BR Battle of Britain class 34073 249 Squadron

249 Squadron at Bury in 2010

BR Battle of Britain class 34073 249 Squadron is one of 20 surviving Bulleid light pacifics. Built in May 1948 as a British Railways-built example of a Southern Railway design, and named after the RAF's 249 Squadron, it remained in service until June 1964,^[1] after which it was ultimately scrapped the following year at Woodham Brothers Scrapyard.^[2] It awaited restoration at Ian Riley's workshop, Bury before moving into storage at Carnforth. She had over time given several parts to sister 34067 Tangmere.

After withdrawal[]

34073 249 Squadron at Woodhams' Scrapyard in 1984

After withdrawal, it was moved to Woodham Brothers scrapyard, Barry, (in South Wales) for scrapping. It remained there until February 1988 when it was moved to Brighton for the Brighton Railway Museum project at the Pullman works. The locomotive was stored at Ropley on the Mid Hants Railway for a number of years, while awaiting a decision about its restoration. Some time around May 2006 the locomotive left the Mid Hants in order to donate parts of its valve gear to sister engine 34067 Tangmere (which had suffered a catastrophic failure while hauling a mainline excursion, causing its valve gear oil-bath to be punctured).^[3]

Current location[]

34073 249 Squadron is currently stored at Carnforth after being moved from Bury in 2014. She is awaiting overhaul, possibly to join the WCRC fleet.

References[]

^ R.J. Mannion The Southern Pacifics, Sutton Publishing, 1998, p. 199
^ 34073 249 Squadron|Preserved British Steam Locomotives|https://preservedbritishsteamlocomotives.com/34073-249-squadron/
^ News of 249 Squadron leaving the Watercress Line in 1986 – includes picture (scroll down to 2nd story on page)