Two generations of East Coast power were photographed at the King's Cross buffer stops on the evening of 25 November 1981. Deltic 55 021 had arrived on 1A26, the 15:50 from York, while power car 43055 brought up the rear of HST set 253 027, preparing to leave for the north.
Following the introduction of HSTs on East Coast services in 1978, the Deltics were soon relegated to overnight trains and secondary services. Such duties didn't justify the retention of high-performance, high-maintenance motive power and the fate of the Deltics was sealed. The remaining locos were due for withdrawal on 31 December 1981, so there wasn't much time left.
PHOTO DATA FOR IMAGE 81-UK-0431
camera : Canon FTb
lens : 50mm f/1.8
focal length : 50 (50mm 35mm eq)
shutter : 6 sec
aperture : f/5.6
ISO : 400 ISO
original : 135 Kodachrome 64
SUBJECT DATA
Loco / Unit : 55.021
Train : 1A26, 15:50 York - London Kings Cross passenger