This fine view of Old Oak Common's 6012 " King Edward VI " shows it emerging from the eastern portal of Dainton tunnel at the head of a Paddington bound express with the coaches clearly indicating the change in gradient, with the summit itself being within the tunnel.
There's no pilot engine to spoil the view so the load is doubtless within the ten coach limit for the " King " which it will have worked over the South Devon banks from Plymouth, and it's a sharp downhill drop now down to Aller Junction and Newton Abbot.
6012 was one of the fourteen of the class to have new front frames fitted whilst undergoing a Heavy Overhaul at Swindon a few years earlier, but sixteen of the class were not so treated and retained their original frames until withdrawal in 1962.
A Westcountry based engine from newly built in 1928 this one was transferred from Laira up to Old Oak Common in 1954, being condemned from Wolverhampton in September 1962