Return ticket after 30 years for loco

Jan 17 2008 by Barry Gibson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

IT was once the most powerful locomotive in the world.

Now the Royal Scots Grey is returning to Huddersfield for the first time in nearly 30 years.

Marsh man Martin Walker, 45, is offering people the opportunity to travel to Edinburgh behind the iconic engine.

He said: “It’s the chance to experience the sights and sounds of the most famous diesel train in the world.”

It was one of 22 Deltic Class 55 locomotives made at Newton-le- Willows near Warrington.

When they started running in 1960 they were the most powerful trains in the world, capable of running at 100mph.

Of the six remaining Deltics the Royal Scots Grey is the only one that can still hit that mark.

Martin said: “There’s one in the National Railway Museum in York and a few which can do 25mph on a private line, but mine is the only one which can still run on the main line.”

Martin, the managing director of Fartown-based diving equipment makers Beaver Sports, bought the locomotive for £71,000 four years ago. He said: “The opportunity came up when its previous owners went into liquidation. The chance to buy something like that doesn’t come along very often.”

After an extensive refit Martin started offering day excursions with the classic locomotive.

He said: “Most of our work is in Scotland and London. It hasn’t run from Huddersfield for nearly 30 years.”

The Royal Scots Grey was last in the town as a regular service on December 27, 1981.

For Martin running the train is a labour of love.

He said: “I was interested in trains when I was a kid, but then I got distracted by beer and women. But now I have three sons who are interested in trains.”

The Royal Scots Grey will run from Huddersfield to Edinburgh and back on Sunday, March 23. Standard tickets cost £45, first-class ones are £69 and a full dining ticket is £119.

For details visit www.royalscotsgrey.com call 07973 756 418 or email railtours@royalscotsgrey.com