Despite its immaculate appearance Reading’s ’Morlais Castle’ would be withdrawn just a few weeks later in September 1963. Note the interesting steam operated crane in the right backgroud. Now why did I fail to take a picture of that? Another missed opportunity.

Peter Kerslake adds "5038 was built at Swindon in June 1935 and its first shed was Old Oak Common from where it worked for much of its career before moving to Shrewsbury in April 1958 followed by a transfer to Oxford in May 1962 and then to Reading in October 1962".

Photo by and copyright of David P Williams