LSWR T3 Class - 563 light test runs on the Swanage Railway 27/09/2023

It's been over three years since the sound of an LSWR locomotive resonated through the Isle of Purbeck; over 78 years since that resonance came from a T3 Class. Thankfully, that wait has been brought to an end, as 563 performed light test runs along the Swanage Railway, following the completion of its extensive overhaul.
The locomotive arrived back on the railway from the Flour Mill workshop at the end of August, being unloaded at Norden and then towed to Swanage by BR Class 33 - 33111. During this move, it was discovered that both coupling rods were starting to run warm, indicating that the bearings and bushes would require attention. This necessitated a move into Herston Works. Now back on the rails following the mechanical work, testing has got underway to ensure the locomotive is fit for use.
These light test runs follow a thorough mechanical inspection, weighing, and static steaming to assess the locomotive. The light test run, which allows a shakedown of the locomotive for further mechanical assessment, is the next step in the process of returning 563 to passenger service in October. More test running is scheduled, to accumulate mileage and crew experience before the Victorian locomotive returns to public services.
Locomotives:
LSWR T3 Class - 563
Ex-SR 'Battle of Britain' Class - 34070 "Manston"
All footage filmed on Wednesday the 27th of September 2023.

[@Spud607]

I never even realised the T3 was to be in steam this week. She really is an incredible engine.

[@Hard-Boiled-Bollock]

I don't believe in an afterlife, but if there is one.. I'd like to think William Adams is looking down with a smile on his face

[@joshslater2426]

I won’t deny that the T3 and its livery are beyond impressive.

[@andrewhotston983]

A sight to gladden the heart. What an elegant locomotive and a magnificent restoration job.

[@rollsroycemerlin4321]

The height of Victorian elegance. An astonishingly handsome loco.

[@brianbunn3604]

Incredible restoration job. Congratulations to all involved at Swanage Railway, looking forward to travelling behind 563 next month 😊

[@NorthernSoulExpress]

She is an absolutely beautiful loco, I’m very much looking forward to seeing her myself.

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

The camera really doesn't do it justice either. Very much worth the visit.

[@adrianlane4256]

That was incredibly beautiful to watch. The engine is hypnotically sleek and glides through the landscape. It set me thinking a long film of just various engines and tenders running on tracks around the country would make an epic screen saving/wallpaper on a smart tv.

[@AndreiTupolev]

While of course the T3 looks anazing, I must say I love Manston's '1967' condition. She sounds very nice

[@gaugeonesteam]

563 looks great but what is more amazing is that the Swanage branch line got saved at all. I remember in about 1975 walking along the old track bed after the track was lifted and everything was gone. . The key thing was the station buildings and beautiful viaduct at Corfe did not get destroyed by Beeching. Swanage has a kind of magic to it. Small Victorian seaside towns needs a railway. They were going to make the railway into a dual-carriageway road!

[@colinlambert882]

I hate to think what 563 looked like at withdrawal in 1945. It had a charmed existence, as it was withdrawn in 1939, then saved from the torch by the outbreak of war. The other 2 surviving T3s were withdrawn during the war, so they must have become unrepairable. 563 was due for the torch at Eastleigh but was saved to become the LSWR exhibit for the centenary celebrations for Waterloo in 1948.

[@AndrewTheRocketCityRailfan4014]

I love that shade of green so much I can’t stop looking at it

[@Aidenm024]

The shot of the T3 and the T9 in the background at 1:48 is superb!

[@johnjephcote7636]

At 07:44...One thinks of the Newmarket Arch Mystery on the LB&SCR, where little Jimmy Boakes was accused (improbably) of lifting a nearby sleeper and putting it across the rail for a see-saw (and derailing a tender-first engine and train). He was struck by lightning a year after.

[@WarhawkTalon]

Absolutly magical. The spoked wheels of the bogey and tender give an illusion that this engine is more sliding or skating down the tracks rather then rolling over them. 7:28

[@gzk6nk]

Thank you for this. I don't mind admitting I was highly sceptical when NRM gifted this loco to Swanage. I never expected it to be back in steam anytime soon, never mind as quickly as this. Wonderful to see it running, and let's hope other NRM locos that currently have no hope of leaving York and steaming again follow this example of what can be done. Nice to hear 'Manston' was running by with good valve events, too! The T3 is testament to what Swanage can do. Very well done!

[@adrianlane4256]

Museums are really cemeteries. Preservation in action tells the real lives of any mechanical item and is the true story to tell.

[@davefrench3608]

Those adams locomotives are such good looking things.

[@trailwayt9H337]

I am Really enjoyed is the Beautifull views of amazing steam Locomotive. Very Excellent collection with Greate effort. ❤️👍

[@stevenperry7493]

All you can say besides amazing is elegant & beautiful , 😊

[@calvingrondahl1011]

British steam… the most charming machines in the world.

[@djrichylaurence8991]

Haven't been to Swanage in a while. Might pop down there as its only about 50 miles away. 😊

[@ulrichfrank4270]

Simply delightful.

[@Woodentops1]

Dare I say the T3 embodies all that is majestic about steam engine. I cannot wait to get down and see her in action.

[@adriannorris1486]

What a wonderful sight…..something I never imagined in my lifetime. Th last time we saw her was at Waterloo as the star of “The Railway Children”………congratulations to all concerned.

[@colinlambert882]

Given that there was a war going on, someone was incredibly forward-thinking to preserve the very last of this class. The Bulleid Pacific Manston wasn't even built until 2 years after 563 was last in steam!

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

"Manston" built in 1947, 563 last steamed in 1948.

[@gloriousradio]

What an absolute beauty!

[@spats1943]

What a beautiful locomotive, great to see it up and running.

[@alessandroalberto6431]

Meravigliosa creatura !!!

[@keithburrage1424]

She looks totally amazing. Well done all concerned.

[@frglee]

Far better here than being stuck in a museum (NRM Shildon) as a cold lifeless display exhibit.

[@mattlander9119]

Before it went to swanage it was stuck out side Kings Cross under a tarp after being part of the railway children production.

[@mikesanders5433]

Looks absolutely phenomenal ❤️

[@benfrost91]

Glorious to see her in steam

[@ianbond3885]

What an absolutely beautiful engine the T3 is!!

[@howardrisby9621]

Delighted to see the hotspots have been sorted. Mr Adams' masterpiece is SO stunning to look at, that from some angles, where there are no 12":1ft scale personnel to confirm the loco is real, it's almost impossible to believe you're not looking at some pampered gold prize standard 5" or 7¼" gauge model !! Odd to think the combined ages of the crew likely don't add up to the number of years since 563's last gainful employment. 🙂

[@Wally34070]

They fall quite short!

[@pastel_guts8112]

BEAUTIFUL! 🗣️❤️

[@davidbrunger3881]

Looking absolutely fantastic. What a brilliant job!

[@derekdee9592]

Superb bit of history preserved !

[@brproductions248]

7:58 I’m at a loss for words that’s a beautiful shot

[@HughFromAlice]

Great work guys. She looks magnificent :-)

[@westmoorsrailway3511]

… A superb sight. Well Done to all involved with the restoration.

[@dukeofaaghisle7324]

Saw it being test run yesterday while visiting Corfe Castle. Looked and sounded magnificent!

[@iankemp1131]

As ever, first with the breaking news, thank you! Great shots of this exciting occasion. First saw 563 in the NRM at York 40 years ago and thought "what a truly beautiful locomotive" but never dreamed that one day we would see her running again! Sounds like no problem in producing plenty of steam, and looking forward to seeing her running public trains in October and riding on them!

[@TheTrainGeekShow]

Great job!

[@chrisvaughan159]

A glorious restoration, thanks for bringing it to our screens. ow lets wait for the model...........

[@yeojohn]

A thing of beauty. Well done to all involved.

[@sarahbedford3223]

Absolutely beautiful 💖

[@roberthocking9138]

A beautiful piece of steam history, magnificent paint work

[@jrail1992]

That T3 is an exceptionally smart locomotive. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@mickboakes7023]

Beautiful restoration. Well done everybody.

[@glenncook840]

What a beauty. Great video!

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Cheers

[@rupertchappelle5303]

spectacular.

[@LazyOldFusspot_3428]

Nice to see a 4-4-0 back in action

[@Your_Local_Express_Locomotive]

Very beautiful

[@ewhurstgreen]

Magnificent! 👍

[@juleshathaway3894]

A cracking selection of locations and the T3 really does look good. You even managed to get my brother Danny in at Corfe on the first outward. 😊

[@conceyullena]

Beautiful video, greetings from Asturias 🚂👍🔝🔝🔝🔝🎥🔝💨🙋‍♂️

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Thank you

[@waterside13]

Only one word for 563 "Glorious", congratulations to all who worked on the restoration.

[@shivakant8071]

Awesome 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@robertdshannon5155]

Magnificent!

[@7fonshed61]

Imagine the T9 in LSWR livery running with the T3. Now that really would be something special. Such elegance.

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

It would make for a pleasing sight. In an effort to maintain some authenticity, it would have to be LSWR Urie green, as 120 wore in late 1961-63 when working excursions. That said, the Swanage station shop now stock pin badges of the T9 in such a condition.

[@greenturtlgaming2554]

Throw in a D40 and a K2 replica and you’ve got a deal.

[@MannyAntipov]

That engine is a magnificent steamer going down the line. If I plan an outing to Swanage, I'll defo want to catch a ride behind this!

[@Northerner_Transport_Hub]

T9 next, who knows one day we may have the T3 and T9 running on the same weekend

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

If the stars align, with a fair amount of luck, money and manpower, you could maybe add the M7.

[@S.D.L46XX]

A BEAUTY!

[@funker419]

Art in motion

[@andrewhotston983]

Yes. It puts the aesthetics of 21st century trains to shame!

[@MarisYoutube2003]

Oh my god what an amazing looking engine❤️

[@garryferrington811]

What a lovely engine.

[@Popaldinho10]

This loco just looks incredible, I assume everything was in working order and the test runs were a success

[@piers995]

Beautiful. What a pity more pre-grouping liveries are not on display at our geritage railways. I hope she xomes up to the Great Central to visit us at some stage. A very nicely filmed and made video.

[@SmokyMtnSteam]

Wonderful video of a beautiful engine.

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Thank you

[@kristoffermangila]

As Victor Frankenstein once said... "Its ALIIIIIVE!"

[@modelrailwaynoob]

Lovely loco. Well captured

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Cheers

[@oldfart6318]

What a beautiful engine.

[@fenderac3049]

Magnificent, it's worth all the money that has been spent on its restoration to steam and run again.

[@petermcgarrymusicandflying]

Nice

[@SimonTog]

Super video :)

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Cheers

[@Hard-Boiled-Bollock]

When she actually re-enters service, I hope someone can get a footplate video!

[@CymruJedi]

Top tier

[@robertbester]

Very nice video. Glad that I could hear what it sounded like. Only saw it on its first ever run via Railcam which are quiet cameras. Won't be able to see or hear it for real.

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Thank you A shame you won't get down to see it

[@harryturner8701]

A magnificent engine

[@MauserKar98k]

More pre-grouping liveries! Everything doesn't need to be BR black! Lovely loco!

[@vikingsmb]

well done she looks lovely

[@meuriggullidge6395]

Wow

[@ZephyrKnight76]

Could we ever see this locomotive on the mainline or hasn’t she got the legs for that? A beautiful example of Victorian craftsmanship.

[@mostwelcometv7912]

Very nice vedio ji new subscriber

[@DriverClarkson]

Nice to see a pre-grouping loco in pre-grouping livery

[@984francis]

So pretty. Just the thing to pull the train with Rupert and his parents from Nutwood going on holiday.

[@paulshirley6383]

LSWR T3 Class - 563 light test runs on the Swanage Railway TheSoutherne LOVE LOUIS SHELEY

[@Rog250]

Does anyone know why Adams put such long frint platform on these locos (as with his other 4-4-0 designs)? Was it something to do with the inside motion for the cylinders?

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Cylinder clearence with the bogie wheels. If the front axle wasn't as far forward, it would foul the cylinder on almost any curved track.

[@alsmith5604]

Stunning!

[@johnd8892]

I was mistaken in thinking the T3 was one of those "stuffed and mounted" preserved locomotives. So great to see it running. When did it last run?

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Last ran in 1948.

[@johncourtneidge]

Next to Lyme Regis?

[@mickboakes7023]

Remember her when on loan to the Bluebell years ago.. Brilliant restoration. Hope a few other NRM locos find their way south.

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Is it possible you're thinking of the LSWR T9? I don't think the T3 has ventured to the Bluebell.

[@mickboakes7023]

@@TheSouthernerYTChannel You are right of course. They are a bit of a look alike. Wouldn’t it be great if the T9 could have the same treatment and be run together. Love your videos, they always show that you are a countryside person. All the best. Mick.

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

@@mickboakes7023 The T9 is being prepped for an overhaul to begin, having been taken under the umbrella of the T3 locomotive group. Thanks very much for the kind words.

[@colinjames3815]

Would be nice to see 488 alongside her too one day.

[@chompette_]

131 years old!

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Number plate is stamped 1893, so 130.

[@kristoffermangila]

If this locomotive had a soul, the first thing it will ask is what the bloody hell had happened since she last steamed in '48!

[@philiposborne8598]

Not so much a locomotive, more a piece of self propelled art!

[@TheMedionMark]

I'm not entirely sure, but i think this is one of the very few 19th century steam locomotives that's running.

[@Rog250]

There are a few, but not that many; the LNWR coal tank, the ex-LBSCR 'Terriers' on the Bluebell and IoW railways, the '0' class SECR O-6-O on the Bluebell (which also has the still to be returned to service LSWR Adama 4-4-2T and LBSCR 0-6-2T..

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

& W24 Calbourne, also in the Isle of Wight. But, 563 is one of only two 4-4-0's operating at the moment, and is certainly the oldest express passenger locomotive in steam.

[@Rog250]

Oh I forgot the oldest preserved steam loco that is still operating, the Furness 0-4- No 20

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

@@Rog250 And TVR O2 Class - 85 on the KWVR. And some of the locos in Western stables absorbed from small companies. 1340 "Trojan" springs to mind.

[@johnholt890]

I got this wrong I was unimpressed when NRM gave this fine loco away, but what a wonderful achievement by the Swanage Railway she looks incredible.

[@Night_Ferry]

Interesting that the shackles aren't fitted. Is this a precaution whilst testing is done?

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

To be fitted later.

[@spankflaps1365]

Other than Rainhill / Shildon 1975-1980, we haven’t had many bigger Victorian engines in steam. Funny to think, they just drove them on the main line at the time!

[@AndreiTupolev]

I see the T9 is apparently likely to be next then. That's good to hear.

[@iankemp1131]

Intrigued that it seemed to be sitting in the shed at Swanage (as it has done for some time) but apparently minus its chimney. Maybe taken off in preparation for a road journey away for future overhaul, hopefully?

[@AndreiTupolev]

@@iankemp1131 yes, it's been out of action for a little while

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

All except officially announced. The group looking after the T3 are taking on the T9 once the T3 is in service. Initial prep work has been done on the T9 to allow the overhaul to start promptly.

[@steamtothewest-trecanrail]

How much Holiday days do you have!!😂 Great video 👍 Amazing locomotive

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Honestly, not enough 😂 Thanks very much!

[@steamtothewest-trecanrail]

😂😂@@TheSouthernerYTChannel