Ex-Great Western Railway Collett 'King' class 4-6-0 No. 6010 'King Charles I'. Built at Swindon in April 1928 and withdrawn in June 1962. It's October 1959 at Wolverhampton Stafford Road MPD and this King is for turning! The crewman walks along the turntable girder top to turn his locomotive. Almost beyond belief, he has no 'hi-viz' jacket nor safety harness. Will he make it unharmed? Will there be a 40,000 page report? Will the shed be closed for months at vast expense and disruption whilst an enquiry is conducted? I think we know the answers...

Peter Kerslake adds "After 29 years at Plymouth's Laira depot 6010 had been transferred to Old Oak Common in April 1959."


© Les Hanson-David Hanson Archive