A series of 10 "baby deltics" were built and ran for some years, although they weren't particularly successful on the whole.

They were basically out of service by the time I was out of short trousers. I made special trips south to see the "warship" class 43 hydromatic transmission in Western Region out of Old Oak Common in London, the type 44 "peak" series and the diminutive type 3 diesel shunter at Birkenhead. The baby deltics were probably parked in a yard waiting scrapping.

I have dim memories of being held up over a bridge to watch steam trains pass, but by the time I was obsessively writing down numbers they were special trains like "Sir Nigel Gresley" and "the Flying Scotsman"

I left britain before the east coast electrification. I do still see my favourite type 8 Diesel shunter, the most ubiquitous kind in Britain, when I pass by.

If you want sheer power, It's a Deltic every time. That high pitched whine, it's unmistakable.