Jim Carter took this picture in the Ranelagh Road yard, immediately outside Paddington station, where engines on the shorter runs into Paddington were turned, watered and prepared for their return run without having to go to Old Oak Common. 6026 King John is being watered and given a "once over" in readiness for its return to Wolverhampton just a few days before withdrawal.
A long standing Laira engine in years past 6026 was moved from its former West Country home to Old Oak Common in November 1959 as diesels took over the express workings between Plymouth and Paddington. The remaining Kings were subsequently deployed mainly on the Birmingham and Wolverhampton trains.