauled its first passenger services during the Ecclesbourne Valley Railways annual three day Spring Diesel Gala which took place from the 22nd to the 24th of April. The gala was a huge success and marked the busiest event the railway has operated (excluding Christmas trains) since it began running its full-length line back in 2011.

55019’s Move from Quorn in Leicestershire to Ecclesbourne Valley Railway was recorded by a film crew with the footage set to be used as part of a television documentary in the future.

Visitors to the heritage railway will be able to enjoy a ride behind this legendary locomotive with dates set for operation through to the early part of July.

Ecclesbourne Valley Railways commercial director, Tom Tait commented:

“The introduction of the Deltics was a step-change in locomotive performance on the East Coast Main Line and once the entire fleet was delivered into service in 1962, the journey time from London to Edinburgh was cut by one hour. This is the first time that such an iconic locomotive will run on the Wirksworth branch line and provides an exciting opportunity for visitors to enjoy the sights and sounds of one of the most powerful diesel locomotives in the world. I am grateful to everyone involved in bringing Deltic 55019 ‘Royal Highland Fusilier’ to the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway.”