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The remains of 55001 (D9001) "ST. PADDY" at the rear of Doncaster Works on the 12th April 1980 (one nose section from 55020 is just visible behind).
When David sent me this photograph it re-prompted the question concerning the new nose cone fitted to 55017 (D9017) "THE DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY" in 1980, because the missing section from the front nose would look to fit the damage caused to 55017...
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55017 was involved in a collision at Finsbury Park on the 16th January 1980 and sent to Doncaster Works for repairs. The locomotive is seen above at Doncaster on Sunday 17th February 1980. Early reports of repairs suggested that a nose cone from 55020 was fitted to No.17 - this theory was backed up by the fact only one nose cone from 55020 was visible at the rear of Doncaster after the loco was dismantled. Later however it was stated that a new nose was fabricated and only parts of 55001 were used (tail lights, grab rails etc)...
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...Repair continue inside the Crimpsalls erecting shops at Doncaster on the 26th March 1980.
Such is the compelling question regarding 55001 and 55017 therefore that I contacted Bob Peach, once employee at Doncaster Works. Bob writes:
"The photograph shows a partially cut up nose end. The repairs to the No.1 nose of 55017 entailed the removal of the outer skin roughly comprising the yellow nose end from the bottom of the route indicator downwards, and the removal and renewal of the damaged channeling used to support the outer skin. The vertical sheet metal work was new & not second-hand. What was reused were the two tail lights and the lower grab rails just below & to the outside of the lights from either 55001 or 55020. As the support framing inside the nose was damaged, and had to be renewed, the powers that be probably though it would be quicker to make up new sheeting rather than reuse one of the old nose fronts which they would have had to grind/chisel off from their existing framing."
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55017 (D9017) "THE DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY" restarts an engine prior to working the 1L45 18:05 King's Cross - York service on the 1st August 1981. The new nose is in evidence here as the central footrest is missing.
I hope this finally puts to rest all the theories!!!
