563 Locomotive Group - History in the Making

‘History in the Making’ is the second fundraising video in our multipart series for the 563 Locomotive Group.
In this episode Nathan is at the Flour Mill to show you where 563 is being overhauled and speaks with the workshop’s owner, Bill Parker and 563LG Deputy Chair, Matt McManus to find out about the story thus far…
There's less than £175,000 to go but the pressure is on if we want to see the overhaul completed next year. We're now on the final stretch and we need more of your generous donations to help us get there. If you're a like minded individual that shares our passion and can support us to help make history, visit www.563locomotivegroup.co.uk

[@cr10001]

To my mind, William Adams' 4-4-0's were the most elegant and swift-looking locomotives of the 19th century, bar none. The long bogie wheelbase, the sweep of the frames ahead of the smokebox, and the austere lines of the Adams taper chimney all contributed to its looks. I don't think another such elegant locomotive came along until the days of Gresley. I was lucky enough to discover 563 on a fleeting visit to the south coast in 2017, in a siding at Corfe Castle, and was allowed to walk all round it. Just fortunate timing. I hope to make it to see her in steam some day.

[@Beatlefan67]

Well done everyone. Nathan I saw you on the reg at the SR gala (great show btw, what a joy to go up part of the line I hadn't been on since the mid-60's!) sorry I didn't have a chance to say hello! Keep up the good work.

[@COVENTRYBRIAN]

Another excellent, highly professional video

[@brproductions248]

I’m gonna go see it when it’s done, I can’t wait

[@westmoorish]

I am excited

[@coasttocoastcaravanning6138]

Always great to see an old engine getting a helping hand ✋ 👍

[@timsully8958]

Great to see some more progress. This will surely be one of the greatest achievements (among the many) by the Swanage Railway! I can’t wait to see her in steam! 😎

[@westmoorish]

I will do it tomorrow morning

[@axelthebrit992]

keep it going lads your doing great!!! -Axel

[@westhavengwr4613]

Excellent video. Well done Nathan, Matt and the rest of the team.

[@gs425]

Thank you Nathan, that was a spot on presentation.

[@suzcant3320]

563 should be able to venture out to the main line!

[@RB-hx7rd]

Great work chaps..

[@newobanproductions999]

She's coming closer and boy, 2023 is going to be a big year for UK railway preservation: -Three iconic locomotives celebrate their birthdays (563's 130th, City of Truro's 120th and, of course, Flying Scotsman's 100th) (I might add this one because I'm Australian but it'll also be 3801's 80th so, four icons are sharing their birthdays next year) -The centenary of the Grouping Act which created the famous "Big Four". -60 years since the Beeching Axe was published Those are the ones I can name.

[@brianbunn3604]

What an excellent presentation, information and photos. Well done.

[@mattflaneur407]

Great to see the excellent progress on this wonderful project. One observation: are you able to add a direct link to a fundraising/donation page from the video? If so, this would streamline the route for potentially more spontaneous donations.

[@brproductions248]

Nathan do you remember me, you let me on the footplate on Manstone on the 3.7.23

[@vectorbrony3473]

Still surprises me that none of the main models train companies have not considered making a ready to run model of the LSWR t3 563 and her sister engines for its return to steam.

[@eliotreader8220]

Heritage railways are having trouble right now with coal supply issues when the engine enters service again after many years on static display will she be all right with the fuel that she is given?

[@cr10001]

Well the boiler and firebox have been completely rebuilt so she should cope with the fuel available approximately as well as any other preserved loco of her era.

[@topgear3487]

Dontay was 563's name.

[@steamstock-lx1pi]

what