LSWR T3 563

Well Swanage seem to have more pre-BR carriage stock which it would look really nice with, MHR only have a pair of Bulleid coaches.

 

I fail to see how any Railway could appreciate it more than the Swanage Railway. They haven’t exactly just stored it away in a siding have they? There was an immediate fanfare of publicity and a push to restore the locomotive to working order. This has been achieved in a relatively short timescale, and an event to celebrate its launch into arrive is being planned. It will become the railways flagship locomotive, the only locomotive they own, and immediately start earning funds towards its next overhaul.

Had it gone to the Bluebell, it would probably still be on static display at Sheffield Park awaiting a potential place in the overhaul queue.

But anyway it’s all in the past, and the consensus on here is that the NRM made the right decision in giving it to Swanage.

Any news on completion of the tender, and when 563 will be making the journey back to Swanage?

 

I think WRH was thinking more in terms of a gala visit than as a permanent resident.

Also, I think all this talk about 'which ex SR railway would be best for the T3 to visit and which will like it more' is unnecessary and people are getting needlessly opinionated about it. I doubt any of those railways would say 'no' if the opportunity arose for the T3 to swing by (except probably the IoWSR) and we can all choose which one we'd rather go to based on things like proximity to us, the rolling stock it would be paired with, pre-grouping owner of the line etc. But just because one person would rather see the T3 at Ropley, that doesn't mean it's more appropriate for the T3 to be there than at Sheffield Park, or that the person who would like to see it at Tunbridge Wells is wrong to want that.

So, can we please drop it and get back to congratulating the Swanage Railway and T3 group on a job very well (nearly) done? Ta

 

WRH /only/ thinks in galas. I have little doubt it'll be a popular performer wherever it goes.

The Facebook page says its coming on. They were machining the axlebox white metal so it can't be that far away on that front.

 

Most of the time Yes, not this time though.
IF say you wanted it for a War Weekend or a Beer Festival, events along those lines.
Like Spa Valley does.

But yes, many congratulations to Swanage for restoring another wondeful engine back to life, may it prosper and the railway too.

 

Be nice if it went to Llangollen for a gala, their volunteers deserve something after all they've been through.

 

Best thing to do is wait from them to get some mainline locos active before the T3's visit.
Another Along South Western Lines event maybe?

 

The photo of 563 was taken today in Salisbury Museum who have the photo archive of the local paper the Salisbury Journal and currently an exhibition covering 1950-80. This popped up on an ipad display hence the rather poor photo, but I thought it may of interest. Presumably in Salisbury Staion 1950's. No other details available. Henry Wills photographer.

 

Much earlier than that I’d suggest - the loco is painted in LSWR livery and in any case had been withdrawn after 1948. The lack of piston tail rods and LSWR livery would suggest to me an early twentieth century date.

See below.

Tom

 

The museum told us they were short of details from the paper. I was looking at the bowser on the platform, what date were they used I wonder?

 

The adaptor lamp irons say post 1928 for starters. My guess would be 1948 to 1959, i.e. before the Eastleigh visit prior to going to Clapham at which time the 1892 era smokebox lamp socket was added (and, I think, the adaptors removed).
Pat

 

There is an almost identical picture, taken by Ivo Peters, in his Southern Steam Album and it dates from 1958. The proof that it is a post-withdrawal picture is the clerestory coach behind the loco, which is apparently an ex- Midland & Glasgow & South Western joint stock 12-wheeled dining car. I doubt if 563 would have found itself coupled up to one of these vehicles in its L&SWR or SR days!

 

I was wondering about the carriage - I'd wondered about Midland Railway - it's not LSWR, in any case, they didn't have any 12 wheelers AFAIK.

There's also some kind of road vehicle on the platform which I think can't be early. So guess it is 1950s after all!

Tom

 

The photo definitely does not date to LSWR days. Look closely in the background, and there is some sort of luggage/rubbish cart. It has a 3 letter, 3 number registration number. This format of vehicle registration wasn’t used until 1934. Seeing as 563 didn’t return to LSWR livery until 1948, the photo must be 1948 or later.

John Petley’s explanation of the coach and date of 1958 sounds probable.

 

Might be wrong, but, AFAIK, none of the three Southern constituents had clerestory coaches. I know the Midland, NER, GCR and GWR had them, not sure who else did.

On the road vehicle, which looks like some sort of sweeper/water tank truck, it's registration appears to be NGX 22? can't see the last digit. NGX was a London registration mark issued in 1952, tends to support the photo taken in the 50s

 

The photo is fuzzy, but it does look as if the carriage end-panels continue up into the clerestory - which suggests Midland or Midland-influenced carriage design.

There were a few clerestory vehicles on the Southern lines, including Pullmans and other "specials" such as the LBSC royal train. The LSWR had a small number of clerestory dining cars. Attached pic from Mr Jenkinson's book.

 

Photo looks to be from the Salisbury open day, or around then, there’s a similar photo of 563 taken by Ivo Peters in NRM archive. Will dig out exact date etc.


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Already mentioned by John Petley up thread.

 

For those that do Facebook, there are now some photos on the 563 site of the virtually completed tender, complete with full LSWR lettering.