LSWR T3 Class - 563 | Supporters Launch Day - Swanage Railway 07/10/2023

After 6 years of significant planning, hard work, dedication, and determination, LSWR T3 Class - 563 has returned to traffic on the Swanage Railway. The occasion would be marked with an official launch day of the locomotive, with invited guests, supporters of the Trust, and volunteers being given the chance to take a trip behind 563; and therefore becoming the first passengers to be hauled by the locomotive in over 78 years.

The locomotive was previously owned by the National Railway Museum, and became the subject of a series of negotiations with the Swanage Railway in the mid-2010’s. This eventually led to 563 being deaccessioned from the NRM in 2017, with ownership being fully and formally transferred to the Trust on the 30th of March 2017, and 563 arriving on the railway on the 12th of April. In the November, 563 was transferred to the Flour Mill workshop in the Forest of Dean for a feasibility assessment, to explore the idea of overhauling 563 back into steam. It was during this assessment that it was discovered that the mechanicals of the chassis were in far better condition than anticipated, showing little to no signs of use. However, the boiler would require a completely new inner firebox. The project was given the go ahead by the Trust, in conjunction with an aggressive fundraising campaign to raise funds for the work that lay ahead. 6 years later, and the Trust can finally enjoy the fruits of their efforts, with 563 in steam once more.

During the first hours of sunlight, 563 was being prepared for the day while on shed, with oiling and last minute cleaning taking place. U Class - 31806 also had a role to play, as it provided motive power for a feeder service, taking passengers to Swanage in time for the following ceremony, and services with 563. Once the T3 had backed itself into platform 2 at Swanage, the ceremony would begin with speeches from the following: Nathan Au - Chairman of the 563 Locomotive Group, Gavin Johns - Swanage Railway Trust Chairman, Lord Lieutenant of Dorset Angus Campbell, Anthony Coulls - Senior Curator of the National Railway Museum, and Sir Philip Williams - President of the 563 Locomotive Group. Sir Philip Williams would also be given the honour of cutting the ribbon on the cab of 563, officially launching the locomotive into service. After the formalities, 563 would complete two return trips over the Swanage branch between Swanage and Norden, ferrying the invited congregagtion through the Isle of Purbeck, before retiring back onto shed at the end of the momentous day.

The locomotive stands as testament to the continued hard work and dedication demonstrated by the Swanage Railway Trust 563 Locomotive Group, and all those involved in bringing the Victorian icon back to steam.

Locomotives:
LSWR T3 Class - 563
Ex-SR U Class - 31806

00:00 563 on shed
01:51 31806 Swanage
04:00 563 arrives into Swanage station
06:04 Speech - Nathan Au
08:55 Speech - Gavin Johns
10:30 Speech - Lord Lieutenant of Dorset Angus Campbell
12:48 Speech - Anthony Coulls
17:12 Speech - Sir Philip Williams
21:53 Cutting the ribbon
24:06 563 departs Swanage
26:10 563 Townsend Bridge
27:13 563 Norden Common
29:13 563 back on shed

Footnote: This video was made with thanks to the Swanage Railway Trust and the 563 Locomotive group, as well as Southern Steam Lad Photography, without whom this video would not have been possible. All clips taken from a position of safety while under supervision, in the company of a qualified PTS holder.

All footage filmed on Saturday the 7th of October 2023.