When were the Deltics withdrawn from service?
The first two Deltics to be withdrawn were 55001 ‘St Paddy’ and 55020 ‘Nimbus’ on January 5th 1980, although neither of these locos had worked since March 1978. Both were cut up by the end of the month. The next casualty was 55003 ‘Meld’ which was withdrawn on 30th December 1980 at York followed by 55005 and 55006 in February 1981 at York. 55012 Crepello was next being withdrawn at FP on May 18th followed by 55018 Ballymoss at York on October 18th. The final run down of the class started in earnest in November 1981 when 55004 and 55011 were withdrawn at Stratford, and 55014 at York. By the end of December all remaining Deltics were withdrawn with the exception of the four railtour locos. These were 55002/9/15/22 which survived until January 2nd 1982 for the farewell railtour.
