T3 No. 563 made its first movements under its own steam yesterday at The Flour Mill workshops.
The movements followed on from a successful steam test at The Flour Mill with Nathan Au, Matt McManus and Nick Lloyd from the 563 Locomotive Group attending the test alongside the Swanage Railway's Locomotive Superintendent, Graham Froud, and Swanage Railway Trust chairman, Gavin Johns.
563's successful test, where the boiler was signed off for 175 psi, means the locomotive is now one step closer to returning to working order
Following the test run, the locomotive made its first small steps running under its own power (minus its tender).
There is just £8,000 left to raise to complete the overhaul of 563, and you can find out more information on the final piece of fundraising on our previous article.
Additionally, the Trust are looking to raise £500 to purchase a set of fire irons for the loco. These are essential for running 563 on a daily basis as they allow crews to dig out the old fire from the previous day.
You can see a video of the first movements by 563 below:
Will it be running on the Swanage Railway or somewhere else?
Well done Swanage Railway and Flour Mill. Absolutely fantastic sight!!
What a wonderful sight! And just up road from me here in Monmouth.
Magnificent! South Western elegance at its best.