The Great Central Railway (GCR) has confirmed that Class 55 Deltic D9015 Tulyar will be based at the heritage railway during 2026* and that it will hopefully mark a major milestone for diesel preservation when it hauls its first passenger train in 29 years.

Owned by the Deltic Preservation Society (DPS), D9015 is one of the most historically important surviving Deltics. It entered British Railways service on 13 October 1961, built at a cost of £156,000, and was delivered in BR two-tone green without yellow warning panels — already carrying the name Tulyar, after the Aga Khan’s famous racehorse.

During its BR career, D9015 amassed approximately 2.25 million miles, appeared at the May 1980 Rainhill Trials representing the class, and remained in frontline service until January 1982, when it worked the northbound leg of the famous Deltic Scotsman farewell railtour from King’s Cross to Edinburgh.

Preserved since the mid-1980s, the locomotive saw extensive use on the heritage railway circuit before being withdrawn in 1997 for major bodywork and mechanical attention. Since then, the Deltic Preservation Society’s long-term restoration programme has seen around £450,000 invested in known expenditure, alongside many tens of thousands of volunteer hours. A significant milestone was reached on 31 July 2025, when D9015 was successfully started for the first time since 1997.

I’m not particularly a diesel locomotive enthusiast, but you have to admire her renovation. She looks fabulous (photo by Nigel Julian. Good job!). If you are a diesel enthusiast, then you’ll be pleased to learn that Great Central Railway will be offering some Driving Experiences on a limited number of days during her stay.

* Unfortunately, there’s no detail on when exactly. They say that D9015 will have a limited number of operating days, and that they “hope” the locomotive will put in an appearance at their Spring Diesel Gala on 24-26 April.