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 Built at Swindon in August 1930 and withdrawn in July 1962.

The unknown photographer has perfectly framed his subject between the signals at Sonning in this superb late 1950s photograph. The exact location is still undetermined.

Peter Kerslake says "6029's Old Oak Common (81A ) Shed Plate would indicate this to be an image after May of 1959 when the engine was lost to Laira and moved to Old Oak where it remained until meeting its end in July of 1962.
At the date of this fine image the "Kings" were housed at Old Oak and Wolverhampton and with the West of England express services now in the hands of Diesel power the Old Oak ones were engaged on duties between Paddington and South Wales, regularly working the overnight newspapers and parcels down to Cardiff and returning on the "Capitals United" express but they often needed attention from Canton's fitters after reaching Cardiff, their reliability being poor as was their timekeeping: they also worked the milk trains from Whitland to the Capital.
They were also regularly seen at Shrewsbury, often heading the down "Cambrian Coast Express" from Paddington."

© Steve Armitage Archive