A much-loved giant of the railway tracks roared through Oxfordshire as Deltic locomotive D9000, Royal Scots Grey, came out of retirement to haul a Virgin main-line train, writes CHRIS GRAY.

The 100-ton diesel delighted passengers with a sparkling performance that recalled its heyday as a star of British Rail's Anglo-Scottish services during the 1960s and 1970s.

Rail buffs who crowded on to the train at Oxford enjoyed a thrilling run, with the 22 miles to Banbury covered in 18 minutes - a start-to-stop average of 75mph.

Virgin Trains hired the 37-year-old locomotive - now the pride and joy of a preservation group - for a number of its weekend services, including the 6.36am Poole to Birmingham through Oxford.

A spokesman explained there was a double benefit from using the engine. "The trains allow enthusiasts around the country the chance to see and ride on a scheduled service hauled by D9000, while at the same time Virgin is gaining revenue from otherwise lightly loaded trains."

The Royal Scots Grey was one of a class of 22 powerful diesel engines which revolutionised railway services between London and Scotland in the days following the end of steam.

Though initially loathed by rail enthusiasts loyal only to steam, the engines eventually became almost as affectionately regarded as the A4 Pacifics - including the rec- ord-breaking locomotive Mallard - they replaced. Their demise in the late 1970s, when they, in turn, were superseded by high speed trains, was a source of great sorrow to many enthusiasts.

The D9000 Royal Scots Grey is scheduled to return to the tracks through Oxford on Saturday, March 27, next year, much to the delight of railway enthusiasts.

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