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Taken 24-Jun-15
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5 of 33 photos
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Category:Transportation
Subcategory:Railway
Subcategory Detail:
Keywords:BW, GWR, King, Plymouth, South West, Steam
Photo Info

Dimensions3335 x 2055
Original file size2.31 MB
Image typeJPEG
Color spaceUncalibrated
Date modified24-Jun-15 19:53
6003 1950s Laira

6003 1950s Laira

Old Oak Common's 6003 heads the queue on Laira shed's coaling line in this 1956 picture after having worked an express down to Plymouth from Paddington.
A member of the shed staff is removing the Reporting Number in its frame to gain access to the smokebox and clear the accumulated build up of ash with the steam lance seen leaning against the wall which will be attached to the valve visible on the side of 6003's smokebox front. 6003's tender is being filled from above and it will doubtless soon be readied for the return run back home to London.
On 30th April 1954 6003 was used on a test run from Paddington to Bristol and back in order to evaluate the practicalities of the proposed accelerated 'Bristolian' service to begin on 14th June 1954 and achieved a maximum speed of over 90mph on both the outward and return runs.
6003 was one of seven of the class transferred from Old Oak Common to Cardiff Canton in September 1960 as appropriate express passenger work on the Wolverhampton, Bristol and Plymouth main lines went over to diesel haulag. The transfer was made in an effort to find them suitable alternative work especially on the tightly timed expresses between Paddington and Cardiff.
Whilst four of the seven had undergone Heavy Overhauls at Swindon during 1960, three had not, with 6003 not having been through the Works since December of the previous year. The reliability of Canton's newly acquired 'Kings' therefore fell short of what was required for these Top Link duties.
In the event, the transfer was short-lived, with 6004 and 6024 the last two to remain at Canton, both being withdrawn from service in July 1962.
There's a nice mixture of locomotives all waiting their turn on Laira's coaling line in my photograph, including a Standard Class 4 together with a 'Hall', a Pannier Tank and class "4500" all visible. Three Standard Class 4s, Nos.75025, 75026 and 75028, had gone newly built to Laira early in 1956 and were initially evaluated as to their suitability for piloting duties between Plymouth and Newton Abbot. When these duties reduced when the diesel-hydraulics arrived in the late 'fifties they were sent to Machynlleth and Oswestry to work over the Cambrian system, later ending their days allocated to Tebay and rostered on banking duties over Shap Fell.