LSWR T3 563

I seem to remember that there was one displayed alongside the loco at York many years ago. I wondered what happened to it.

Peter

 

https://collection.sciencemuseumgro...-pipe-london-south-western-railway-blast-pipe

 

Hamilton-Ellis, writing in the 1950s, says that there was a vortex blast pipe preserved at Eastleigh as a relic, which had been removed from an Adams Jubilee No. 642 in 1937 - quite possibly that is the origin. If so, it is interesting that it wasn't melted down for scrap during the war which was the fate of several other items held by Eastleigh as relics. I believe a surviving Beattie steam-driven donkey pump went that way.

Tom

 

Back in August it was on display in the Warehouse.

 

Just to say 'thank you' to the 563 Group for the invitation to today's event. All most enjoyable - an absolute beauty when seen in the metal. It seems so long ago that I first clapped eyes on her in the Clapham Museum - she looked good then, but now ... ... .
Pat

 

This came up in my YouTube feed, some lovely footage and

 

I was chatting to one of the group on the 7th and the subject of injectors arose. In use on recent trials, crews started wondering as to whether smaller than normal injectors were fitted for the 60psi shuttle to Waterloo in 1948. Now that it's certificated at it's full 175psi pressure they are likely to be removed to check on the cone sizes. This will help it replenish the boiler better.
The firebox is flat but deep and so is unlike most locos on which footplate staff at Swanage have experience. I guess it will prefer a substantial 'saucer' shaped fire although - heaven forbid - a GWR style 'haycock' fire might also be considered. In any event, it will take a reasonable time to prepare a decent bed before entering the day's service - especially if smoking out Swanage is to be avoided.
The current coal stock emanates from Poland, I believe, and appears to be very smoky as videos reveal. However, this should reduce as crews get more experience on the 563 and the use of Polish coal.
Learning on the job continues apace it seems. Shame there isn't a LSWR engineman around to ask pertinent questions.

 

There are plenty of people around who remember firing 488, so might be worth asking there. When I've had conversations, the impression I have got is that it steamed on a candle - so maybe a thin fire is the way to go, not a deep one? As a little anecdote - on the LNWR Coal Tank - another loco of comparable vintage with a flat grate - the visiting support crew suggested firing "diamonds and squares" by which they meant four to the corners; then next round was four to the edges; and keep alternating like that. I did and it worked a dream. Then I read a mid nineteenth century book of footplate experiences and the author talked about firing "in a pattern of diamonds and squares".

Are the injectors struggling to keep up? My experience on old engines (where the injectors tend not to just pick up easily in the way that modern ones do) is that an injector that is too slow is preferable to one that is too fast. If it is slow, you get the boiler full at the foot of a bank, then stick the injector on and you can leave it on, knowing you are gradually losing the race but will get to the top half full or whatever. Whereas with an injector that is too fast, you fiddle about to get it on, which then floods the boiler, knocks the pressure back, so you turn it off; and end up constantly fiddling all the way and also tend to waste more water. One of the big improvements made to Fenchurch on this ticket was to change the fireman's side previously oversized injector to a smaller one better proportioned to the boiler.

Tom

 

Bear in mind that the locomotive is still just being run in and as such there’s a reasonable amount of fettling and adjustment still to be done.

Prior to use at the weekend 563 only had 3 days loaded testing and so crews are still familiarising themselves on what is the smallest locomotive we’ve had as a resident on the line since the withdrawal of the M7 in 2017. The M7 similarly liked a saucer fire, although I understand the fire bars are further apart on an Adam’s’ locomotive, which might make a difference to exact firing style.

 

I think it was only 2 days in the end as it seemed to be receiving rather a lot of attention most of Thursday. Having, due to other conflicts, missed the first two days of loaded runs on Tuesday and Wednesday I kept a close eye on the webcam during the day and during a couple of visits to mt Dad in Gilbert Road.

 

BBC seem to have taken some notice;

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-67078149

Certainly looks well turned out!

 

Featured on BBC Breakfast news this morning.

 

Good to see young Ethan mentioned. He’s also a volunteer with Clan Line, one of the young generation of railway enthusiasts that the heritage rail business will rely on in the future.

 

If you want a ride behind the T3, prices for half term have now dropped to £22.50 for adults and £11.50 for children. You just need to pre book before Friday 20th.

 

That's a relief. Steam trains are costly to run but this seemed OTT. Everywhere needs to have a care

 

On FB 563 is being talked about as it is featured in a. old comedy film, 29mins in, now streamed on ch4
https://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-wrong-box

 

Just seen 563 on the webcam. I see that the other 2 lamp sockets have been fitted, one over each buffer, with the LH* one carrying the 'Special Train' disc. Good to see.
Pat

* as in the direction of travel.

 

Just saw it at Swanage on RailCam: what a wonderful sight

 

Not when you were walking down to have a ride and only got as far as Gilbert Road, partially caused by having to shelter from a very heavy shower, but really due to my incompetence in working out that the loco was in Swanage and not HX when the U departed. Still always tomorrow (maybe).

 

Now that its got a bit of operation under its belt, it will be interesting to find out what crews make of it, how is the best way to fire it, is it responsive, to changes in cut off and regulator, because up to now its very much been an unknown, , even with engines such as the M7,and T 9, which will have similarities they won't be quite the same, The T9, being superheated, will perform differently,