THIS old lady of steam relied on the road rather than the railway to complete her latest journey.

Perched on a low loader, the huge and historic loco is pictured passing Whitehead Gardens in Manchester Road, Bury, on Friday, slowly making its way from the East Lancashire Railway (ELR) to a new home in Carnforth.

The 34073 Battle of Britain class loco is named “249 Squadron” and was originally built in 1948. It was withdrawn from British Rail service around 1964 and subsequently languished at a scrapyard in Barry for many years and never ran again.

But in May, 2006, having been moved from the Mid-Hants Railway, it was brought to ELR on behalf of Ian Riley Engineering, which is a tenant at its site in Baron Street, Bury.

The purpose was to pave the way for the “249 Squadron” to donate certain parts to operable sister loco 34067 “Tangmere”, which at that time was part-owned by Mr Riley.

Now, however, the 34073 has been moved to Carnforth, although for what future purpose is unclear.