ACCLAIMED ACTOR EDWARD FOX RE-DEDICATES A MIGHTY STEAM LOCOMOTIVE NAMED AFTER A KENT BATTLE OF BRITAIN AIRFIELD

News Item and Press Release from Andrew P.M. Wright - dated 20th Sept 2009
Official photographer & press officer, Swanage Railway.
Photographs are copyright Andrew P.M. Wright.
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Edward Fox re-dedicates 'Manston' at Swanage on 19th September 2009. Photo copyright Andrew P.M. Wright

A famous actor who starred in an acclaimed film about Britain's 'finest hour' against the Luftwaffe during the summer of 1940 has re-dedicated a newly restored Southern Railway express steam locomotive named in memory of a vital Battle of Britain airfield in Kent.

In front of Royal Air Force guests - as well as relatives of those who fought in the crucial make or break Battle of Britain - Edward Fox unveiled the newly restored 'Battle of Britain' class Bulleid Pacific No. 34070 'Manston' at Swanage station just after 12.30pm on Saturday, 19 September 2009.

Edward Fox with 'Manston' at Swanage on 19th September 2009. Photo copyright Andrew P.M. Wright

After being rescued from a South Wales scrapyard during the late 1970s, the volunteer-run Southern Locomotives Limited spent five years and £750,000 on returning 'Manston' to full working order in its original 1947 air-smoothed boiler casing designed by legendary locomotive engineer Oliver Bulleid.

The massive Leviathan of steam is now hauling trains on the relaid Purbeck Line - between Norden park and ride, Corfe Castle, Harman's Cross, Herston and Swanage - after being off the rails for 44 years following its withdrawal from British Railways in September, 1964, after running more than 700,000 miles.

Edward Fox (left) with David Whiting (right) on 'Manston' at Swanage on 19th September 2009. Photo copyright Andrew P.M. Wright

Award-winning actor and Isle of Purbeck resident Edward Fox starred as Pilot Officer Archie in Guy Hamilton's acclaimed 1969 film 'Battle of Britain' which was the brainchild of 007 James Bond film producer Harry Saltzman.

Also present at Saturday's re-dedication ceremony marking 'Manston's return to hauling passenger trains after a gap of 44 years was David Whiting, the step-son of Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding who was the head of the Royal Air Force's Fighter Command during the crucial Battle of Britain.

Driver Graham Froud (left) with David Whiting & Edward Fox (right) with 'Manston' at Swanage on 19th September 2009. Photo copyright Andrew P.M. Wright

After the re-dedication ceremony, 'Manston' made two return trips from Swanage to Harman's Cross, Corfe Castle and Norden - leaving Swanage at 1.10pm and 2.30pm - with the Swanage Railway's 'Wessex Belle' luxury dining train carrying Edward Fox and the other special guests.

With a water capacity of 4,500 gallons and a tender that can carry up to five tons of coal, the Southern Railway's Bulleid Pacific steam locomotives hauled prestigious express trains from London to Kent, Hampshire, Dorset and the south-west of England from the mid-1940s to the end of steam in July, 1967.

Manston departs Swanage on 19th September 2009. Photo copyright Andrew P.M. Wright

Southern Locomotives Limited has started restoration work on its third 1940s-built Bulleid Pacific - No. 34053 'Sir Keith Park' - which was also built for the Southern Railway in late 1946 and named after an Air Chief Marshal from the Battle of Britain.

During the Battle of Britain in 1940, New Zealander Sir Keith Park was an important tactical commander - dubbed 'the defender of London' by the German Luftwaffe - and in charge of the Royal Air Force's No. 11 Group which included the Manston airfield in Kent.

Manston departs Swanage on 19th September 2009. Photo copyright Andrew P.M. Wright

Funds are still being raised to complete the restoration of No. 34053 - which hauled London trains to a from Swanage during the mid-1960s - and work on the mighty locomotive is taking place in the Swanage Railway's Herston engineering works on the outskirts of the seaside town.

Withdrawn by British Railways in October 1965 after running more than 800,000 miles, the express steam locomotive is the only current memorial to Sir Keith Park in the United Kingdom and members of the Sir Keith Park Memorial Campaign will be attending Saturday's re-dedication of 'Battle of Britain' class Bulleid Pacific No. 34070 'Manston'.