6004 1956-04-22 Laira
On 22nd April, 1956 6004 is taking water and being readied to leave Laira shed to proceed as light engine to North Road station to work its train forward to Paddington.
6004 came to Laira in March, 1954 from Stafford Road shed at Wolverhampton in exchange for our 6014 which was used, following overhaul at Swindon, on water softening tests on the Wolverhampton expresses.
6004 bears a partially rubbed out "605" on the smokebox door indicating that it has recently worked the 8.30.a.m. from Plympouth to Paddington. Old Oak Common's 70018 looks as though it has been "stopped" here at Laira with a fault