On the 8th February 1969 D9012 "CREPELLO" storms through Hadley Wood with the 1A23 10:00 Edinburgh - King's Cross service.

Allocation History

04.09.61
Ran light from Vulcan Foundry, Newton-le-Willows, to Doncaster Works - accepted into BR service and allocated 34G, Finsbury Park TMD. "CREPELLO" nameplates fitted without ceremony.

15.12.61
At 22:00 on the 15th December 1961 D9012 "CREPELLO", whilst working the 3E30 09:55 Class C Newcastle - Holloway ECS train, ran into rear of the 21:50 New England - Kings Cross freight, hauled by V2 60803 at Wood Walton, on the up slow line, between Peterborough and Huntingdon. Wreckage blocked the up fast and this was hit by the 10:05 Aberdeen - King's Cross meat train, led by V2 60977, which was then hit by the down 18:10 King's Cross - Newcastle fitted freight led by A3 60078 "NIGHT HAWK". Of all the locomotives 60977 came of the worst, the Deltic suffering only minor body & internal damage. The ECS included "The Flying Scotsman" coaches, which being marshalled at the end of the train were undamaged. 60977 was shipped to Darlington works for repair, D9012 went to Doncaster and was released during January 1962.

Further information regarding D9012's collision at Connington:

The ECML was closed from the night of 15th until 17th December, with trains diverted via the GN/GE Joint line to March and then via Cambridge. However, in the early hours of 17th, two parcels trains were further diverted from March to Cambridge via St. Ives, rather than Ely, one of which was hauled by D9001. The subsequent inquiry into the collision blamed the mix of "permissive" block working on the slow lines (where more than one train is allowed to enter the section, under the control of the signalman, and ease up on the rear of the train in front) and "absolute" block on the fast lines. The driver of D9012 had been stopped at Connington box, in fog, and allowed to proceed onto the slow lines under "permissive" block - but he mistakenly thought that he was running under "absolute" block and continued at speed, catching up and colliding with the freight train ahead.

18.06.62
The inaugural diesel hauled 1A12 09:30 King's Cross - Edinburgh, "The Elizabethan" departed King's Cross on Monday 18th June 1962 behind an immaculate D9012 "CREPELLO". Hitherto "The Elizabethan" had been the pinnacle of non-stop running between King's Cross and Edinburgh behind Pacific locomotives with corridor tenders giving access between footplate and stock. The new service, however, had a Newcastle stop to allow crew changes - London crews (it was said) were prepared to travel in the cab for the duration of the 393 miles, whether on duty or off, but Haymarket men were not. The 1962 winter timetable, which came into force from 10th September, saw the withdrawal of "The Elizabethan" service, the 1A12 becoming a King's Cross - Newcastle service only.
29.06.62
1A12 09:30 King's Cross - Edinburgh, "The Elizabethan" to Newcastle (engine failure - A4 Pacific forward).
31.07.62
1A65 20:05 Edinburgh - King's Cross (assisted by B1 61208).

12-14.02.63
1N03 07:45 King's Cross - Leeds, "The West Riding" and 1E10 12:17 Harrogate - King's Cross, from Leeds (dynamometer car in formation - boiler tests).
11.04.63
1E31 17:07 Hull - King's Cross, from Doncaster to Grantham (engine failure) A3 Pacific 60050 "PERSIMMON" forward.

10.08.65
Released from Doncaster Works after fitting of cast bogies (bogies No.1 1033 replaced by 9000-13 & No.2 1034 replaced by 9000-14).

21.03.66
1st EE maintenance contract expires - mileage recorded at 715,415.
04.04.66
On Monday 4th April 1966 D9012 was the chosen locomotive to haul the 1Z10 09:56 King's Cross - Doncaster and return special demonstration train. A copy of the documentation for the day is as follows (as can be seen the outward train was booked to run in front of the days 1A16 10:00 King's Cross - Edinburgh "The Flying Scotsman" and the retimed 1B14 14:01 Doncaster - King's Cross on the return):

0902 - Image: John Smith.

01.12.66
4O92 (up cement empties - noted Grantham).

02.03.67
Released from Doncaster Works, after General repair, with full yellow ends applied.

25.02.68
Transferred to 64B Haymarket (ex 34G Finsbury Park) - until completion of dual braking to the fleet.
20.03.68
Released from Doncaster Works, after General repair, in blue livery and equipped with dual braking.
16.06.68
Officially transferred to 34G Finsbury Park (ex 64B Haymarket) after completion of dual braking to the fleet (transfer moves actually occurred early May 1968 to coincide with the new timetable).

20.01.70-02.08.70
Carrying 'D' prefix on 20/01 but reported dropped by 02/08 (most likely date for this would be after Light repair dated 30/01-07/02).
04.05.70
With the new 1970 timetable, from the 4th May, came improved line speeds and accelerated times for services on the ECML. The first King's Cross departure of the day was the 1N06 07:45 for Newcastle hauled by 9012 "CREPELLO". Passengers aboard were given souvenir cards depicting the timings and those in the dining car were treated to a glass of champagne. On arrival at Newcastle the train's crew were presented with travelling alarm clocks and the driver received an extra bonus of a large cigar! The 1A07 07:35 departure from Newcastle, behind 9014 "THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON'S REGIMENT", saw similar treatment and like the 1N08 saw destination arrivals of one minute early.
17.05.70
1Z20 Leeds - Diss, "The East Anglian" RCTS railtour (via Chesterfield, Nottingham, Peterborough & March) and 1Z20 16:28 Diss - Leeds return (via Stowmarket, Peterborough & Loughborough).

22.01.71
Released from Doncaster Works, after Intermediate repair, with ETH equipment fitted.

02.02.74
Locomotive officially renumbered 55012 w/e 02/02 (carried by 30/01).

20.12.76
To Doncaster Works for final Intermediate repair (off 27.04.77).

08.06.77
1S12 07:45 King's Cross - Edinburgh, "The Silver Jubilee" (inaugural service - with headboard).
10-12.06.77
York Station - on public display.
24.09.77
1F55 07:45 King’s Cross - Edinburgh, "The Deltic Pictorial" RPPR railtour (1S12 stock & headboard) and 1F55 16:45 Edinburgh - King’s Cross return.
17.10.77
During the week commencing 17th October 1977 unofficial industrial action led to the removal of Deltics from all ECML workings. Action was taken by maintenance staff angry at the proposed closure of Finsbury Park Depot with the introduction of the new HST fleet, which was to be maintained at the new Bounds Green Depot. Maintenance staff 'blacked' the Deltic fleet thus all engines remained 'laid-up' at various installations until the dispute was settled on October 21st. A list of how the dispute affected the class is as follows:

 

Locomotive:	Notes:
55001	Haymarket TMD 13/10 - 23/10. Worked 1E35 20:20 Edin - KX 23/10.
55002	Finsbury Park TMD 14/10 - 23/10. Worked 1N29 19:00 KX - N'lce 23/10.
55003	Haymarket TMD 14/10 - 23/10. Worked 1E25 12:15 Aber - KX from Edin 23/10.
55004	Finsbury Park TMD 13/10 - 23/10. Worked 1S21 11:00 KX - Edin 24/10.
55005	Doncaster Works 'Intermediate' 31/03 - 21/10. Worked 1E48 21:15 Aber - KX from Doncaster 26/10.
55006	Finsbury Park TMD 11/10 - 24/10. Worked 1L22 15:55 KX - Leeds 24/10.
55007	York TMD 10/10 - 25/10. Worked 1A06 08:05 YK - KX 25/10.
55008	Gateshead TMD 13/10 - 24/10. Worked 1A40 20:30 N'cle - KX 24/10.
55009	York TMD 17/10 - 23/10. Worked 0D01 12:00 YK - Doncaster 23/10.
55010	Haymarket TMD 13/10 - 24/10. Worked 1E20 15:00 Edin - KX 24/10.
55011	Gateshead TMD 14/10 - 24/10. Worked 1A07 07:25 N'cle - KX 24/10.
55012	York TMD 14/10 - 24/10. Worked 1A06 08:05 YK - KX 24/10.
55013	Haymarket TMD 15/10 - 23/10. Worked 1E39 22:30 Edin - KX 23/10.
55014	Gateshead TMD 14/10 - 25/10. Worked 1A15 09:20 N'cle - KX 25/10.
55015	Finsbury Park TMD 08/10 - 25/10. Worked 1N00 01:00 KX - N'cle 26/10.
55016	Haymarket TMD 15/10 - 19/10. Sent to Doncaster Works 19/10 for 'Light repair' behind 40063.
55017	Doncaster Works 'Intermediate' 03/10 - 19.01.78.
55018	Doncaster Works 'Intermediate' 30/06 - 10/12.
55019	Finsbury Park TMD 14/10 - 23/10. Worked 1D00 08:25 KX - Cleethorpes 24/10.
55020	Holbeck TMD 10/10 - 23/10. Worked 1A47 00:43 Leeds - KX 24/10.
55021	Gateshead TMD 14-10 - 24-10. Worked 1S28 07:00 N'cle - Edin 24/10.
55022	Finsbury Park TMD 14/10 - 23/10. Worked 1S43 18:00 KX - Edin 23/10.

Finsbury Park - 6; Gateshead - 4; Haymarket - 5; Doncaster Works - 3; York - 3; Holbeck - 1; Locomotives moving in this period - 1 (55016, Haymarket to works).

08.05.78
On Monday 8th May 1978 a new summer timetable began on the British Rail network and with it came a new HST-125 (High Speed Train) involvement on the East Coast Main Line (ECML). Thus displacing the Deltic locomotives from the 'crack' express duties which they had worked since introduction in 1961.

On this date 55012 (D9012) "CREPELLO" worked the inaugural 1D04 16:42 King's Cross - Hull, "The Hull Executive", complete with black headboard. The 'Executive' was a replacement for the former "The Hull Pullman" and was more usually Deltic hauled on the up 1A04 06:50 Hull - King's Cross. From April 1979, however and yet more Deltic displacement by HST's, the down service also saw regular Deltic haulage and was re-timed in May of that year (1D04 17:05 King's Cross - Hull) becoming booked Deltic traction with an average speed of 91.3 mph, the fastest diesel hauled service in the country.
20.05.78
1Zxx 08:40 King's Cross - Leeds, "East Coast Pullman Salute" (farewell to Pullman services on ECML) and 1Zxx St. Pancras - Edinburgh, "The Thames-Forth Express" from Leeds (via S&C).
08.10.78
Barrow Hill TMD - open day exhibit.
13.12.78
1D01 08:25 King's Cross - Cleethorpes and 1A21 13:18 Cleethorpes - King's Cross.

29.09.79
1M62 08:49 York - Liverpool and 1E99 13:05 Liverpool - York.
15.10.79
White window surrounds applied at Finsbury Park - the last to be so treated.

The full list for white window application (in order) is as follows:

09.12.79
1M01 York - Tinsley and 1Z79 Marylebone - Canonbury Jn, "The Yorkshire Terrier" from Tinsley (Worcester Society railtour).

30.01.80
1A23 08:50 Edinburgh - Aberdeen and 1G65 12:40 Aberdeen - Edinburgh.
02.02.80
0Z25 Edinburgh - Carstairs and 1Z25 Folkestone - Edinburgh, from Carstairs (troop train).
19.05.80
0E00 20:30 Haymarket - Healey Mills (towing 40081).

03.03.81
1O50 17:00 Edinburgh - Glasgow Queen St (vice 47/7) and 1O53 18:00 Glasgow Queen St. - Edinburgh.
13.05.81
1E39 22:30 Edinburgh - King's Cross (final train).
18.05.81
Locomotive withdrawn (officially 31/05).
15.06.81
To Doncaster Works for disposal - cut-up by 18.09.81

16.12.82
On December 16th 1982 the auctioneers Christies held an unusual sale at their showroom at Old Brompton Road, London. Included in the sale were five Deltic nameplates and one Deltic locomotive! 55015 went under the hammer as well as plates from 55009 "ALYCIDON", 55012 "CREPELLO", 55013 "THE BLACK WATCH", 55015 "TULYAR" and 55019 "ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIER". Below is a table of events at the sale: