LSWR T3 563

Thank you Tom!

 

I’m sure someone, somewhere has had a model of a T3 in BR lined black!

 

Thanks Ralph - looks amazing.

 

Brilliant - thanks for sharing. There's an idea there for my next coach model...

Steve B

 

from LNER Encyclopedia


Eastern Railway, James Holden took the office of, he was to hold this post longer than any other GER Loco Superintendent and was probably the most influential designer that the GER ever employed. He came from Quaker stock, like his predecessor, and was noted for his economical designs and his provision of large cabs for the benefit of the enginemen. He made major improvements to the layout of Stratford Works and introduced standardisation of locomotive parts and he made significant improvements to earlier designs. His locomotives tended to be simple, rugged low-maintenance engines. His "signature" features were the rimless, tapered chimney (so-called stovepipe) and the dome positioned well forward on the boiler.

He was quite innovative, introducing oil-burning, which utilised a by-product of the company gas works. The local authorities were unhappy with the gas works residues which were being run into a water course, poisoning everything downstream, Holden experimented with the residues and found them very suitable for combustion, so a burner was devised which was easily fitted and removable from the firebox. In operation, steam was raised by conventional means i.e. coal, then the fire was covered by a layer of broken firebrick, atomised oil was then sprayed into the firebox and some wood added, to provide a flame, thereafter the oil provided all the heat. The oil tank in the tender was warmed by the exhaust from the Westinghouse pump. Sixty locomotives, of a number of different classes, were converted. A notable successful trip was made by one oil-burner taking an excursion train from St Pancras to Scarborough and back in one day on a single tank of fuel

 

The restoration of Maunsell TO 1381 is almost complete, and due in service this year. Restoration of Maunsell TO 1346 is also well advanced. Paint them in SR livery, add a brake coach and you’d have a train appropriate for 563s final years in service.

In the longer term there are some LSWR grounded bodies at Swanage. They also have an Ironclad, with possible thoughts of aquiring more to go with the T3.

 

Looks like another promising update on the group page.

https://groups.google.com/a/swanagerailway.co.uk/d/forum/563

 

"You must be a member of this group to view and participate in it."

 

But presumably that will mean taking all the brass beading off the splashers? Seems rather a shame - it would be quite fiddly to get it off and equally fiddly to reinstate it later!

 

If 563 does return to steam, how many engines are there in LSWR 1903 livery ? I don't think there are any certainly not working, where as if it were to appear in its last working guise of 1930's Southern livery won't its uniqueness be lost under a coat of Maunsell olive green?

 

I'd agree going for the 1903 LSWR livery would seem to be the best option for 563's hopeful return to steam, as it would appear to be it's most distinctive guise. That said of course, as mentioned before, there's no reason why you can't have it appear in other liveries during it's first period in service.

I am curious though actually, just how many liveries/variances can 563 authentically carry? I would surmise 563 may be able to carry more then perhaps some of it's classmates, seeing as she was the last of her class to be withdrawn in 1945.

 

Presumably you are speculating about whether 563 was ever repainted from Maunsell olive green into some variation of Bulleid livery with "Sunshine" lettering? I guess the best way of answering this question is to track down some pictures either of the Kimbridge loops when they were used to store withdrawn locos or perhaps of Eastleigh works at the time. Given 563 was living on borrowed time for the last decade of its life and would probably not have lasted beyond 1940 were it not for World War 2, it would hardly have been a priority for repainting - or indeed for an overhaul. Certainly some older LSWR locos were repainted into Bullied livery prior to nationalisation, but this may have been done after 1945. I'd be certainly interested if some photographic evidence emerged to suggest that 563 was repainted after 1939, but if I was a betting man, I would put my money on her being withdrawn in tatty SR olive green.

 

No, no, no, no...!

What is it with railway enthusiasts trying to eliminate the stovepipe chimney from existence?!

Leave it as it is and restore its current livery. It will be unique in railway preservation and will fully reflect a long gone era.

Restore/find the relevant rolling stock as and when.

But please, I absolutely implore you - don't get rid of that stovepipe chimney!

 

If its intended to repaint it, stripping the paint back should show what liveries and numbering lettering styles the engine carried as very often paint would have been applied on top of existing finishes, so if it did get repainted between say 1939 and 1945, it would be still visable under the current livery

 

I do love a good livery debate in full flood!

I suggest a poll. £1 = One vote. Non refundable donation.

Those that wish to donate could have the option to select a livery. The livery with the most donations would the first to be worn. He who pays the piper calls the tune.

I'm personally still undecided. I love the early look. It's a beautiful livery, the stove pipe looks elegant and the whole thing works together. It would be truly unique.

But it would have to operate in completely mismatched surroundings. The earliest coaches that the railway will be able to field in the foreseeable future are the Maunsell open thirds and the stations are currently all BR southern although basically the same as they would have been in the 30s'. Its theoretically possible to put together a rake of Ironclads. I have a list of the survivors and their locations and have even made contact with some of the owners just to put a marker down but actual acquisitions and restorations are a long way off. If someone were to donate us one however............

So the choice seems to be between a cohesive look bonding Loco, Train and Stations or a Stunning loco in mismatched sourondings.

 

click on apply for membership if it bothers you

 

It’s good to hear you are at least making the owners aware of your interest. I cycled past Horsebridge station the other day, and saw the one there. Would be great if it could come to Swanage one day.

What about the two LSWR dining cars at Pontypool? Might be worth speaking to their owner too.

 

I’m not actually that keen on the lime green colour the loco currently has, I think the SR olive green was smarter and would suit it better