Swanage Railway is bringing locomotive 563 back into operation after seventy-five years.
The restored Victorian T3 loco will haul passengers through Dorset’s Purbeck countryside and past Corfe Castle on Sunday 8 October, and then every day from Saturday 21 to Sunday 29 October inclusive.
The return journey runs from Swanage station only, and can not be boarded at any other station. It will last one hour. Tickets are available here.
563 was designed by William Adams for the London and South Western Railway, and built in London during 1893. After been retired from service, it was due to be scrapped in 1948, but took part in London Waterloo station’s centenary celebrations and was then preserved.
The National Railway Museum donated the locomotive to the Swanage Railway Trust, which then spent six years and £650,000, supported by public fundraising, restoring it to working order.
The work took place at Flour Mill workshops in the Forest of Dean and at Swanage Railway’s Herston engineering works. 563 arrived at Swanage in late August for testing prior to its return to service..
No. 563’s return to passenger service coincides with the centenary of the Southern Railway and the 185th anniversary of the formation of the London and South Western Railway.
Responses
My Father in Law Steve Dyers a driver there! Well done all involved keep up the good work!
Mat be having a career break is the answer! If I look that good at 130 I’ll be pleased! Well done to all involved. Looking forward to visiting.