The track curvature, signals and telegraph spars suggest the train is heading west from Brent station.

Why Old Oak Common's 6009 " King Charles II " is working this two coach " All Stations " stopping train is somewhat of a mystery, unless the engine is on a " Running In " turn, but 6009 had not been in Swindon since February of that year, and such turns were carried out on the main line between Swindon and Bristol and certainly not this far west, but perhaps it had undergone some kind of minor repair whilst at Laira.
6009 was one of the fourteen " Kings " to have replacement front main frames and a new inside cylinder block fitted, being treated whilst undergoing a five month Heavy General Overhaul at Swindon which took it out of service from early January until late May 1956.
6009 is in the final form for a " King ", complete with mechanical lubricator now situated ahead of the main steam pipe, together with double chimney and high superheat boiler and modified top to the inside valve chest.