On Saturday 17th November 1979 55003 (D9003) "MELD" failed with the 1S12 05:50 King’s Cross - Aberdeen service at Newcastle. When 55016 (D9016) "GORDON HIGHLANDER" arrived to aid the stricken Deltic the assembled masses thought, and hoped, the train would continue forward with both Deltics at the helm. Unfortunately for those present 55016 first removed 55003 from the stock before dropping back onto the service to take it forward to Edinburgh alone.