The local enthusiasts are taking it easy in the shade on what looks to be a hot August here at Oxford as 7008 , " Swansea Castle " runs in on what appears to be a Cross Country working , with Midland Region stock and a Midland Region style of Reporting Number , possibly heading down through Reading to the South Coast.
Withdrawn just a month following the date of this view 7008 had earlier that same year been one of the eight " Castles " still in service chosen to participate in the " Castle Swansong " Special from Paddington to Plymouth and back , the engine being placed third in the list following a series of fast runs with Locomotive Inspectors on the footplates of the engines so selected .
The test runs between Paddington and Worcester placed 5054 , " Earl of Ducie " as being the best of the eight , followed by 5057 , " Earl Waldegrave " and then 7008.
On the day of the Special 7008 was standby engine at Plymouth North Road , to cover for 7029 , " Clun Castle " in the event of that engine's failure , 7029 being rostered on the return stage of the Special from Plymouth to Bristol.