Working on one power unit only 55004 (D9004) "QUEEN'S OWN HIGHLANDER" blasts out of Leeds with the 1E98 12:05 Liverpool - York service on the 28th October 1981. This was 55004's final day in service. Following 1E98 55004 was dispatched once more to Liverpool on the 1M76 15:50 from York, however, high water temperature at Manchester meant that the loco was un-fit to return under its own power and it remained in Liverpool until the next day when 31405 hauled it home to York. The decision to withdraw was made and from York it was sent to Stratford to give up its major components to the rest of the fleet - its operable power unit being donated to 55008.

28/10/81 - 1M53 07:49 York - Liverpool. Deltic Deadline No.90: Page 15. 28/10/81 - 1M53 07:49 York - Liverpool. In Memory of the Deltics:  55004 section. 28/10/81 - 1E98 12:05 Liverpool - York. Deltic Deadline No.24: Page 14. 28/10/81 - 1M76 15:50 York - Liverpool (high water temp at Manchester). Decision to withdraw locomotive and donate 'good' unit to 55008 undertaken. Locomotive to return DIT behind 55011 on 1E89 20:40 Liv - YK, (driver refused to have loco in train consist and so 55004 remained at Liverpool overnight). Last Days of the Deltics: Page 13.

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