563 Locomotive Group – Preserving the Swanage Railway Trust's unique LSWR T3 class, No.563

Welcome to the 563 Locomotive Group
We've created a living piece of history by steaming this iconic locomotive and preserving it for future generations.

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Discover the history
563 tells an important story about the industrial and social development of the railway in Dorset at the turn of the 19th century.

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Follow our progress and discover how we are achieving the dream of returning 563 to steam.

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In March 2017 the National Railway Museum generously gifted the sole surviving Adams’ designed T3 class, No.563 to the Swanage Railway Trust and ever since day one the exciting ambition has been to return her to steam.

Given our deep-rooted history with the London & South Western Railway, the engine made a welcome return to its spiritual home and the 563 Locomotive Group has been formed to ensure its preservation for future generations but we need your help to do this.

After an extensive strip down and investigation at the Flour Mill workshop in the Forest of Dean, the engine was found to be in a surprisingly good mechanically overhauled condition by Eastleigh Works and although the firebox was life expired, as expected, the boiler barrel is also in an excellent condition with little corrosion inside or out.

No.563 finally returned to steam in 2023 after raising over £650,000 for the overhaul. It can now been seen running on the Swanage Railway where it looks right at home.

The fairy tale story of the T3’s return proved to be one of the most exciting locomotive restorations in that has been undertaken in preservation. A locomotive, which many thought would never steam again was brought back to life on the railway it was built for – Welcome home 563!

563 has been re-wheeled!

On: July 6, 2022

After reuniting the wheels with the frames we now have a rolling chassis and with this hugely significant milestone, the 563LG team now hopes to finish the restoration ahead of the summer season in 2023!

Railway Mania Podcast Ep.24 – LSWR 563 – From the Stage and into Steam (with Will, Nathan and Matt)

On: February 12, 2022

The 563 Locomotive Group are delighted to feature in the latest Railway Mania podcast, episode 24!

It’s time for some Tender Loving Care…

On: December 9, 2021

We’re delighted to announce that the Swanage Railway Trust has launched a £25,000 appeal to help fund the restoration of the tender for 563!

563LG Launches The T3NDER Club!

On: April 7, 2021

The restoration of LSWR T3 No 563 is rapidly moving forward. 563’s boiler could steam this year for the first time in over 70 years and the locomotive could be complete next year. Her tender needs to catch up! Will you help make it possible? Join the T3NDER Club today!

563LG Online Conference – Watch Online

On: April 7, 2021

Don’t worry if you missed it, you can watch the our 563LG presentation at your leisure here!

563LG to host first virtual conference on March 26th!

On: March 20, 2021

On 26th March at 7pm, the Swanage Railway Trust’s 563 Locomotive Group is hosting an online conference about the ongoing restoration of our London & South Western Railway T3 locomotive No.563.

Engineering Update 6

On: March 12, 2021

Work on the overhaul of 563 is hotting up! Premier Patterns & Castings Ltd. and Boro Foundry have recently been heat treating the newly cast girder stays before they can be machined at the Flour Mill….

Project & Engineering Update 5

On: January 8, 2021

Some good news in difficult times – 563 is having it’s all new inner firebox assembled! The very heart of the T3 will be completed in due course along with lots of other exciting developments!

563 Locomotive GroupPreserving the Swanage Railway Trust's unique LSWR T3 Class, No.563

Welcome to the 563 Locomotive Group

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The story so far…

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