LSWR T3 563

One is, of course, ignoring The Schools Class loco which is still in the National Collection. Last time I heard, it had a cylinders fitted outside the frames, one nearside and the other offside. That is, of course, unless it has been rebuilt similar to what Thompson did with an LNER 4-4-0 way back when.

I think that those in the Scottish portion of the UK Collection ought to be counted too, so that adds another similarly afflicted 4-4-0 to the National Collection.

Therefore LSWR No 563 was not the only outside cylindered 4-4-0 in the national Collection a few weeks ago.

 

http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/new...railway-thanks-to-the-national-railway-museum

 

925 also has a cylinder between the frames so she's somewhat different to 563 in that respect.

 

But not unique and rare enough for the NRM to keep it.

 

Yet the NRM is, for the time being at least, hanging on to locos which are not unique.

 

The Swanage Railway will be doing a handover ceremony and I suggest you take it from there for more news. It is currently waiting on the railway for the handover date.

You not being impressed doesn't really matter. If you really think, that a Trust, that has always wanted to own a locomotive will let this rot, or not do anything with it then you need your head looking at.

 

Sorry, no it wasn't referring to your comments.

 

PR reasons I hope. Or ongoing negotiations with people who might be giving them money (obviously not the NRM) which might mean they're not quite ready to announce whether Plan A or B (or B and a half). I don't blame Swanage but I think the NRM were unwise to announce the change of ownership before Swanage were ready to reveal their own plans. They could have simply announced the loco was moving to Swanage and promised "exciting news" to come later in the year. Of course we would all have speculated on what this news might be but I expect this page would currently be 10 pages long rather than 22 and the Swanage-ites could have just smiled and said 'wait and see - all will be revealed when the red tarpaulin comes off' rather than being forced onto the defensive.

 

Not really off topic. There was some discussion (tongue in cheek) about how 563 might best be displayed. I'd like to think that it will be fully visible, so that it can be admired for its superb styling, and not half hidden behind interpretive panels and access gangways.

 

I'm reluctant to criticise the Swanage Railway over their lack of hard information. They clearly weren't expecting to be offered No 563, and therefore can't be expected to have a detailed plan in place. The SR can't be blamed for accepting the offer, and I fully expect them to formulate an acceptable plan after fully weighing the alternatives.

Whether the NRM can be considered to have done due diligence is another matter.

 

i agree about the modern manner of displaying locos.... I've still not visited Steam....probably better I don't.

I'm sure there are plans in progress at Swanage and I think some people are stirring the mucky stuff just because they are peeved that they aren't included in the planning process.

 

I think that the Swanage railway are being unfairly criticized, if there is any fault, its in the way the NRM / Science Museum have handled this, it would have been better id say the NRM had just said the engine is being moved to the Swanage railway, and that a full joint statement will be produced at a handover ceremony later. this would have given both parties time to come up with a more indepth announcement, including an appeal for funds to finance the needed examination and if theisable a return to steam, then she could go on display until 31874 is done, then gone into herston works for the examination, and decision on if its restored, or just put back together the painwork if it hasnt been repainted since 1948 will need re doing anyway . but the important thing would have been that there would be no vacuum of information.

 

I do believe that it was the Swanage Railway that made all the first public announcements...

 

I believe it was a simultaneous announcement by NRM and Swanage on 30/03. Probably NRM led.

 

Look at the Swanage PR photos closely. The loco is under a red tarp. In the open.now that is a concern....