An early Castle now paired with a Hawksworth tender
This splendid view shows how well Worcester shed kept its few remaining " Castles " even in the final year of their lives and it has " Earl of Ducie " just two months after its memorable high speed run from Bristol to Paddington on the 9th. of May Special Working .
In preparation for that Special a number of " Castles " had earlier been tested and evaluated between Paddington and Worcester on booked service workings , with Locomotive Inspectors riding on the footplate of each engine involved , and 5054 was selected as being the best engine , thanks to Worcester shed and its fitters there