Drummond M7 30053 in regular service

LSWR M7 0-4-4 tank No. 30053 stands at Norden with a rake of 4 empty coaches during proving runs on the Swanage Railway on 4th July 2007

Our Drummond M7 30053 pages are broken down as follows:

  Drummond M7 30053 introduction

  Drummond M7 30053 in regular service

  Drummond M7 30053 Restoration

  Drummond M7 30053 on the Swanage Railway

  Drummond M7 30053 Gallery

Please select from the above links to view more information.

Drummond M7 30053 was designed by Dugald Drummond in 1897 and built at Nine Elms for the LSWR in December 1905.

M7 30053 was based at Bournemouth for a few months in early 1964 and worked the Swanage branch along with the 'Old Road' from Poole to Brockenhurst via Broadstone, Wimborne, West Moors and Ringwood. It was withdrawn from regular traffic with the last few remaining M7s at Bournemouth in mid-May 1964.

M7 0-4-4T No. 30053 awaiting restoration at Eastleigh in April 1965 before its export to the USA.
Photo courtesy Roy's Rail Page.

The loco was then cosmetically restored at Eastleigh before being 'exported' to a private museum in Bellows Falls, Vermont, USA.

Both 30926 Repton (now on NYMR) and 30053 ended up there in 1967. Following the untimely death of the museum owner, Steamtown in Scranton was created in 1986 and all locos from his Bellows Falls collection were to be sent to Scranton.

However, the two British engines weren't wanted, so two groups were formed to repatriate the two engines, # with repatriation following in 1987 via Felixstowe docks.

M7 30053 returned to the Swanage Railway by road in April 1987 before being restored during the late 1980s and early 1990s - returning to Swanage as a fully working steam locomotive in 1992.

M7 30053 underwent heavy overhaul in 2007, including a new cab floor and storage lockers and a set of new tyres.

Key Facts

• Company: LSWR, Nine Elms
• Class: M7
• Built: 1905
• Gauge: 4ft 8.5in
• Wheel Arrangement: 0-4-4T
• Date Preserved: 1967