LSWR T3 563

I am looking at the version of AB MacLeod's memo re: 563, as reproduced in 'MacLeod's Other Island'. It includes the sentence:'Engine need only be complete externally.' Also that the cabside numberplates were to be cast iron. Clearly, between 4th May 1948 (the inspection) and 28th May (Engine in the works yard being prepped for repainting, with the firetubes being replaced), there had been some rapid rethinking. Discussing the business at Ropley earlier, we came to the conclusion that being towed an appreciable distance was a given, therefore getting the bottom end right would be to everyone's advantage. The boiler was another matter. Hiding some of the mechanical costs would have been easy enough, but hiding the cost of a new firebox was impossible.
Whatever, we can look forward to seeing one of the most elegant engines in the country at work once again.
Pat

 

Is there no record cards for the Engine at the NRM. ? I thought records were kept by the railway companies for each loco, which might give details about what was done, why and the cost etc. Even coaches had record cards. In preservation today overhauls can takes years, but back in the day such work would only take weeks with the large numbers of full time staff plus easy access to spares etc.

 

D'you mean like Swindon's works card for 1213?

 

I'm pretty sure Kew have/had the engine history cards. I got a copy of 5399's from there.
Ray.

 

It's been a while, so I pulled up the FB page on the offchance. No sign-in needed. Progress!

https://m.facebook.com/pg/SRT563LG/posts/

 

For more more regular updates you can sign up to the 563 Locomotive Groups mailing list on the website for regular copies of the groups ‘T3 Times’.

In previous issues of the ‘T3 Times’ we’ve started to look at the information available in the archives related to the 1948 and 1960-1 restoration, alongside discussions on paint colour. I would be more than happy to share these back copies with anyone interested.


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Sorry, that still appears to bar non-facebook people.

 

I am not on faceache and I just scrolled down and you can see the posts.

 

The update on Facebook, also sent to our mailing list says:

Yesterday the 563LG team visited the Flour Mill and we have some exciting photos to share that couldn't wait for our next edition of the T3 Times. They've recently moved their larger machines into a new workshop and now the major elements are all under one roof!

Thanks to the generosity of one of our supporters, the new smokebox was sponsored and positioned in place just this week. As you can see from the photos, it gives 563 its distinctive look again, especially with the splashers being placed back onto the frames again too!

The wheels have also been painted with the top coat of BS225 light brunswick green, the same as the National Railway Museum's M7 No.245. We're both very relieved and happy with the results. We think it looks "as a green like young grass in spring" that hopefully Drummond would have been happy with... Black rims will finish off the wheels before they are reunited with the frames.

Lastly, the lion's share of the project thus far, the inner firebox, is ready for its final fitment into the boiler. As this was the last opportunity for us to see it, we had to see the old and new inner fireboxes placed side by side. This represents a huge milestone for the overhaul so we thank the Flour Mill for their hard work in getting us to this stage and our supporters for your donations and standing orders that have made this possible.

As the overhaul continues to gather pace we are really looking forward to showing you more significant progress. Please share and spread the word, with your help we can see 563 back in 2023...

Hope that helps.

 

Odd. I've no FB account. Some pages sulk occasionally (random, no clue why) and demand a sign in, but normally the blue FB button linking to a public page opens OK.

Edit: Just re-checked link in my OP. Seems ok here. Is your system set to block FB?

 

That may be an effect of my employer's settings. I've just tried on a personal device and can indeed see the photos. Many thanks.

 

Another update from the ol' Facebook:

It’s time for some Tender Loving Care…
We’re delighted to announce that the Swanage Railway Trust has launched a £25,000 appeal to help fund the restoration of the tender belonging to a unique Victorian T3 class locomotive, No.563.

This appeal will support 563’s return to steam for the first time since 1948 when the engine escaped being scrapped so it could celebrate the centenary of London’s Waterloo station. It is hoped to have the locomotive back in steam and hauling trains, for the first time in 75 years, in 2023 for the centenary of the Southern Railway and the 175th anniversary of Waterloo station, the very reason 563 is with us today.

The restoration of the locomotive’s tender is estimated to cost around £50,000 and will be taking place in the Swanage Railway’s Herston engineering works.

The Swanage Railway Trust 563 Locomotive Group chairman Nathan Au said: “The last time that 563 hauled a train was in 1948 so for more than 70 years many thought they would never see the unique T3 locomotive work again. We are working hard to ensure the engine's preservation for future generations to enjoy and the best way to do that is by seeing 563 brought back to life."

With an incredibly rich history to tell – given its Victorian heritage – the T3 is unique because it is the only surviving tender engine designed by renowned locomotive engineer William Adams.

“As the only steam locomotive currently owned by the Swanage Railway Trust, a working T3 gives us the opportunity to show our visitors what the railway was like during the industrial and social development in Dorset at the end of the 19th century. 563 is a direct link to the Swanage Railway's past – right back to the early days of the London and South Western Railway when holiday makers first visited Purbeck by train.”

Donations towards the restoration of the T3 tender can be made by visiting the Swanage Railway Trust website at www.swanagerailwaytrust.org/appeal
To find out more about the work of the 563 Locomotive Group and how you can help visit www.563locomotivegroup.co.uk and the Swanage Railway Trust 563 Locomotive Group Facebook page.

 

Interesting updates and I like the shade of green

 

In the February issue of ‘Trackside’ magazine there is a 7 page article outlining progress with the restoration to date.

It also features some rather lovely archive photos of 563 in various locations in SR and BR days. It’s well worth picking up a copy if you’re interested in reading more about the T3’s return to steam.


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There are indeed some classic colours in BS381C.

 

The 563 Locomotive Group are delighted to feature in the latest Railway Mania podcast, episode 24!

The podcast, at just over an hour in length, gives you the chance to hear first hand about the restoration of the Swanage Railway Trust’s London and South Western Railway T3, No 563.

Three of the team heading up 563’s return to steam for the first time in 75 years are guests on the podcast; Nathan Au, 563LG Chair, Matthew McManus, 563LG Deputy Chair and Will Armston-Sheret, Trustee of the Swanage Railway Trust are interviewed by Corwin Bainbridge.

We’ve been overwhelmed by the initial feedback we’ve already received about the podcast, and it is highly recommended that everyone interested in the project has a listen. Our thanks go to Corwin at Railway Mania for his interest and the additional exposure his excellent podcast will give us!

If you get inspired by 563's survival story, please consider supporting the overhaul and help make history by making a donation or starting a standing order. Further information and details can be found on our website www.563locomotivegroup.co.uk where you can also subscribe to our 'T3 Times' mailing list to get the latest information in our regular newsletters.




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Great clip. Thanks for drawing our attention to it.

Interesting comments about both the 'purely for museum display' mods undertaken during 563's retirement and fascinating to hear about the nature of the firebox repairs undertaken at Eastleigh, to render the loco operable.

When they covered the mods to make life easier for future firemen, my mind turned straight away to Tom's comments about the pretty much opposite issues encountered on Mr. Stroudley's Terriers. Does anyone happen to know when 'ergonomics' first made it into the English language?

Oh boy, is No.563 in steam ever going to be a sight for sore eyes!

 

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Be intreting to see all those who criticsed the NRM for passing it over to Swannage then turn up to ride behind it on its first trains

 

I also enjoyed the above referenced YouTube video.

If Alistair Macleod got the boiler done at Eastleigh within 3 weeks in May 1948, my view would be that the overhaul of of the chassis was also done during this time rather than pre entry to the British Transport Museum at Clapham much later around 1961.