Manston was the 146th Locomotive to leave Barry. It was purchased by the Manston Locomotive Preservation Society and in June 1983 was taken to some sidings at Richborough Power Station in Kent for restoration.
Restoration work and fund-raising progressed slowly but steadily over the next 12 years. Unfortunately the group were requested to vacate the site at Richborough and were fortunate to be given a 'home' on the Great Central Railway at Loughborough.
Following the decision to join Southern Locomotives, the engine was moved to Sellindge in Kent in September 1998 where it joined a number of other Bulleid pacifics in various stages of overhaul.
Manston looks out from its tent at Sellindge prior to dismantling
Work commenced on preparing the locomotive so that the boiler and frames could be lifted from the wheels. In 2001 a crane was hired to do the necessary lifting of the boiler and the frames and the locomotive became a kit of parts.
2002 and 2003 saw the frames grit-blasted and painted and the superheater elements and tubes were removed from the boiler. The driving wheels were sent to Swindon for turning. The bogie and pony truck were sent to Herston works for overhaul together with the cab and numerous small fittings.
In 2004 the overhauled bogie and pony truck were returned to Sellindge and fitted to the newly overhauled frames so that they could be moved by low-loader to Herston works to complete the restoration. The boiler, together with the boiler from Sir Keith Park was sent to Crewe for overhaul.
In 2006 the team at Herston have been working full time on Manston and progress is now rapid with the expectation that the locomotive will be completed by late 2007.
Progress on Manston at Herston in October 2006
Progress on Manston at Herston in October 2006
Manston, in common with most Bulleid pacifics rescued from Barry, did not have a tender so the team at Herston are making a new one. Steel plate for the frames had to be specially rolled as imperial thicknesses are no longer produced. We have shared the cost of the production with other Bulleid owners who also need tenders and enough plate was produced to make six tender frames.
The tender frames being constructed at Herston in October 2006
257 Squadron is in the background awaiting overhaul
The pictures below show some of the detail work being done on Manston in August 2007.
Overhauled three throw crank and new bearings awaiting fitting.
Tender Brake gear detail.
One of Manston's injector bodies being machined.
The missing eccentric rod being machined.
Manston's tender nearing completion.
More pictures of the progress on Manston during 2007.
Pictures of progress during 2008.
[ Manston | Top of Page ]