34081 ’92 Squadron’ is to leave its current home of the Nene Valley Railway for pastures new at the East Lancashire Railway.
The move is to secure new opportunities for the owning group, the Battle of Britain Locomotive Society.
34081 has been owned by the Battle of Britain Locomotive Society since 1973, when they purchased the locomotive for £3,500+10% vat.
Originally, it was planned to restore the locomotive at the Dean Forest Railway, but with talks breaking down, the overhaul was completed at the Nene Valley Railway, which began in 1977.
34081 has been in service since its last overhaul was completed in 2017.
Responses
FURTHER TO MY 1ST COMMENT ON POSSIBLE RAIL TOURS BY N.V.R. THEY DO NOT HAVE TO START UP ON THIS. WHY NOT CONTACT ALL OR ANY OF THE 29+ REGISTERED TOUR COMPANIES ALREADY. THE EXPERTISE IS ALL READY AVAILABLE. I AM SURE N.V.R.. HAS A MEMBER IN ITS SET UP CAPABLE OF CONTACTING THESA COMPANIES, IN WRITING OR PHONE.
Overall, I think the movement of 34081 is a positive as the locomotive will have more freedom to the mainline if The Battle of Britain Locomotive Society ever get mainline certificates. Overall, the movement of the locomotive will allow it to travel 4 extra miles across the heritage line.
I hope that this does not prevent the loco being hired out to visit heritage railways in Southern territory. I wonder, too how this will affect the fortunes of the Nene Valley Railway. I suspect that the NVR will have to re-set priorities, especially as it seems to have a policy that visitors from down south do not get a ride owing to the ridiculously early time of the last round trip from the Peterborough end.
The loco will have more freedom to visit other railways. Best you ask the Nene Valley how it will affect them.
I believe this move is the best thing for the loco.
Great and sad loss to N.V.R. I can only hope they have planned for the future with a large engine replacement. Or if not they will be able to fund hiring in. Just another thought, with the man line connection get into the charter train business. No problem to run in any direction. Finally best wishes for the future