‘T3’ RESTORATION ‘SHOULD BE A FORMALITY’ SAYS SWANAGE TRUST
A decision on whether LSWR ‘T3’ No. 563 can return to steam “should be a formality” says Swanage Railway Trust Trustee Matt McManus.
This comes after the SRT team looking after the former National Collection 4-4-0 visited the Flour Mill workshops – to where the Adams-designed engine was despatched in November 2017 – in the Forest of Dean, for an update on its progress.
In a statement, the ‘T3’ team said: “The 563 team and the Flour Mill now feel that the engine is restorable and we will work with the owner, the SRT, to formulate plans going forward into 2019.
“Any overhaul will be subject to the trust’s consent and be subject to successful fund-raising, so its return to steam isn’t a foregone conclusion at this stage, however we are optimistic.”
Commenting further, Mr McManus told Steam Railway: “The SRT met for the final time for 2018 so I don’t expect an answer until January or February. They have stated in the past that they wish to see it in steam, so it should be a formality.”
If the trust gives the go-ahead for the ‘T3’s’ restoration, it will not return to steam in 2021, as originally expected (SR474). Mr McManus says: “The 2021 aim has now passed and the engine will be ready when it’s ready. We have no desire to rush this engine into traffic. Our aim is for a quality, reliable locomotive and although we don’t want the overhaul to go on forever, we most certainly don’t want to do a ‘quick job’.”
The patched-up and life-expired inner firebox from No. 563 has been removed at the Flour Mill workshops, for eventual display on the ‘Purbeck Line’.
Mr McManus says: “This way has been very difficult but we now have an extracted main line locomotive inner firebox in one piece. It’s probably unique in preservation as a result.
“We will be displaying it on the railway in due course, and while no plans are currently on the table, we will make sure it happens. We have made an awful lot of effort to get it out in one piece and fully intend to share it.
“Under no circumstances would we attempt to re-fit the inner ’box. It would be a waste of effort.”
A cost estimate and fund-raising appeal is still being formulated, while the axles have passed a UAT examination.