34070 Manston – Preservation Service
34070 Manston entered service on the Swanage Railway on 14th September 2008 when it double headed a service train with 34028 Eddystone. Its boiler ticket was due to run to mid-2018, however it suffered a low speed shunting collision on 24th July 2017, and it was decided to withdraw it for overhaul in addition to repair of the crash damage. Manston returned to work on Swanage Railway in November 2022. It has subsequently run on the East Lancs Railway and Mid Hants Railway.
Manston at work on the Swanage Railway
 |
Manston double heading with Eddystone |
 |
Manston at Swanage |
The next week or so was spent finishing off the painting and lining of the tender. On 25th September, Manston was hooked up at Swanage to 9 coaches and 80078, a load of about 400 tons. It then hauled this train to Norden.
 |
Manston passing Corfe Viaduct with its test train |
Tangmere's visit to the Swanage Railway
On Saturday 2nd May 2009 34027 Tangmere hauled the first Steam hauled train from London to Swanage – the first time since the summer of 1967.
While on the line Tangmere double headed trains with Manston.
 |
Manston (leading) and Tangmere leaving Corfe Castle Station |
Eastleigh 100
Manston and Eddystone attended the Eastleigh Works Centenary, May 23–25 2009.
 |
Manston and Eddystone outside the works at Eastleigh |
Before returning from Eastleigh Manston was lifted in the workshop so attention could be given to its front bogie bearings.
Severn Valley Railway and North Yorkshire Moors - 2010
Manston ran on the SVR and then on to the NYMR in October 2011
 |
 |
|
34070 Manston entering Highley on the SVR (c) L Tidmarsh |
In driving rain on the NYMR (c) J Tidmarsh |
West Somerset Railway Gala - 2011
Manston ran at the WSR Autumn Steam Gala in October 2011.
 |
A great photo of 34070 Manston heading out of Minehead on 2nd October 2011. (c) T Clarke |
Manston at Great Central Railway - October 2013.
Manston starred at the Autumn 2013 Steam Gala on the GCR, as shown in this gallery.
In service until damage
34070 was in regular service at Swanage Railway alongside Eddystone and 80104. It travelled to Eastleigh for the centenary celebrations of the works. In 2010 it visited both the Severn Valley Railway and the North Yorks Moor galas, followed by a photo charter on Swanage Railway.
A minor disaster struck in October 2011 when a water carry-over damaged parts of the enclosed valve gear. The loco was moved to Herston works for repairs. 257 Squadron and Sir Keith Park were also in the works at this point, making three Battle of Britain class locos under one roof - some kind of a record.
Manston was back in service by July 2012. In 2013 it visited the Great Central railway for 10 days. Early in 2014 it was brought into Herston and its steam pipes were replaced. For most of the year Eddystone was used in preference to maximise its mileage before its inpending withdrawal for overhaul. It had made a foray to the West Somerset Railway's gala, but failed with a loose piston on Day 2. We'd planned a Photo Competition which attracted some good entries nevertheless.
 |
34070 Manston heads west from Washford with Swanage Railway's Graham Froud in characteristic pose. 27th March 2014. |