LSWR T3 563

I think rather to much is being made of the 'salty sea air'. At its closest Swanage Station is 10min walk from the seafront. If kept at Corfe it's a 15min drive. It's hardly going to be in the spray on the pier as some on here might like to imply. All Swanage's locos have always been kept in the open and they are none the worse for it.

In any case anyone who watches the evening weather will know that most of our air and weather systems comes from the Atlantic and sweeps across the whole country. I don't see a massive pile of salt 20 miles inland where all the salt suddenly drops out of the air and it becomes unsalted!

A 10mph wind will carry the 'salty' air 100 miles inland in 10 hours. How many other heritage railways are exposing their locos to this perilous danger?

And what about those coastal railways with undercover storage? I dident notice the air locks on the hermetically sealed Boston lodge when I was last there. Maybe they were hidden by the massive salt removal plants. I've bad news for you all. It's the same air inside the shed as outside How dare they keep Prince in the salty sea air!

I'm sure Swanage have said it will be under cover for the winter. Jma tells us that it spent 3 years in the scrap line and in the same post implies it will be irreparably damages by a few months outside.

I think this 'kept outside in the salty air' nonsense is more of a convenient stick to beat the NRM with than a genuine issue.

 

There are two issues and, as you say, it is early days. One - discussed at length but not resolvable here - is with the NRM and its policy on deaccessioning exhibits, and how those apply to 563.

The other, where I personally would have hoped for some more clarity, is with the Swanage Railway and their plans - short or long term - for this locomotive.

 

I understand what you are saying but the SRT now own the locomotive and you can be assured that plans are in place.
Please give it a couple of weeks and more and more detail will emerge.
Please don't assume that the SR don't care what you think, they do. They are enthusiasts too and I can assure you they don't want 563 to deteriorate or be put at any risk. If they felt that it was a possibility they wouldn't have taken it on.
Please just give them time to get settled in. 563 won't rot away in five minutes and if any one hadn't noticed, it's been sat outside for the last 6 weeks and until 3 days ago not a word was said about that.
I'm almost certain that the SRT wish to return 563 to steam but that will be up to them to democratically decide and announce at a time they see fit.

 

I can sympathise with your desire for more clarity on the Swanage Railway's part, for it's true they haven't exactly put peoples concerns at ease that much themselves. Though I'm betting to think that even this is not a fault of their own, but the NRM's, for I have a sneaking suspicion they could have some sort of an official handing over ceremony, or perhaps at the very least a press conference, for when 563 actually arrives at the railway. At least one would hope so, as it would at least put ease to some of the pressing concerns expressed on this thread and beyond.

Agreed, we all just need to take a breathe and wait to see what happens, it won't be game over for the locomotive as soon as it arrives at Swanage. So long as of course, such answers will be answered in due course.

Though to be quite frank I do find it absurd that some people seem to be under the assumption that 563 was gifted to the SR without warning and they have no idea what to do with it... What with their superb running of the line, ambitious expansion to Wareham and restoration of the moguls so far, I think the SR and it's professionalism deserve a bit more benefit of the doubt here, dosen't anyone here agree?

 

Can someone help me?

I'm not much of a loco expert, but it must be from the comments on this thread that loco 563 is largely composed of tissue paper and cardboard?

And presumably it only ran on the inner circle of the tube in London and was never allowed out in the open air?

Curious

Robin

 

More that it is going from generally being kept indoors, to an as yet unstated arrangement at Swanage where the sea air may be less than helpful to the locomotive's condition.

I hesitate to refer to it in this context, but have often heard the maritime conditions referenced in connection with the condition of locomotives rescued from Barry - I don't know how justly.

 

I would have thought that returning the T3 to steam would be more detrimental to the locomotive than just spraying it with thin oil and putting it on display at Corfe.
All that sulphur, heat and water. Shocking way to treat a national treasure, it's a wonder Judy Dench is allowed out into the sunlight as well come think of it!

 

I'm looking forward to hearing what the SR intends to do with No 563. I'm sure they won't allow it to deteriorate, but how will they be able to display it in an authentic context whilst protecting it from the elements? Looking forward to hearing their plans.

The SR might do well to issue a statement covering off some of the concerns that have been raised, and outlining what plans are in place and what still needs to be resolved. Most of us want this move to be a success (even if we don't all agree with the transfer of ownership), and an open and honest statement would be much appreciated.

It's true that the SR are not answerable to National Preservation, but getting us all on-side will nevertheless will be good PR.

 

You omit two points. First, that there have been previous deaccessions that have not gone well, which means there is naturally some concern. Second, that despite such previous form, neither body have put anything into the public domain that would allay such predictable concerns.

 

Time and time again on this thread I have said pump the brakes, give them 5 minutes and all will become clear. It is vital that enthusiasts are on side, and the SR fully intends to keep everyone up to date.

 

This point about sea salt penetration inland interested me. I did a little searching and considerable scientific investigation has been carried out. It seems that as a rough rule the concentration of atmospheric sea salt diminishes by half about every 20km downwind inland from the coast. It can therefore be assumed to be negligible about four half distances inland i.e. 80km or 50 miles.

The most accessible reference that I found is: Sea salt particles transported to the land, by SHIZUO TSUNOGAI, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Fisheries, Hokkaido University

 

I would have thought that SR had covered all the issues and concerns with the NRM and not have to seek reference and permission to us fish wives on NP.

 

They may well, and they don't. However, that doesn't mean that they shouldn't release a level of information into the public domain to clarify their plans for the preservation of this rare survivor.

 

I suppose all you concerned doom and gloom merchants, who seem to expect this engine to turn into a pile of rust flakes on arrival at Swanage, have heard of stuff called "polish?" I am reliably informed that regular application of this stuff to painted metal objects keeps them nice and shiny and inhibits deterioration of the paintwork. Certainly my last visit to the SR last year indicated that they not only know about this stuff, but are not afraid to use it.

I believe that application of a thin film of oil to bright metalwork, like connecting and coupling rods performs a similar protective function.

I look forward to seeing what the SR do with this machine, and wish them every success with it.

 

The SR are under no obligation to tell us anything, but it would be good PR to have a statement from them. 007, who seems to be their spokesperson on here, has suggested that all will be revealed if we are just patient.

 

I can assure you i'm not their spokesmen!

 

Does that work on tissue paper and cardboard?

Robin

 

The paintwork is less of a problem than where you can't get polish. Under the cladding being the most obvious place, where water can sit for weeks in the insulation. As to motion and so on - loco axle oil seems to be miscible, so tends to slowly wash off. The best protection is vaseline or mineral grease, based on the condition of the locos at the MHR, but it doesn't look too good.

 

My apologies. Your postings seemed to imply some authority and insight from a SR perspective.