Original ‘BB’ nO. 34070 MANSTON

Originally numbered 21C170, Manston was the last ‘Light Pacific’ to be built under Southern Railway auspices, and therefore the last to receive its unique Bulleid number. The locomotive is also the most recent air-smoothed example to have returned to steam, back in September 2008. Like many of its ‘BB’ classmates, No. 34070 was based on the SR’s Eastern Division, and initially allocated to Ramsgate where, on May 31 1948, Manston had the distinction of hauling the inaugural ‘Thanet Belle’ Pullman express between Ramsgate and London Victoria. Electrification of the Kent Coast meant that Manston was relocated to Exmouth Junction in 1961, where it would work on the ‘Withered Arm’ and the ExeterSalisbury main line until withdrawal three years later. After leaving Barry in 1983, restoration was initially started at Richborough Power Station in Kent, bringing the ‘Spam Can’ back to the county for the first time in 22 years. When the power station closed, the locomotive moved first to the Great Central Railway, and then to Sellindge, alongside other unrestored Bulleids. Restoration of Manston was completed at Herston Works and the ‘BB’ has been based at the Swanage Railway ever since. This will be the locomotive’s last season in traffic, as the boiler ticket expires at the end of 2017.