EDWARD Fox, 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 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.

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 Purbeck Line – between Norden park and ride, Corfe Castle, Harman’s Cross, Herston and Swanage.

It was off the rails for 44 years following its withdrawal from British Railways in September, 1964, after running more than 700,000 miles.

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.

Also present at the ceremony 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.

Southern Locomotives Limited has started restoration work on its third 1940s-built Bulleid Pacific – No 34053 ‘Sir Keith Park’ – which was named after an Air Chief Marshal from the Battle of Britain.