Real-time ride on Swanage Railway LSWR T3 steam loco 563: its first passenger train in 75 years

Back after 75 years, we’ve got you aboard!

One of the most attractive Victorian-era 4-4-0 express locos, LSWR T3 class 563, has been restored to working order, having not steamed for the last 75 years. We were invited to be its VIP first passenger train - so sent roving reporter ​⁠​⁠‪@MrTimDunn‬ (that’s me, writing this “btw”,) to​⁠​⁠‪@SwanageRailwayOfficial‬ to join the first passenger train and to experience the results of ​⁠​⁠‪@swanagerailwaytrust563loco7‬’s hard work.

The reason I’ve been able to make more TV programmes on historical topics is because people give me their time to watch them; and I’m forever grateful of that. So if I’m invited somewhere else to experience something privileged or unique that I think is practical or appropriate to share more widely, I like to try to return the favour by giving others the opportunity to experience it too - and often that’s best done by making a video like this.

But my supposedly simple videos tend to turn into complex edits as I learn various techniques - largely by watching the TV work of my colleagues - so this began as a simple one-iPhone camera idea - but soon became three cameras - and two runs on the same line a few hours apart just so I could give some visual variety. Oh, and then add in a green screen intro.

So big thanks to Steve and Will of ​⁠​⁠‪@swanagerailwaytrust563loco7‬ in particular for letting me experiment with clamps and brackets on the engine on what was already a chock-full day for them.

I’ve compiled this video (literally days of work— who knew?!) with a lot of real-time footage edited together to hopefully match up as a compete run up the line as it happened, under gloriously sunny Purbeck skies.

A lovely day, and a privilege to be there.

You’ll also see at the end a speech from the ever-erudite Anthony Coulls of the ​⁠​⁠‪@NatRailwayMuseum‬ - added because it’s one of the greatest and most heartfelt speeches I’ve ever seen him give.

I also include his speech to draw a line under some if the ill-informed negativity that surrounded the T3’s transfer some time ago. I don’t want to dwell on the transfer of the loco because (a) it is done (b) there’s a positive outcome (c) professional people who are genuinely in possession of more facts and analysis than you or I made a rational decision about an object so anything else is just less-informed conjecture (d) it’s reminded enthusiasts that museum collections are subject to review - sometimes there’s a better place for something in a collection to free up space or tell another story elsewhere and (e) there’s better things in life to occupy your time and mine :) so if you must tell me your opinion on this then you will, I’m sure, but do watch this video first.

Anyway. If you’re like me you’ll take the long-term view, sit back, relax and enjoy a ride aboard a magnificent machine in the beautiful English countryside doing the job it was built for 130 years ago. Thank you all who made it possible. Cheers!