Awaiting a Decision

Image: © Martin Addison Taken: 25 Mar 1979

Class 55, 55004 "Queen's Own Highlander", stands in Canal Sidings at Doncaster Works amid condemned wagons. Built in 1961, she was one of the 22 Deltics introduced to handle the prestige express trains of the East Coast mainline including The Flying Scotsman. Initially viewed as a 10 year stopgap until electrification was carried out, the Deltics remained the top link until the HST's arrived in the late 1970's. By the time this photo was taken the writing was on the wall for the class as a whole though they would continue in service until the last three survivors were withdrawn in 1982. In this view, 55004 is in limbo - arriving at Doncaster Works for an unclassified repair in April 1978, she was stored 'unservicable' due to a chronic shortage of power units and power unit spares. She was not withdrawn at that stage - which is why she still has her nameplates in situ. Repairs were finally sanctioned in October 1979 and she returned to service for one year before being withdrawn on 28th October 1980. In the distance to the left of this photo is Doncaster Power Station on Crimpsall Island - since demolished and replaced by a prison. St.George's Minster is visible on the right.

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