A very fine picture of 6009, " King Charles II " on the Paddington bound " Mayflower " which it has worked from Plymouth, departing there at 8.30am.
The sun is in the right direction for the cameraman, the engine has been turned out well by the cleaners at Laira and it has steam to spare which adds to the scene.
6009 was the only member of the thirty strong " King " class to remain at just one depot, namely Old Oak Common, for its entire working life from 1928 until withdrawal in 1962. "King Charles II " was one of the fourteen of its class to have the new front frames and replacement inside cylinder block, fitted during its lengthy five months Heavy Overhaul whilst at Swindon Works from January to May 1956, the strengthened lifting holes and modifiied valve chest top and valve spindle covers being evident in ths fine picture.