An impressive shot of Laira's 6017, 'King Edward IV' halted at Taunton at the head of the 8.30.a.m. from Plymouth to Paddington, a regular duty for a "King" in the 'fifties.
Later in its life 6017 was to be the first of Laira's "Kings" to receive a double chimney and in earlier years had seen service from Wolverhampton Stafford Road as well as unusually being allocated to Bristol Bath Road during th War Years. When the Diesels came to the West of England services in the late 'fifties 6017 was transferred to Stafford Road in 1959, being withdrawn from there in 1962, in common with many others of the class.
The Mechanical Lubricator is shown here in its original position, but was later moved ahead of the steam pipe to ease access to the valve gear which remained hand lubricated.