LSWR T3 4-4-0 going to Canada to appear in Railway Children.

It's in this months Steam Railway,

the NRM is exporting the LSWR T3 4-4-0 number 563 to Canada.
The engine is expected to leave very shortly for the Toronto Railway Heritage Centre.

The article suggests a return date has not been set, the engine will be used in a stage production of the Railway Children in Canada, initially for 6 months depending on success.

(The issue is March 2011..so it would seem a bit early for April 1st).

 

Re: LSWR T3 4-4-0 exported to Canada

Hmmm,

Maybe exporting to the Bluebell would have been a better bet.

Benny

 

Re: LSWR T3 4-4-0 exported to Canada

Gain one, you lose one! (Thinking of the Highland 0-4-4T). As long as the T3 comes back that's all I care. Perhaps they'll send back an A4 in return - although I'll rather keep the T3, there being only one of them!

 

Re: LSWR T3 4-4-0 exported to Canada

Steam Railway has been known to play the April 1st card rather well in the past. Who remembers GWR 4-4-0 'City of Truro' in BR black on the SR cover?

When the truth comes out I suspect it will have been a wind up, even if it is a little early for April Foolery.

John.

 

Re: LSWR T3 4-4-0 exported to Canada

Well I know it's accurate about The Railway Children going there.

Thank goodness they're not sending the Stirling Single! Though the T3 is almost as beautiful.

 

Re: LSWR T3 4-4-0 exported to Canada

Im sure they've said they were looking at bringing a loco over, so if they want to give the NRM's finances a boost then why not - she'll be coming back, and in the process should attract plenty of attention both sides of the Atlantic.

Now if only she could come back to an overhaul!

Chris

 

Re: LSWR T3 4-4-0 exported to Canada

Most likely April 1st joke. They would not play it in the next issue which would be sold after 1st April (thus making them the fools)

 

Re: LSWR T3 4-4-0 exported to Canada

Next isue goes on sale on 1st April...

 

Re: LSWR T3 4-4-0 exported to Canada

I'm sure this possibility has been mentioned before, and "export" is the wrong term to use as it implies that the loco is going and not coming back -"loaned" would be a better term, just as the J52 was loaned to the Sacremento Railfair some years ago. It went for a visit then came back.

 

Re: LSWR T3 4-4-0 exported to Canada

As far as I recall the article doesn't use the word "export" which implies as above that its not coming back. Plenty of museums lend items out of their collections around the world - this one just takes a bit more thought when planning the transport!

 

Re: LSWR T3 4-4-0 exported to Canada

If the story is true, the costs for shipping and supervising the loco to Canada will be huge. The "Railway Children" production at London Waterloo seems to have been a big success, with an extended run of shows but I can't understand why they are paying this sort of money when a local loco could have done the job.

Just found this video:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xh8885_railway-children-musical-coming-to-toronto-park_news
At the end, the commentary says "when the play is over, the [Toronto Historical Railway] Association gets to keep the train"! Maybe it is a one-way ticket after all.

Richard

 

Re: LSWR T3 4-4-0 exported to Canada

Anthony C, would a little clarification be available? I for one would be deeply upset to see the T3 go abroad for an indefinite period of time.

 

Re: LSWR T3 4-4-0 exported to Canada

Yes Jamie, indeed.

It is not a joke, we were preparing 563 today as it happens. And yes, it is a little harsh calling it an "export". She will come back - but such a beautiful machine deserves her spot in the limelight. Good care will be taken of her, we wouldn't let her go otherwise. The sums have been done, and it will be worth our while doing the job - and there is nothing suitable in Canada. GER saloon No.3 will accompany 563 to play "The Old Gentleman's carriage". 563 will leave Shildon probably the week after next - so there is still chance to see her - and she has been moved to the fromt of Locomotion in readiness for the move - which has enabled us to pair the maroon Crab with the LMS sleeper, nice to see!

The NRM has loaned locos internationally before as others have said and this is no different. And who knows what might come back the other way? ;-)

 

Re: LSWR T3 4-4-0 exported to Canada

Mr. Coulls, It would be nice to know when we might expect 563 back? I am guessing from the facts of what has been said that the Railway Children will run as long as it is successful, followed by a period on loan to the Toronto museum. The South Western is poorly represented in preservation considering it was the largest company in the South. To loose 563 for an extended period will mean that we will only have the Adams Radial and Granville in LSWR colours, although we do have to thank the NRM for allowing us to see the T9 and Beattie Tank in steam (albeit in later liveries). Any chance of seeing the T9 in SW livery to mark 50 years since it ran like that previously. Authentic recreations with BR stock would be possible too! How about the Blue Belle but this time from East Grinstead...

Mark

 

Re: LSWR T3 4-4-0 exported to Canada

Creative move Anthony - and one that will raise the world wide profile of the NRM, as well as hopefully wash its face.

You can see the silly reaction that has already started - take no notice!

 

Re: LSWR T3 4-4-0 exported to Canada

Not a wind up. It was being prepared at the NRM Shildon today and made several runs up and down the demo line for lubrication purposes, powered by the 03 diesel. Word is that it will go sometime next week for 'a year or so'.

 

Re: LSWR T3 4-4-0 exported to Canada

Wouldnt mind a certain A4 from canada............

 

Re: LSWR T3 4-4-0 exported to Canada

Thank you for the explanation, Anthony. I'd like to echo Mark's question above as to when we might expect the T3 to return, she really is one of the most beautiful of locos, I'd love to see her steam - although if I remember rightly the livery is the original applied in 1948 for the Waterloo centenary so it would be a shame to lose that.

As a Uni student in Aberystwyth I have no way to get up to Shildon so it seems that I won't have a chance to see 563 now for a couple of years. I'll be glad to see her back, whenever that is. As for getting something back the other way? My preference would be Waddon, but I suppose DofC wouldn't be too bad!

 

Re: LSWR T3 4-4-0 exported to Canada

Thanks All

At the moment, I cannot say when she will be back, depends on how well the play run goes. I'll let you know. But she will be back.

As for Aber to Shildon, it is a bit of a trek, I did Aber to York and back for the National Traction Engine Trust back in 1994 and also Aber to the S&C and back in a day, out on the first train (5.10 I think it was) breakfast in Salop and then return to Aber about 11.20pm. Happy Days!