LSWR T3 563

6 and a half years later and here we are! The beginnings of the thread was full of doomsday and naysaying. The locomotive looks fantastic and from that short clip, sounds it too. I hope all those who doubted the NRM and Swanage can take opportunity to see it in action. I suspect a roadtrip to see it next year is on the cards.

A huge credit to all those who came together to get it to this point.

 

Interesting isn't it, how so many people, were against the NRM gifting this engine away, had they not, there is no way it would now be a working steam engine, some times the NRM, do not keep an close enough eye on items it has leant out, its better now, but i can remember a loco being loaned out and then neglected, to the point where it had to be recalled, sometimes a loan, to a preserved railway is actually the best outcome, especially if it enables that museum piece to have an active life, we learn more from something that is live, and being used that something that is cold and dead.

 

One of preservations best success stories. A great outcome, well done to all involved.

Maybe this could set a precedent for one or two other locos which have been dead for years being brought back to life?

 

Please note though - it’s all in the planning and management of the project.

 

Including yourself if I remember correctly Martin.

 

yes i will admit i did have some reservations, but i was wrong, and will admit it, I honestly expected to find that the engine would be worn out, after the war use, and to find out it had practically had an full works bottom end overhaul was totally unexpected,

 

I think a lot of us were concerned. Deaccessioning a locomotive is a big deal and has only happened a few times before.

The T3 showcases what can be done with the right people.

 

Prhaps the neighsayers should have trutsed the judgemtne of the nrm staf in the first place?

 

There seems to a be/ there is a deep seated mistrust of the NRM from some very loud enthusiasts online because as I've posited before, the NRM isn't actively restoring their favourite locomotive and is run by professional museum staff and not just Some Guy who likes trains and owns a couple of wooly blazers. Since 2010, there has been continual cuts to museum funding in an act that can only be described as cultural vandalism. Ironic from a bunch who like to bang on about The Past and preserving it just so. So NRM and the wider museum group has to make up these shortfalls by finding new revenue streams such as coffee or the York Eye or the Wonderlab that can bring people in who want more than just some static locomotives (though I will concede at the detriment of some exhibits). So when an artefact like 563 is de-ascensioned, those people whos ideal museum is a bunch of trains (only the UK ones ofc) and a BTF film playing somewhere do get upset (which I think the initial reaction of surprise did seem justified) and think the NRM is just willy-nilly disposing of items. De-ascension is a regular part of museum management and its hardly like it couldn't return to the collection if the Swanage Railway ran into trouble

However, both sides have pulled a blinder here: NRM donating 563 to a group that can put it to far better and Swanage for being pro-active and getting it restored. Its hardly like these are being left on Leeman Road with a sign saying "Free To A Good Home", theres a process involved. We now have a elegant example of late Victorian steam that probably wouldn't have steamed any time in our lifetimes without it being donated out of the collection.

 

I agree, Swanage and the NRM have done well with the T3 though to an outsider, the NRM to appear to have made a lot of questionable decisions over the years.

Yes, I'm sure Wonderlab is great, but did it's creation require the closure of a very well equipped workshop that was viewed by thousands of people a year? It seems very short-sighted. The 60007 lot were very happy with the facilities available; why couldn't they have been rented out, even for a nominal fee? A big loco being overhauled in full view of the public. The vast majority of preserved railway workshops in the country are pretty grim, and certainly not in a warm, well lit building. Surely Wonderlab could've been incorporated elsewhere in the plans for the rebuilt site?

Their Vision 2025 page states "We're on a six-year journey to become a global engineering powerhouse and a reinvented, inspiring 21st-century attraction" yet railway engineering seems to be taking a back seat. Great, there's a new picnic area being built, but why isn't 35029 being made operational again?

With regards operational locos, I don't expect the NRM to be funding them, everyone knows they don't have the cash. But there do seem to be some odd decisions over the years, especially regarding the diesels. 41001 was operational until they appeared to have a falling out with the HST group. 55002 was a mainline loco, but the group were told they weren't welcome any more. D8000 was being rebuilt but again work was forced to stop. 47798 must've brought in some welcome income being hired to WCRC, until a lorry journalist got arsey about it.

I'll be honest, I've not been to the NRM for about 8 years. I used to go regularly, but now it doesn't appeal. It felt quite stale and watered down last time I went. I dread to think what it's like there now, especially with half of it closed for rebuilding.

Anyway, back to 563...!

 

I don't think there is any harm in asking questions.

Did it have to get quite so vociferous at times? Absolutely not.

As with everything, there is a balance to be struck. Ask the salient questions, listen to the replies. I think the T3 speaks for herself and to the quality of the project management, fundraising and engineering involved.

Now let all involved enjoy their success, for it's been well earned.

 

Without trying to make light of this too much, but on reading this first time around, I thought you were out of your mind! Then I realised you meant back into working order for display...!

 

35029??? Surely the least likely loco to ever become operational, especially with so many classmates languishing around the country.

 

Yes, sorry! It might be a bit leaky if put back into steam...

 

5944 means an operational exhibit again, with an electric motor turning the wheels to show how a steam loco works. Not put back into steam.

 

I'm not going to say everything the NRM does is always the right choice but it's hard to screen out legitimate criticism from noise. The workshop should really have been home to a group within the NRM and a small group showing the slow work and depth it takes to restore a locomotive. With regards to the 125 group, the NRM alleged something on the group's part that led to it being recalled. And the events that led to work stopping on the Deltic and 20 don't sit right with me either. I was on the impression EWS were unhappy with their locomotive (formerly) being used with WCRC but I could have got that one wrong. It really should have remained in service with WC crews and worked NRM hosted railtours but that's the way it goes. And yes 35029 should be made operational again in my opinion.

 

Just on the workshop, I visited it with my son a number of times when it was in use. Whatever it was or wasn't as a facility, it was hopelessly poorly interpreted for visitors - there was frequently little happening, and nothing visible to really explain what was what.

 

The treatmet of 44027 is not a good example of the NRM outplacing items with others.

 

Yup I got the same vibe when SNG was being overhauled there. Not sure what the answer is as it would/ should be shifting on what work has been done and what is still to do.

I was critical of that one over on the Berkley thread and have some frank opinions on that one.