BULLEID PACIFIC LOCOMOTIVE MANSTON LEAVES HERSTON WORKS AND MOVES ONTO THE SWANAGE RAILWAY - 2nd September 2008

Photo Report from Andrew P.M. Wright - dated 3rd September 2008
Official photographer & press officer, Swanage Railway.
Photographs are copyright Andrew P.M. Wright unless otherwise noted. To view a larger version of any photograph on this page, just click on the thumbnail photograph and subsequently use the Back button on your browser to return to this page. Photos on these pages are low resolution versions. Full resolution photos are available for media use

Southern Locomotive Ltd's unrebuilt Bulleid Pacific locomotive Manston stands at Harman's Cross during a break in its journey from Herston Works to Swanage station via Norden. Passing in the background at the award-winning Harman's Cross signal box is rebuilt Bulleid Pacific locomotive Eddystone.
Photo copyright Andrew P.M. Wright

Andrew P.M. Wright has supplied over 140 photos of Southern Locomotive Ltd's unrebuilt Bulleid Pacific locomotive Manston moving from Herston Works on Tuesday 2nd September 2008. We also have several photos from John Rowley capturing the transfer of Manston onto Swanage Railway metals at Norden.

To see the full set of photos, please scroll down to the bottom of the page.

Unrebuilt Bulleid Pacific Battle of Britain class locomotive Manston - No 34070 - has been under restoration for some years at Herston works alongside sister locomotive 257 Squadron. Manston left Herston Works and was transported by specialist haulier Allely's by road to Norden's road/rail interchange.

Southern Locomotive Ltd's unrebuilt Bulleid Pacific locomotive Manston outside Herston Works on the outskirts of Swanage on Tuesday 2nd September 2008. Pictured with Manston outside Herston Works is Tony Laming (left) with his son Jez Laming. Tony rescued Manston from the Barry scrapyard in 1978.

Andrew's loading photos were taken very early on the Tuesday morning and the photos at Corfe Castle, Harman's Cross and Swanage were taken later on the Tuesday afternoon.

Pictured with Manston outside Herston Works is Tony Laming with his son Jez Laming. Tony rescued Manston from the Barry scrapyard in 1978.

The locomotive will now spend several weeks at Swanage loco shed undergoing final testing and fettling before entering service on the Swanage Railway. Manston is expected to be in light steam at Swanage during the Swanage Railway's Annual Grand Steam Gala and Vintage Transport Rally to be held 12th-14th September 2008,

Southern Locomotive Ltd's unrebuilt Bulleid Pacific locomotive Manston emerges from Herston Works on Tuesday 2nd September 2008.

Manston was the last light Pacific to be numbered using Bulleid's unusual system and it emerged from Brighton Works in November 1947 as 21C70. It was the last locomotive to be built by the Southern Railway before Nationalisation. (acknowlegements to Southern Locomovites Manston pages here.)

Southern Locomotive Ltd's unrebuilt Bulleid Pacific locomotive Manston emerges from Herston Works on Tuesday 2nd September 2008.

Manston was initially allocated to Ramsgate for duty on the main line services to London and on 31st May 1948 it had the distinction of working the inaugural Thanet Belle Pullman train between Ramsgate and Victoria. In common with the other Bulleid numbered engines, it was given a conventional BR number, 34070, and in 1950 it was transferred to Stewarts Lane shed for work on the important Eastern Section services to Folkestone and Dover as well as the Central Section services to Brighton. In 1955 it was moved to Dover where it was used on the Continental boat trains including the Night Ferry.

The transfer of Manston onto Swanage Railway metals at Norden.
These 2 photos courtesy John Rowley

The completion of the Kent Coast electrification in May 1961 meant that there was no longer any suitable work at Dover and it was transferred back to Stewarts Lane and then to its last shed, Exmouth Junction. In common with the other Exmouth Junction based locomotives it worked over the Southern's extensive system in Devon and North Cornwall as well as the main line between Exeter and Salisbury. It was finally withdrawn in August 1964 and sent for scrap to Woodham's at Barry.

Manston remained at Barry for 18 years before being purchased by the Manston Locomotive Preservation Society.

John Rowley has supplied several photos of the actual transfer of Manston onto at Swanage Railway metals at Norden. John's photos also show the Swanage Railway's Standard Class 4 Tank No. 80104 arriving to haul Manston to Swanage via Corfe Castle and Harman's Cross.

Southern Locomotive Ltd's unrebuilt Bulleid Pacific locomotive Manston being towed to Swanage by Standard Class 4 Tank No. 80104

The loco was towed to Swanage by Standard Class 4 Tank No. 80104 - built at Brighton in 1955 - in the third service path - hence the stops at Corfe Castle and Harman's Cross.

Southern Locomotive Ltd's unrebuilt Bulleid Pacific locomotive Manston at Corfe Castle and Harman's Cross hauled by Standard Class 4 Tank No. 80104

The team carrying out the transfer take a break in the journey at Harman's Cross as Tony Laming looks on from Manston's footplate on Tuesday 2nd September 2008.

Southern Locomotive Ltd's unrebuilt Bulleid Pacific locomotive Manston arrives at Swanage station, and Tony Laming - who rescued the locomotive from the Barry scrapyard in 1978 - looks on as the locomotive takes on water for the first time in many years.

Please see our separate item with photographs of the loading of Manston's tender at Herston and its unloading at Norden on Monday 1st September 2008 by clicking here.

The following 143 photos are copyright Andrew P.M. Wright, with a further 14 photographs copyright John Rowley.

To see the full set of photos, please scroll down to the bottom of the page.

The above 143 photos are copyright Andrew P.M. Wright.

The following 14 photos are copyright John Rowley.