LSWR T3 563

And won't it look great in the newly applied LSWR livery, fully lined out, simmering gently away, either at Swanage, or later, further afield, hopefully when 499 is completed, we might yet get to see a LSWR loco line up, 506, in its Southern black, along with 499 and 563 in LSWR green.

 

As you say some fascinating stuff is emerging about the loco's history and what happened when it was preserved and I add my congratulations to all at Swanage and the 563 group on your wonderful achievements in restoring this loco.

However if there was any (as you put it) "abuse the railway and the NRM got" I don't think it was in this thread
As a publicly owned museum and a publicly accountable charity the public are entitled to hold both the NRM and the Swanage Railway Trust to account and to question or even criticise their decisions. As far as I recall that's all that happened, not 'abuse'.

 

If that’s how you feel fair enough, but I can assure you it was abusive at times, beyond what is acceptable.
However, I don’t wish to drag this up any more. Let’s focus on the positive, you will all be able to enjoy 563 in Steam at Swanage in the near future and who would have believed that would actually be a thing!

 

There was nothing unacceptable in this thread towards the NRM or the Swanage Railway. Anyone who thinks there was is welcome to quote it (either in the thread or PM, if it’s best unrepeated) and I’ll withdraw my comments if convinced.

 

Don't get why anyone should be abusive, it's a win win, nothing has been done with it for years, now a keen and knowledgeable group are doing a super job in bringing this unique loco to life again.

what's not to like?

 

I think a lot of the strop was in a thread about de-accessioning NRM locomotives.

 

It’s in the past, we will leave it there. It was a tough time, but we got through it.

 

More information about the loco's history than would (probably) ever have been found out if it had remained at the NRM seems like a benefit for the NRM as well.

 

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=606039534894212&set=pcb.606041611560671
The 563 Locomotive Group announced on Facebook earlier today -
Touchdown – 563’s tender tank has been reunited with the frames!
The first bit of good news from yesterday [3rd May] at Herston Works was the arrival of 563’s tender tank. Parts of the tank have been refurbished and the well section of the tank has been replaced. Coal rails have also been fitted back to the tender for the first time since the 1960 cosmetic restoration at Eastleigh, when the T3 was last seen in its Drummond livery.
The frames looked wonderful out in the sunlight and we can’t wait to see the tank get the same preparation and treatment by our staff and volunteers in the works before Phil Anderson comes back again to line it and apply the LSWR lettering.
This is yet another great achievement and the job list is getting ever smaller as we continue to make further progress with the tender. We’ll bring you more exciting news from the Flour Mill next …
In the meantime, there’s less than £50,000 left to raise to fund the upcoming work and complete the overhaul.
If you'd like to make a donation and help us, you can make a payment direct from your bank to the 563 account at the Swanage Railway Trust (account number 93757269, sort code 20-68-79) with your name and ‘T3’ as the reference.
Secondly, you can make a payment online via the Swanage Railway Trust’s website at www.swanagerailwaytrust.org/t3-appeal or the 563 Locomotive Group website www.563locomotivegroup.co.uk
Finally, you can send a cheque to 563 Locomotive Group, Swanage Railway Trust, Station House, Swanage, DORSET, BH19 1HB. Cheques should be made payable to the Swanage Railway Trust and endorsed ‘563 Locomotive Group’ on the back please.

 

After the recent successful hydraulic and steam tests, 563's boiler is back in the frames which has allowed the cab roof to be re-fitted. More components can now also be reassembled on the engine now the boiler will remain in place.
The Flour Mill staff also test fitted a Drummond chimney which had earlier been purchased by the 563 Group from UK Architectural Heritage Ltd.
The loco is currently being turned out in Drummond’s 1903 livery with its distinctive stovepipe chimney but this acquisition does give the 563 Group the option in the future to portray the engine in appropriate liveries which haven’t been seen since the engine originally wore them.

 

Can I say I’m really excited about this? Stuff the crap going on in Londius tomorrow, This is the one I’m really excited about! (And yes I got a Stone Roses reference in there too )

 

Since no one raised any copyright issues (or other complaints) when I cut & pasted the image of the safety valves on 563's boiler lifting, hopefully there won't be any objections to my posting this latest picture from the 563 supporters' newsletter. A wonderful sight indeed!

 

Thanks; I did try to post that on behalf of the group yesterday, but my ability with technology failed me!

 

There was an update on the facebook group yesterday (https://www.facebook.com/SRT563LG) with a few photos showing recent progress - the cladding is back on the boiler with stovepipe chimney, and painting is underway. All looking very good!

 

I wash that there was a 'like it very much button'

 

Looks stunning

 

When 563 was last 'refurbished' for the 1948 Waterloo commemorations the steam heat pipe was not replaced underneath the front buffer beam.
I wonder if it will be included in the current overhaul?
Hopefully so, as it can get quite chilly in Winter - even in Swanage!

 

It will.

 

Thanks for confirmation, Nick.

 

Plenty of room to clean the smokebox out there: cf. a certain class of GWR tank where you have to be an acrobat to do same...