6024 ‘King Edward I’
The Devonian : Saturday 29th January

This railtour, organised by the Railway Touring Company, ran from Paddington to Plymouth, with 6024 taking over for the return run from Bristol to Plymouth.

The King Class 4-6-0, introduced by Collett in 1927, was the top express locomotive of the Great Western Railway. Despite a 20 minute late start from Bristol, 6024 had mad up most of the deficit by the this photograph was taken (KE1) at the summit of the 1 in 80 at Whiteball Tunnel.

Better was still to come, with a storming assault of Dainton bank, seen here approaching the tunnel at the summit of the 1 in 36 (KE2).

The departure from Plymouth was delayed from the scheduled 16.40 owing to the locomotive not getting onto the stock after turning and servicing until 2 minutes before scheduled departure. As a result, the train was not allowed to depart until after the 17.00 HST. By the time 6024 reached the 1 in 42 of Hemerdon Bank, dusk was rapidly approaching, and this shot in the woods part way up the bank was taken at 1/125th second at f1.8 with the camera rated at ISO 1600 (KE3).

By shortening the water stop at Exeter, the train was on time passing Tiverton Parkway, and actually 10 minutes ahead of schedule passing Bridgewater.