The 563 Locomotive Group has released an update on the work taking place to overhaul steam locomotive No. 563.

The income for the group is starting to come and a steady stream of income is coming for the group. If the group had all of the money, the completion date for the locomotive would be spring 2021, however, if the income doesn’t pick up, the completion date could be pushed back until late 2022.

Over the last few months, astonishing progress has been made. The Flour Mill team have been progressing really well, and in September, the 563 Locomotive Group went to see the progress.

The locomotive is now completely stripped and painted in undercoat.

Recent work taking place on the locomotive:

• Boiler outer firebox – Both sides of old steel three-quarter sides have been cut off and new steel has been fitted and tack welded into position. One side has already been sponsored!
• All copper for the new inner copper firebox is now delivered, all £30,000 worth. Bought and paid for thanks to the group’s supporters and the Swanage Railway Trust.
• Wheelsets have been shot blasted, NDT tested and now in undercoat.
• 563’s frames have been shot blasted, painted and running boards repaired around the buffer beam.
• All parts have now been cleaned, painted and stored ready for refitting.
• The locomotive’s splashers and cab have also been repaired and slightly modified to allow easier extraction of the boiler in future.
• Steam brake assembly has been cleaned, measured and is now painted.
• Wheel splashers repaired and painted in undercoat.

However, there has been a few things come up that the group was not expecting which will mean additional costs.

The major thing is that a crack in the outer back head has been discovered. The group are in discussions with the boiler inspector and currently think it will be repairable.

Additionally, the firebox has some complex stay arrangements with large girder stays, all of which the group had hoped to reuse, however, they are now all deemed scrap. This is a major cost and one that now must be added to the project.

By the time the boiler is complete, the group expects the following work to have been completed.

• Brand new inner copper firebox.
• All-new side stays, girder stays, longitudinal stays and crown stay.
• New three quarter steel sides on the outer firebox.
• New Front Tube plate.
• Re-bushed throatplate.
• New tubes
• New smokebox
• Repaired back head
• New foundation ring.

Additionally, on the locomotive chassis, a horn stay is also cracked and will need replacing.

The tender is on the to-do list. The group have had a quote and have decided to strip the tended at the railway using volunteers – saving thousands of pounds. It is still, however, expected to cost £50,000 to have the tender completed.

The group have announced that the project is largely now de-risked. They know what needs doing and how much it is going to cost and are cracking on with the work.

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