‘T3’ heads for Flour Mill
Initial £50,000 crowdfunding appeal to steam No. 563 in 2021 is launched by swanage Railway.
An estimated £2 million cost to overhaul former National Collection ‘T3’ No. 563 publicised by the Swanage Railway Trust was “a mistake”, according to SR Trustee Matt McManus. An appeal for funds was launched before the LSWR 4‑4‑0, minus its tender, left the ‘Purbeck Line’ on November 13 for the Flour Mill workshops in the Forest of Dean, where the locomotive will be examined during 2018 to determine whether it could return to steam for the first time since 1948 (SR473). Despite not knowing how much it will cost to restore the Adams‑ designed engine, an appeal leaflet circulated to SRT members in the latest edition of Swanage Railway News quoted a figure of £2 million. Mr McManus, who is responsible for the ‘T3’ and spearheaded the fundraising appeal, described that figure as “eye‑watering”. He added: “This is a mistake. Although we know it will be expensive, it won’t be anywhere near that amount. “I don’t know where it came from – it certainly wasn’t from us on the ‘T3’ team.” While the railway was unwilling to estimate what the actual cost of restoring the unique Adams‑ designed locomotive might be, Mr McManus said: “Similar locomotives have returned to steam for around a quarter of that amount. Still expensive, but a lot more realistic.” While the railway does not yet know the true nature of No. 563’s mechanical condition, the railway has stated that it intends to return the locomotive to traffic in 2021. Mr McManus says: “2021 might well be achievable, as long as fundraising stays on track. However, we won’t commit to an overhaul unless we are certain we can fund it through to completion. “The strip‑down is funded and will go ahead. We don’t have a ceiling figure for the overhaul job, but that’s not to say we don’t intend to keep the job on budget when an overhaul starts.” The 1893‑built locomotive will be stored under cover during the winter at Bill Parker’s Flour Mill workshop, with the strip‑down expected to commence in March. “We will then have an outline cost of overhaul, which will enable us to apply for grant funding by late spring; the detailed quote will come later.” To ensure there are some funds in place should the ‘T3’s’ restoration be given the go‑ahead, the railway has launched a £50,000 crowdfunding campaign to raise funds towards the anticipated restoration. At the time of going to press, the appeal had raised £3,021 – about 6% towards the initial £50k target, four weeks after its launch on October 28. The appeal closes on December 23. Mr McManus told Steam Railway on November 15: “Fundraising at this stage is utterly vital. We don’t really want to say how much we have raised so far [in total], but fundraising is in line with expectations at the moment.” “If we end up having to go down a grant application route, or have to apply to grant‑giving trusts, we must show that we are capable of match‑funding our project. If we are seen to be sitting on our hands waiting for grants or handouts, we will be refused. “Our fundraising will also mean that when the time comes to start the overhaul, we’ll have funds in place to keep the ball rolling. We don’t need the whole amount up front, but we need to know where the balance is coming from.” To donate, send cheques made payable to: the T3 Fund, Swanage Railway Trust, Station House, Swanage, BH19 1HB. To find out more about the appeal, visit: www. crowdfunder.co.uk/lswr-t3-no-563return-to-steam-appeal/ (quick link: https://goo.gl/2Up9DX).