My records show that Laira shed's 6017 " King Edward IV " was returned back home on the 18th. of June, 1957, just two days after the date of this image and following a Heavy Intermediate overhaul here at Swindon Works which had begun in the late April.
The first of Laira's " Kings " to appear with the original design of sheet steel fabricated double chimney some years earlier, 6017 here has the more pleasing and later cast iron design which replaced the earlier pattern from November 1956, resplendent with its copper top banding.
This image shows 6017 in the form in which it performed during its final years in service, complete with the new style of outside steam pipes, the mechanical lubricator now placed ahead of the steam pipe on this side, together with the modified covers to the inside valve spindles, and raised treadplate on the inside valve chest cover and the larger superheater header cover on the boiler.
" King Edward IV " remained at Laira until a transfer to Wolverhampton Stafford Road in early 1959 was brought about by the introduction of Diesel Motive Power on the West of England main line and the consequent reduction in work available for Laira 's allocation of " Kings ", the engine subsequently being withdrawn in July 1962 for disposal by Cox and Danks at Langley Green the following April.