It looks as though the cabside medallions have been removed in this view, and this picture is probably either just prior to, or just after 6000 had been withdrawn from service.
The bell, nameplates and all numberplates are still in position and there is a tender full of coal.
Following withdrawal 6000 was left in the open at Swindon Works for some while with just the smokebox door numberplate left in position, everything else having been removed for safekeeping, presumably at Swindon, before the engine went into store in the Works Stock Shed whilst its future was decided, from where it was later rescued for restoration at Newport and a subsequent return to steam.
A very nice picture taken at an interesting time in the history of 6000
Following withdrawal in 1962 and a spell exposed to the elements in the open at Swindon Works 6000 was left in Swindon's " Stock Shed " as we see here for some length of time whilst its future was decided.
Eventually, on the 9th. of August, 1968 some two thousand enthusiasts gathered at Swindon to haul 6000 from where it had languished out into the open by means of a piece of track hastily laid by T.W.Ward & Son as British Rail had earlier removed their trackwork into the Stock Shed thereby effectively marooning 6000 therein.
Its future now in the hands of the late Peter Prior at Bulmers to whom Swindon Corporation had, with the consent of the National Railway Museum, sub leased the engine 6000 was moved to Bulmers at Hereford on 30th. October, 1968.
Following overhaul at A.R.Adams site at Newport 6000 embarked on a test run from Hereford to Newport and back on the 15th. September, 1971 before its famous series of runs from the 2nd. to the 9th. of October, 1971 to Tyseley and back, thereby breaking the " Main Line Ban " on steam