1982.
After movement to Doncaster for storage prior to being offered for sale. This was achieved by the efforts of the Deltic 9000 Fund, who operated this locomotive until 2004.

1983.
The locomotive was removed from the scrap line at Doncaster Works on 3rd March 1983 and the Fund's bid was accepted on the 25th March 1983. Work being carried out on the locomotive culminated in both engines being restarted on the 11th May. After some time in the Paint Shop, when the loco was repainted, renumbered 9000 and fully operational, "Royal Scots Grey" was handed over at a ceremony at the works on the 7th September. Delivery to the Nene Valley Railway Peterborough, routed via the Joint Line behind 31102, took place on the 8th. The loco then ran under its own power to Wansford from Orton Mere. Further test runs took place on the 11th.
9000's first public appearance at a BR. Open Day was to be on the 24th September at Norwich Crown Point. The loco was taken, with 70000 "Britannia", to Norwich on the 21st behind 31415 and returned to the N.V.R. behind 37110 on the 26th.
After further tests on the 14th October, the first public return to traffic took place on the weekend of the 22nd/23rd when alternate trains were worked with the Standard 5 73050.

On September 8th 1983, the day after its hand over to the Deltic 9000 Fund at Doncaster Works, 9000 "Royal Scots Grey" was towed to the Nene Valley Railway by 31102. Few would have even dreamed then of some of the main line runs that have now been achieved with this loco, or that it would eventually be the first Deltic to return Railtrack metals.

1984.
1984"s season started on the 31st March with a light engine test run through Wansford Tunnel to Yarwell Mill, the western boundary of the railway. Public services commenced on the 7th & 8th April, to be followed by the 5th-7th May and 23rd & 24th June. The first unusual task for the loco came on the 4th July when 9000 was required to haul the return leg of a late evening charter back to Orton Mere. Normal services were run on the 14th & 15th July, in conjunction with a steam loco.
The next major Open Day was at Doncaster Works on the 28th July 1984, 9000 being hauled by 31161 as 9X31, again via the Joint Line on the 26th July having been tripped around from the N.V.R. the previous evening. The return working as 9X32 (destination WATER ORTON!!) on the 30th gave the opportunity to take the other Deltic purchased initially as a 12-wheeled spares vehicle, 55016 Gordon Highlander, back to Peterborough behind 31266.
9000's first filming assignment took place on the 14th August 1984, when the loco was used in a stunt sequence involving a level crossing incident for a BBC comedy programme called "Hilary".
Further running days for the year took place on the 18/19th August, 15/16th September and 6th October.

1985.
The start 1985 saw 9000 re-equipped with headcode indicators, in the nose end, with a partial re-paint, the loco was used on the Nene Valley services on the 30th March and to cover for steam loco failures on the following day as well.
9000's 1985 travels commenced with an invitation to attend the Perth Rail-fair on the 13th April. After a short trip involving 31423, the loco was attached to 6X71, the Whitemoor - Mossend Speedlink service, at Peterborough, with 37136 in charge to Millerhill. From there 47229 took 9000 to its former 'home' of Haymarket. After a thorough inspection, the loco was sent 'light engine' under its own power to Perth via Stirling! On the Friday evening 12th April, "Royal Scots Grey", hauled the Perth portion of the "Royal Highlander" sleepers into Perth station from the adjoining carriage sidings, before pre-heating the Mk 3 sleepers in the station, until arrival of the service train from the 20.30 Inverness to London Euston. After the Rail-fair the loco was used to drag back to Perth Station 20078 & 27052 which were unable to run, from Perth Yard where the majority of exhibits were on show. The return home commenced on 18th April behind 47041 on the 13.40 Perth - Millerhill. From there to Doncaster on 6E89, "Royal Scots Grey" had 47332 to Tyne Yard and 37024 forward. At Doncaster the loco was attached behind 47002, on 6E86, for the last leg to Peterborough, from where it ran 'light engine' back onto the N.V.R.!
Normal N.V.R. duties saw 9000 in service on the 4/5th May before hauling what is probably the largest train over a preserved railway, a 14 coach Railtour 1Z49 Oban - Plymouth from Orton Mere to Wansford and return on the 12th May 1985. After public service on the 23rd June, 9000 next made a test run on the 11th August, this being the first day two Deltics had run on the N.V.R. on the same day!
Scotland again beckoned with an Open Weekend at Haymarket Depot on 24/25th August. The outward journey was again on 6X71 behind 47319 on the night of the 15/16th August and another "light engine" movement took us onto the depot from Millerhill. On the Sunday 9000 was the centre of attention being rededicated to the regiment at a special ceremony. The loco soon returned to Millerhill, in the company of sister loco 55019 "Royal Highland Fusilier", behind 26039. Not until 6th September did the loco return South behind 37226 on 6E61 to Tyne Yard, and 37193 on 6E86 to Peterborough.
9000 was soon back in action, taking turns with 55016, on the Nene Valley Metals on the 14th September. A steam failure the following day gave the loco an extra turn before a weekend, two loco, operation on the 5/6th October. For the Sunday the loco was renumbered as D9000 and this proved to be the loco's last public appearance on the N.V.R. D9000 left the railway on the 25th November, being tripped around to Peterborough by 31185 before the following day's run on 9X09 behind 31231 to Doncaster Works.

1986.
The winter months saw "Royal Scots Grey" in the Paint Shop where the loco was repainted in original two-tone livery as carried in 1963. After brake tests and a thorough examination on the 17th March 1986, the journey North to Scotland started on the 19th when the loco was attached to 6X63, the 13.05 Scunthorpe - Craiginches, behind 37101. Just north of York the 37 failed and D9000 provided the power to take the train on to Tyne Yard! 47279 on 6X71 took the loco forward to Millerhill on the 20th and 08764 tripped D9000 round to Haymarket.
Bathgate Open Day on the 23rd March proved to be the first public appearance in the 'new' livery, 20227 taking the loco to and from the event.
The 3rd/4th May Open Days at Doncaster Works brought the loco south, this time behind 47324 on 6X89 for a dual appearance with 55016 before returning to Scotland on 6X63 with 37078 as far as Tyne Yard and a class 47 forward to Millerhill.
The Royal Navy's Open Day's at Rosyth on the 21/22nd June provided a unique occasion to display D9000 at the same location as other Deltic powered craft! 20226 delivered the loco on the 20th and 20208 returned it to Haymarket depot on the 22nd.
The next week found 26011 hauling "Royal Scots Grey" to Millerhill, in preparation of moving the loco to Inverness, for the Open Day held on the 26th June. 47210 on 6X25 took it from Millerhill to Inverness via Perth and Aviemore. The return was made on the 30th June, this time behind 37154 on 6X68 via Mossend, 37009 going forward to Millerhill. 26004 then took D9000 to Haymarket on the 1st July.
D9000 had been kept under cover and shown to organized parties, at Haymarket Depot, but on the 20th October 1986, she was moved from there to Millerhill behind 20221, from there onto Mossend behind 37203 and then 47006 to Glasgow Salkeld Street Parcels Depot, for winter storage due to modernization at Haymarket.

1987.
A move to Glasgow Shields Road Electric Traction Depot on June 18th 1987 was followed by a period of intensive checks, battery charging, and a full B.R. inspection which included "running up" both power units and brake tests. After being passed fit, "Royal Scots Grey" was collected by 47357 on the afternoon of June 22nd, and taken to Mossend Yard to await a service South. This proved to be 6M28 Mossend - Willesden which departed over one hour late with 85009 in charge. A trouble-free journey, often made amusing by the baffled stares of Midland Region staff, culminated in a rather late arrival at Basford Hall Yard, Crewe.
After a three hour wait D9000 was transferred on the local "trip" working (by 08472) to the Works complex calling at Crewe Electric Depot en route. At the Electric Depot D9000 was posed alongside 89001 for photos - a classic case of 'Beauty and the Beast'!
The Crewe Works Open Day on July 4th proved to be one of the most successful that "Royal Scots Grey"" has attended, attracting more than its fair share of attention considering it was something of an 'intruder'! On the Sunday 5th July D9000 was stabled on Crewe Electric Depot to await a move to its next venue.
"Royal Scots Grey"'s, was prepared for its next journey by the usual pre-movement examinations on August 17th, it was transferred by 08613 on the morning 'trip' working to Basford Hall Yard on August 21st. Transfer to Bescot took place behind 81011 on 6G80 14.15 Basford Hall - Bescot. D9000 was then taken by 31419, via Walsall and Saltley, to Tyseley T.M.D., where loco was to be stabled between Open Day appearances.
Whilst based at Tyseley T.M.D. where a certain amount of work was carried out by ourselves before the loco was moved to Basingstoke for the Rail Weekend there on 26/27th September. This movement, (6X11), proved to be quite a spectacular affair, motive power being the venerable 40122 (D200). Also in the cavalcade were D213 and the recently 'restored' 27059. The route was via Banbury and Reading West and the highlight of this trip was being turned onto "fast line" from Didcot to Reading instead of the expected trundle along the 'slow'; needless to say, the Class 40 was in top form. Arrival at Basingstoke took place in lashing rain but cleared sufficiently for "R.S.G." to visit the remaining section of the Alton branch to 'test' the track!
The 'Rail Weekend' event was unusual in that most of the exhibits were behind a fence with no public access. The undoubted 'star' of the show was D200, which performed on special trains to and from Andover, alternating with 37116, finishing each day with a circular trip via Laverstock and Southampton. It was especially interesting to note that it was advertised as a 'preserved' diesel!
The return trip to Tyseley on 28th September was unusual in having the now withdrawn departmental Class 24, 97201 (former 24061) in charge. Also in the convoy were 97403 and D213.
D9000 took part in the Depot Open Day held on Sunday 4th October and featuring in a line-up of English Electric power comprising D335, D200, D213, D9000, 9019 and 73122.
"R.S.G."s next movement soon followed, being hauled by 47473 as part of 6X71 10.30 Tyseley to Kidderminster (including 9019, D4 and D335) on the 7th October, departure being delayed by over 50 minutes due to correcting air leaks on each loco (except D9000). The route was via Saltley, Walsall, Dudley and Stourbridge. On arrival at Kidderminster, however, flat batteries meant that "R.S.G."s first trip to Bridgnorth, on the Severn Valley Railway, was to be hauled by, of all things, 27059! After battery charging and a thorough external clean, D9000 worked up light engine on Friday 9th to Bewdley, also enabling one or two minor faults to be corrected on route and saw the loco in position for the following day.
The Severn Valley Diesel Weekend on the 10th and 11th October at last gave D9000 a chance to haul passenger trains in its two-tone green livery. The trains worked were the 10.38 Bewdley - Kidderminster, with 9019 on the rear!, the 11.48 Kidderminster Bridgnorth, a long layover in Bridgnorth Yard, followed by the 17.42 Bridgnorth - Kidderminster (with spectacular climbs to the tunnel at Foley Park in the dark!). The E.C.S. working at 18.56 from Kidderminster back to Bewdley seemed to have nearly as many 'passengers' as some of the service trains.
The loco's stay on the S.V.R. was brief, however, moving onto Hereford for a mini Rail Day there on Saturday 17th October in the company of D335 (which had also performed on 'The Valley', being hauled by 37250 (0X20) on the 15th October. The two locos were again on the move on the 22nd October when 37703 took both locos on a 'tour' via Abergavenny, the Severn Tunnel and Swindon to Didcot where the two locos took part in the Didcot Railway Centre's Weekend on the 24th and 25th October. The following Saturday saw D9000 take part in an evening photo-session.
D9000 was originally scheduled to leave Didcot on the 18th December to go to Stewarts Lane Depot but lack of motive power prevented this movement taking place until the New Year.

1988.
The 4th January 1988 saw "R.S.G." finally leave Didcot behind 31413, routed via Reading, Old Oak Common and Kensington Olympia to Stewarts Lane Depot where the loco is being kept dry and secure.
"Royal Scots Grey" first Open Day appearance for 1988 was at Bournemouth Depot on Saturday 26th March 1988. It was inspected by B.R. on Friday 25th March prior to being moved to Bournemouth for the following day's event there. It left Stewarts Land at 14.00 on the Friday behind 73201 (formerly 73142) "Broadlands" (0Y77) to Bournemouth. The route was via Clapham Junction, Barnes, Hounslow, Staines and Woking, then main line to Poole. Where the Class 73 ran round so not to propel back into the Depot from Branksome station.
Other locos in attendance were 33008 "Eastleigh", 47440, 73201 "Broadlands", various Southern EMU's including the 4-Sub and LMS steam loco 5305.
The movement back to Stewarts Lane started at 19.00 on the Saturday night, after another successful examination of the loco, "R.S.G." was towed back to Stewarts Lane direct via Branksome, main line to Clapham Junction then onto Stewarts Lane with again 73201 as motive power. Eventually arriving back on Stewarts Lane at 22.30.
Its next Open Day was at its home base namely Stewarts Lane Depot Sunday 10th April 1988. This Open Day found various class 33's on display with the following visiting locomotives; 47613, 50007, 56001, 58039 and 73004.
The movement from Stewarts Lane to Colchester was made on Monday 2nd May, at 4.00, for the Open Day at Colchester on Monday 2nd May. The train loco's were 33114 (Sultan) and 73204 (Stewarts Lane). Also included in the train were D9000 and the 4-Sub electric unit. The route taking was via Willesden Junction, North London Line to Stratford and then straight onto Colchester; arriving there at about 6.00.
Various other loco's were on display including 87018, 86246, 58044. "Royal Scots Grey" being the only preserved loco on display.
The movement back to Stewarts Lane was due to be at 20.40 on the Monday evening, but due to overhead power lines being down, the train was delayed in departure from Colchester until 23.00 - the same route and loco's as the outward route was taken.
The weekend of 28th - 30th May found "Royal Scots Grey", attending two events; firstly Bedford on Saturday 28th May. Where the movement from Stewarts Lane to Bedford was made on Saturday 28th May, leaving at 4.00 in the morning. The train loco was 33206. The route taking was via Clapham Junction, Barnes, New Kew Junction, Kew East Junction, South Acton, Neasden Junction, Dudding Hill Junction, Brent Curve Junction and then straight onto Bedford; up the Midland main line; arriving there at about 6.00.
Other exhibits were 20123, 45128, 55015 (Tuylar) and steam loco 80080.
The move back to Stewarts Lane was made on the Saturday evening, this was because the class 33 was required back in traffic on the Southern Region on the Monday and due to engineering operations, it was decided to take "R.S.G." to Woking for the Woking 150 Celebrations on the Sunday and Monday, instead of staying at Bedford for the Sunday as well.
The loco left Bedford at 19.00 on the Saturday evening, with 33206 as train engine as far as Cricklewood, here "R.S.G." was examined on Cricklewood Depot, before hauling the 33 south to Clapham Junction, via Cricklewood Curve Junction, Dudding Hill Junction and then following the same route as the outward move. It was decided on arrival at Clapham Junction to let the Class 33 take "R.S.G." direct to Woking instead of calling in at Stewarts Lane to save time. The route taken was via Barnes, Brentford, Ashford, Staines, Virginia Water, Addlestone and Byfleet.
The second event of this weekend being the Woking 150 Celebrations on Sunday 29th & Monday 30th May. The movement to Woking was direct from Bedford as outlined above.
50003 hauled "R.S.G." direct via Clapham Junction to Stewarts Lane, instead of the usual detour via Staines and Barnes.
After spending some time at Selhurst T.M.D. (transferred by 33209 on June 7th), D9000 left on July 1st for the N.S.E. Open Day at Portsmouth and Southsea Low Level Station, on the 2nd, in the company of 73130 (en route for naming as "City of Portsmouth"). The route was via Crystal Palace, Clapham Junction, Virginia Water and Guildford to Fratton where the locos remained overnight. Late night entertainment was provided for the loco minders by watching 37250 being re-railed. This loco then became an additional exhibit at Portsmouth & Southsea ! "R.S.G." returned to Stewarts Lane during the evening of the 2nd, again in the company of 73130.
Once again at Selhurst where maintenance work to the traction motors was carried out, D9000"s next short trip was behind 09012 to London Bridge Station for the N.S.E. event there on August 27th, returning to Stewarts Lane with a Class 73/1.
The next N.S.E. function was at Margate on 3rd and 4th September, D9000 departing early on the Saturday morning as 0Z69 via Herne Hill and Rochester at a sedate 45 mph with 73204 in tow, and returning, hauled by 73204, as 0Y02, on Sunday evening.
On the Saturday evening of 17th September, D9000 traveled with a rather poorly 73004 via Southfields, Wimbledon and Basingstoke to Eastleigh T.M.D. After the Open Day at the adjacent Works on the 18th, D9000 and 73004 made their way back to Stewarts Lane, this time via Virginia Water.
D9000's last engagement of the 1988 season was an appearance at the Ian Allen Network Day at Waterloo Station on Saturday 1st October, the short trip from Stewarts Lane being made behind 73107. 50043 took D9000 to Clapham Junction the same evening before transfer back home to Stewarts Lane the following day behind 33107.