mixed traffic locomotive No.80105 at B&KR

The locomotive No.80105 entered service with British Railways on 19th April built in 1955, at a cost of £18,206 that year. The engine is one of a class of 155 mixed traffic locomotives, introduced from 1951. The class was built for general use across the UK and could be run equally well forwards or backwards (though generally they were turned, rather than work bunker first).
Originally shedded at Plaistow (33A) in east London, the big tank was sent in November 1959 to Tilbury on the closure of the former shed and continued to work the LT&S until the electrification scheme was completed in June 1962. The locomotive was thus 8 years old when withdrawn from its intended duties. It was stored at Old Oak Common from June to July 1962 and then allocated to the Western Region for use on the Cambrian Coast section. 80105 was then shedded at Machynlleth (89C and the shed for Aberystwyth), Shrewsbury (84G) and Croes Newydd (84J).
80105 had received an overhauled boiler (No. 1300) at overhaul in Crewe works in 1963 and this boiler was in very good order. The original boiler was No. 1334 and this is still in existence, on No. 80079 at the Severn Valley Railway.
Withdrawal
80105 was finally withdrawn from service July 1965. After withdrawal, it was sent to Woodham’s scrapyard in Barry, South Wales in January 1966. Upon arrival, its non-ferrous fittings were removed, but much was also left on the engine.
Locomotive Owners Group (Scotland) Ltd
80105 was inspected by members of the SRPS in autumn 1972 as an example of a class which saw extensive deployment in Scotland, and was chosen as the best surviving example. Most of the motion was fitted, and the connecting rods were safely in the bunker. The inevitable fund-raising was carried out but it was not until the formation of a limited company, (Locomotive Owners’ Group (Scotland) Ltd.), that the necessary capital was forthcoming. In October 1973, 80105 was brought north by road and unloaded at Larbert, where it was inspected by BR. It was then passed as fit to travel by rail to the SRPS depot at Falkirk and this trip was accomplished without trouble, but with much castor oil on the axle bearings.
Upon arrival at Falkirk, the locomotive was fairly quickly dismantled and the frames taken into the shed. Work then came to a halt upon discovery that the rear frame stretcher, which carries the firebox, was corroded beyond repair, although an attempt was made to do this. Throughout the 1980s, there was little activity and the locomotive was then taken to Bo’ness on closure of the Falkirk depot in 1988. The route taken by the haulage contractor ensured that 80105 will remain the only steam locomotive to have operated at Bo’ness that will have travelled under the old Crawyett Bridge on the A904 before the road was re-aligned to cross over the railway. Thus it has the doubtful distinction of having passed below the bridge as well as over it! Once the Bo’ness workshop facility was in full operation, 80105 was moved inside and restoration re-commenced in earnest in 1992. The locomotive was re-wheeled in 1995, and the boiler sent to Babcock for repair. Castings and fittings were obtained, and the cab equipment duly removed from the loft of one member’s house, where it had reposed without detection from the domestic authorities for ten years! If you have supported the Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway over the years thank you so much and please keep supporting our wonderful railway thanks for watching take care and keep safe
Email:volunteers@srps.org.uk
Telephone: 01506 825855
Bo'ness Station, Union Street, Bo'ness. EH51 9AQ