A major step forward in the overhaul of Adams T3 Class 4-4-0 No. 563 was passed when, after slumbering for 75 years, since 1948, its boiler was once again steamed and pressure raised to 175 pounds per square inch (psi) and a new lease of life awaits.

The boiler has been refurbished at the Flour Mill workshop in the Forest of Dean. The live steam test came just a few days after the Group’s Locomotive Superintendent and the boiler inspector witnessed the boiler being filled with water and pressurised to check its integrity.

Although the boiler steam test is a significant step in overhauling 563, there is still much more to do, both at the Flour Mill where the engine will be reassembled whilst the tender is being reassembled at the 563 Locomotive Group‘s own engineering Works at Herston on the Swanage Railway.

The 563 Locomotive Group now has less than £50,000 to raise to complete the locomotive’s restoration, of which the boiler has taken the lion’s share. The Group recognises that this is a truly amazing achievement, and is well and truly on the home straight with hopefully only a few hurdles left.

To help the 563 Locomotive Group finish the overhaul of 563 they would welcome donations, either online on the Swanage Railway Trust’s website at www.swanagerailwaytrust.org/t3-appeal, the Group’s website www.563locomotivegroup.co.uk, or by cheque payable to the Swanage Railway Trust, and endorsed with ‘563 Locomotive Group’ on the back, and sent to 563 Locomotive Group, Swanage Railway Trust, Station House, Swanage, DORSET, BH19 1HB.

563 was the last Adams T3 Class 4-4-0 in operational service, and was withdrawn in August 1945 and earmarked for preservation. More recently, 563 has been seen in Toronto, Canada and at King’s Cross in London in productions of The Railway Children.