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The use of service trains to test locomotives on release from Doncaster Works became almost common practice in the early 1980's and without doubt the best 'double-headers' were those consisting of two 3,300hp Deltic locomotives: Following the Intermediate repair of 55013 (D9013) "THE BLACK WATCH" it was tested on a variety of trains before release back into traffic. One such occasion was on the 29th February 1980 when attached to the 1A35 12:15 York - King's Cross, the train loco being 55008 (D9008) "THE GREEN HOWARDS", 55013 piloted the train to Peterborough where it was detached and sent back to Doncaster Works for removal of test instrumentation. This event was duplicated on the 4th March when 55013 piloted 55018 (D9018) "BALLYMOSS" again on the 1A35 to King's Cross returning once again to Doncaster before release to traffic.
