Earlier this week, we told you the news that GB RailFreight is supporting the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway‘s 50th Anniversary Gala. Today, we bring you the news that Deltic 55019 ‘Royal Highland Fusilier’ is visiting for the diesel gala event.

No 55019 “Royal Highland Fusilier” is a Class 55 Diesel, more popularly known as a ‘Deltic’. 55019 entered service in December 1961 for British Railways.

55019 was based at Edinburgh’s Haymarket depot, where it spent most of its working life. The withdrawal came on December 31st, 1981, after 20 years of BR service.

Shortly after withdrawal, 55019 was brought by The Deltic Preservation Society (DPS) and moved to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. After undergoing some major work at Barrow Hill in 1999, 55019 returned to the mainline, where it has been a popular choice of traction, running all over the country. 55019 is just as popular on Heritage Lines as well, where it has visited many lines.

As well as being the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway‘s 50th Anniversary, it is also 30 years since the KWVR held its first diesel gala. The first one saw 55015 ‘Tulyar’ and 55016 ‘Gordon Highlander’ visit.

50th Anniversary Gala

More information on this 8-day gala will be announced in due course. Please keep an eye on our homepage for up to date news 🙂

• Visit the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway website
  For more information