Ex-Great Western Railway Collett 'Castle' class 4-6-0 No. 5040 'Stokesay Castle'. Built at Swindon in July 1935 and withdrawn in October 1963.
I'm unashamedly biased, but I think that as a summary of the GWR legacy in BR days this wonderful, atmospheric photograph is about as good as it gets. The Up 'Torbay Express' has 'Stokesay Castle' in charge at Reading in May 1957.
Peter Kerslake adds "A severe speed restriction with lots of track workers in evidence".


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