Ex-Great Western Railway Collett 'King' class 4-6-0 No. 6029 'King Edward VIII'. Built at Swindon in August 1930 and withdrawn in July 1962.

I suspect that this May 1957 gem is how most Great Western Railway aficionados would like to remember the glory days. Candidly, the GWR, at least in appearance, was changed hardly a jot by nationalisation. Proud and magnificent, 6029 breasts Dainton summit at the helm of 'The Royal Duchy' with its iconic headboard. This is another masterful image from the camera of Cecil J. Blay.

Peter Kerslake says "Nearing the summit of the westbound climb to Dainton tunnel a nicely turned out 6029 is on a demanding one in 36 climb here, 198 miles since leaving Paddington, the date being 28th. of May, 1957 .
With no pilot engine having been taken at Newton Abbot he load should be within the ten coach limit for an unassisted "King" over the South Devon banks and 6029 looks to be doing well with steam to spare. 6029 had undergone a two months Heavy Overhaul at Swindon from August to October the previous year so would have been in a sound mechanical condition here just seven months later."

© Steve Armitage Archive