NEW COPPER FIREBOX FOR SWANAGE LSWR ‘T3’
New firebox copper plate has been formed for LSWR ‘T3’ No. 563.
South Devon Railway Engineering has pressed the Belpaire-design backplate and throatplates, with the “most complex part”, the wrapper, still to follow.
Swanage Railway Trust,
563 Locomotive Group deputy chairman Matt McManus said that once complete, the plates will be delivered to the Flour Mill, for fitting up. The 4-4-0 has resided in Bream since 2017 the same year that it was given to Swanage by the National Railway Museum.
“The boiler is the largest single part of this project and requires extensive work,” he added.
“We still need to manufacture, machine and fit the foundation ring, girder stays, 800 copper stays (which will be available for sponsorship), manufacture the front tubeplate, replace all mounting studs, fit a new front tubeplate and new smokebox.”
“We have not been affected by the Covid-19 crisis as yet, however, like every project and railway, we will not escape it and expect delay... Our aim
[for completion] remains 2021, however this is moving towards late 2021.”
The group has raised £162,000 towards its ongoing £350,000 restoration appeal, in addition to the £48,000 from earlier fundraising.
Mr McManus stressed: “We are very keen to encourage more monthly subscribers... however, at this time, the focus must be to save the railway and we would encourage traffic to the SOS [coronavirus] appeal
as much as possible.”
See swanagerailwaytrust.org