AN appeal to raise £25,000 has been launched to help fund the restoration of a historic locomotive.
It is hoped that restoration efforts on the unique Victorian T3 class train will assist its return to steam for the first time since 1948.
After the 1893-built London and South Western Railway train was gifted to the Swanage Railway Trust by the National Railway Museum in 2017, work on its £500,000 restoration began.
Costing £50,000, the restoration of the locomotive’s tender – which stores 3,300 gallons of water and three tonnes of coal for the engine – will be taking place in the Swanage Railway’s Herston engineering works, on the outskirts of Swanage.
The plan is for the 81-tonne locomotive to be ready in 2023 for the centenary of the Southern Railway and the 185th anniversary of the formation of the London and South Western Railway.
Swanage Railway Trust’s locomotive group chairman, Nathan Au, said: “The last time that No. 563 steamed and hauled a train was in 1948 so for more than 70 years many thought they would never see a unique T3 locomotive work again.
“We are working hard to ensure the engine's preservation for future generations to enjoy and the best way to do that is by seeing No. 563 brought back to life.
Fund-raising chairman Randy Coldham added: “The Swanage Railway Trust is initiating this winter appeal to raise £25,000 towards the cost of the restoration of the T3 tender at our Herston engineering works.
“As always, we'd like to thank our supporters for their generous standing orders and donations that have helped us achieve a significant number of milestones on the railway in a relatively short amount of time.
“While the work on the tender at Herston is of importance, so is the continued and expert work on the restoration and overhaul of the locomotive at the Flour Mill engineering works in Gloucestershire.
“If their continued support – as well as interest and contributions from new supporters – continues then the T3 could be back in steam and hauling a train during 2023 which is very exciting.”
Visit swanagerailwaytrust.org/appeal for donation information.
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