SWANAGE RAILWAY ‘T3’ 4-4-0 RESTORATION CONTINUES FOLLOWING COVID SLOW-DOWN
WORK on the restoration of the Swanage Railway Trust’s LSWR ‘T3’ 4-4-0 No. 563 is underway again at the Flour Mill, after being temporarily ‘slowed’ during the peak of the coronavirus pandemic.
Prior to the first lockdown in March last year, the trust authorised the purchase of the copper for the new firebox and its manufacture by the South Devon Railway.
The 563 Locomotive Group, which is overseeing the project, had also decided to renew the four firebox girder stays, as this would help reduce the need for major firebox repairs in the future.
The firebox, which represents the largest expenditure of the boiler overhaul, has now been fabricated and was being fitted in late January.
Angle ring
Work on the boiler itself has focused on removing the angle ring, which secures the front tubeplate in place. This has been deemed beyond repair and a replacement ordered from South Africa. This has been paid for by a supporter of the project. The barrel itself is in good condition and as ‘T3’ is not superheated. The group expects that ressembly of the boiler, of a relatively simple design, will be straight forward.
The bottom-end of the loco is also generally in good condition, many components having been overhauled at Eastleigh prior to preservation.
The axleboxes will need attention to make them fit for future use, and the Flour Mill has taken the opportunity to polish the wheelset journals and strip the bogie down for overhaul.
The tender, meanwhile, is to be overhauled by the 563 Locomotive Group at the Swanage Railway’s Herston Works.
However, plans for this have not yet been finalised as progress is dependent on space being available within works.
The tender’s cast-iron brake rigging, which does not meet current standards for operational use, will be replaced as part of the overhaul, but the group says the rest will be “relatively straightforward”, mainly renewing some platework, tyre profiling and axlebox repairs.
New funds
As with most projects of this nature, further progress is dependent on the Swanage Railway Trust’s ability to raise funds. To date more than £240,000 has been raised, but a similar sum is required to complete the restoration. Visit www.563locomotivegroup. co.uk for more information.