Such distant delights as Dawlish in Devon were beyond the means of my family. Even had it been possible, I woud have spent little or no time on the beach or in town! I'd have been right here to see such delights as ex-GWR Collett 'King' 6016 'King Edward V' passing through with 'The Mayflower'. October 1956.
Peter Kerslake adds "Yes, this is the 8.30 a.m. from Plymouth to Paddington with Kennaway tunnel just visible in the left background and 6016 is heading back home to Old Oak Common after an overnight stop over at Laira after probably working down the previous day and what a splendid view of the station signal box and the wooden platform extension
6016 was the third "King" to receive new front frames and inside cylinder block following nineteen weeks spent at Swindon from late July until early December of 1954, one of the three so treated that first year of the programme".


© Ken Widd. Steve Armitage Collection