BULLEID BRILLIANCE - MANSTON HAULS ITS FIRST PASSENGER TRAIN SINCE 1964 - 14th September 2008

Photo Report from Andrew P.M. Wright - dated 16th September 2008
Official photographer & press officer, Swanage Railway.
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Southern Locomotive Ltd's unrebuilt Bulleid Pacific locomotive Manston powers out of Swanage in front of fellow Bulleid Pacific No. 34028 Eddystone with the 4.30pm out of Swanage on Sunday, 14th September 2008, bound for Herston Halt, Harman's Cross, Corfe Castle and Norden park and ride. Manston is seen tackling the 1 in 76 gradient between New Barn and Harman's Cross

Newly restored Battle of Britain class Bulleid Pacific No. 34070 Manston has hauled its first passenger train since being withdrawn for scrap by British Railways back in 1964 - on the Swanage Railway's relaid Purbeck Line.

Andrew P.M. Wright has supplied nearly 30 photos of this historic event. To see the full set of photos, please scroll down to the bottom of the page.

It was sheer Bulleid brilliance as Manston powered out of Swanage in front of fellow Bulleid Pacific No. 34028 Eddystone with the 4.30pm out of Swanage on Sunday, 14th September 2008, bound for Herston Halt, Harman's Cross, Corfe Castle and Norden park and ride.

The dramatic double header with five coaches on in the late afternoon September sunshine was an apt and exciting end to the third and final day of the Swanage Railway's annual autumn grand steam gala and classic vehicle weekend.

Southern Locomotive Ltd's unrebuilt Bulleid Pacific locomotive Manston with fellow Bulleid Pacific No. 34028 Eddystone at Corfe Castle on 14th September 2008.

Owned by Southern Locomotives Ltd, the restoration of Manston from a scrapyard wreck to a gleaming locomotive has taken more than four years and some £750,000 at the Swanage Railway's Herston engineering works on the outskirts of Swanage.

The footplate crew of Manston for the hauling of its first passenger train since being withdrawn from service by British Railways in 1964 was driver and Swanage Railway fitter Graham Froud with driver Ian McDavid acting as his fireman.

Southern Locomotive Ltd's unrebuilt Bulleid Pacific locomotive Manston with fellow Bulleid Pacific No. 34028 Eddystone at Corfe Castle on 14th September 2008.

Also on board for the test run was Willie Bath of Southern Locomotives Ltd who has overseen 'Manston's complex restoration and Swanage Railway locomotive, carriage and wagon manager James Cox.

The crew on No. 34028 Eddystone was driver George Crouch - a fireman with British Railways based at Eastleigh during the late 1950s - and fireman Pat Platt.

On reaching Norden park and ride station, the double-headed pair of Bulleid Pacifics ran round the train - Manston being put in front of Eddystone for the return trip - and formed the 5.10pm train back to Swanage.

Southern Locomotive Ltd's unrebuilt Bulleid Pacific locomotive Manston with fellow Bulleid Pacific No. 34028 Eddystone on 14th September 2008.

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