Adams T3 Class 4-4-0 steam locomotive No. 563, which is in the final stages of its restoration and being prepared for operational service, has been taken back to the engineering facility at Herston for some minor additional work.

When 563 arrived at Norden, the locomotive was separated from its tender to make it easier to carry out the work. The need for that became apparent after it was moved at low speed to Swanage last Wednesday. Routine checks of 563 revealed that both coupling rods had started to run warm.

Before any further testing can be carried out, the engineering team will need to carry out precautionary checks and machine the coupling rods’ bushes to ensure their clearance is correct. However, while that work is being done other commissioning work can continue at Herston.

Although this may sound as if it is major problem, in reality, it is not as bad as it sounds as there is no direct access to the workshops by rail for this task. Neither is it a reflection on the Flour Mill workshop as it does have not a length of track long enough to undertake a rotation test and get the wheels moving for long enough.

The team is looking on this as part of the all-important testing process. The locomotive has now moved further than it ever has in the last 75 years, so it is to be expected that before testing and commissioning is completed, there may be unforeseen minor teething problems.

Preparations are still being made to return 563 to traffic in October, and the team do not expect that this will have any effect on its plans, and hope to announce further details in the next few weeks by social media and the Swanage Railway website.

The move to Norden and the extra work will incur extra costs for the 563 Locomotive Group that was not expected. It is therefore looking for support , and would greatly appreciate any contribution however small.

Doncations can be made online via the Swanage Railway Trust‘s website at www.swanagerailwaytrust.org/t3-appeal or the 563 Locomotive Group website www.563locomotivegroup.co.uk