One of the happiest events in Deltic History occurred on the 2nd December 1979 when 55004 (D9004) "QUEEN'S OWN HIGHLANDER" was released from Doncaster Works having been there since the 28th April 1978 awaiting power units - 55001 (D9001) "ST. PADDY" and 55020 (D9020) "NIMBUS" also waiting power units from early 1978 suffered far different fates and became the first withdrawals in the very same month that 55004 was released.
Following release 55004 travelled light to York TMD for a 'B' exam and was released to traffic on the 5th December when it worked the 1A08 08:05 York-King's Cross service. Later that day, however, one unit was to fail at Newark whilst powering the 1L43 14:05 King's Cross-York, the loco carrying on to York for further attention on one unit.
Here 55004 is seen at York on the 8th December 1979, only six days after release, with the 1V93 09:50 Edinburgh-Plymouth service...

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