25 January 2021 · The Restoration of 34081 92 Squadron

Presenter: Dr Steve Lacey

Our first Zoom meeting of 2021 saw Dr Steve Lacey, Chairman of Hitchin Branch, talk to us about 34081 “92 Squadron”. Steve started by giving us the history of the Battle of Britain Locomotive Society from its founding to the current day and its purchase of 34081 in 1973. There followed a brief outline of the work of OVS Bulleid and his designs · locomotives, carriages (including a tavern car!), carriage heating vehicles, the Double Deck EMUs and finally his work in Ireland including the Turf Burner.

The history of the locomotive started in 1948 and it was first allocated to Ramsgate. 34081 was transferred to Exmouth Junction in September 1957 where it remained until withdrawal when it was taken to Woodham’s yard at Barry. The locomotive was purchased by the Society in 1973 and taken to Peterborough, although this was nearly scuppered by the sudden introduction of 10% VAT.

Restoration took until 1997 and was almost completed when the site suffered from the theft of various non-ferrous items, but with help from others and the insurance, the work was finally completed and 34081 took its first run in March 1998. It moved to the North Norfolk in 1994 and also visited Llangollen and Swanage in 2007, before failing at Weybourne in 2008. It was moved back to Wansford for a second restoration starting in 2010, and this is when Steve got involved.

Steve talked to us with great enthusiasm of the “mucky” jobs that the team gave him to do and the things he learned along the way, including rivet preparation for hot riveting. Steve finished this excellent and informative presentation with a series of short videos of some of the restoration activities before completion in 2017.

34081 was rededicated later that year with replica nameplates and squadron badges, the original nameplate and badge that the society own can now be seen on display at the Battle of Britain memorial at Capel Le Ferne.

Report by: Steve Ollive