T9 ‘Greyhound’ to be overhauled for Swanage at Flour Mill again
FOLLOWING months of speculation, Swanage Railway’s 563 Locomotive Grouphasconfirmeditistooverhaul LSWR T9 ‘Greyhound’ 4-4-0 No. 30120.
As highlighted in issue 312, the group returned 1893-built LSWR T3 4-4-0 No. 563 to working order lastOctobersoitcouldhaula passenger train for the first time since 1945 following a six-year £650,000 project almost completely funded by donations from enthusiasts and the public.
The overhaul of the T9 will similarly be carried out in conjunction with Victorian locomotive restoration experts at Bill Parker’s Flour Mill workshop at Bream, in the Forest of Dean.
Varied career
Built at Nine Elms during 1899, T9 No. 30120 spent its career after the Second World War hauling trains in Devon, Dorset, Hampshire and Surrey, before being withdrawn by BR at Eastleigh in Hampshire during October 1961.
Nicknamed ‘Greyhounds’ for their turn of speed on the main line, T9s operated on the Wareham to Swanage branch line from the 1920s through to the early 1960s – first on passenger trains from London and then later on freight trains to Corfe Castle and Swanage.
Nathan Au, chairman of the 563 Locomotive Group, said: “It is exciting to be embarking on our second ambitious challenge. The overhaul of the T9 is the natural follow-on project to the T3 in providing the Swanage Railway with another affordable locomotive with an impeccable Southern pedigree.
“We are delighted to be able to support the NRM in its mission to ensure that selected steam locomotives from its National Collection are available for the public to enjoy in steam and hauling passenger trains,” added Nathan, a volunteer driver who is also a director of the Swanage Railway’s train operating company.
“The project to overhaul the T9 will start with an assessment of the locomotive to confirm what work is necessary, that the restoration work is viable and that there is the necessary financial support available before a commitment is made to the full overhaul.
“The hoped-for overhaul of
No. 30120 will be shared between the Flour Mill and the Swanage
Railway’s Herston engineering works in Swanage with the Flour Mill doing the boiler and tender and the Swanage Railway doing the chassis of the T9.
Fruitful partnership
“The Flour Mill successfully returned the T9 to steam in 2010 so its skilled staff are already familiar with the locomotive, while its involvement in No. 30120 builds on the successful relationship established with the restoration of the T3.”
The T9 was taken by road from the Swanage Railway to the Flour Mill on April19.
Bill said: “After finishing one LSWR locomotive, T3 No. 563, last year for the 563 Locomotive Group, we are delighted to be involved with the restoration of another Victorian steam locomotive. Funded by the late and much-missed Swanage Railway Trust patron Alan Moore, we overhauled T9 No. 30120 some 15 years ago for the Bodmin & Wenford Railway, so it will be interesting to see what 10 years of hauling trains has done to the T9. No. 30120 is ideal for the Swanage Railway.”
NRM railway partnerships manager Paddy McNulty said: “Following the success of the T3 restoration, we are pleased to be working with the Swanage Railway Trust on its plans for the T9. We look forward to enjoying the splendid sight and sound of both locomotives in steam in the future.
➜ To make a donation to the overhaul appeal, visit 563locomotivegroup. co.uk/project120