BLUE ‘KING’S’ REIGN TO END AS TICKET EXPIRES
Single-chimney ‘King’ No. 6023 King Edward II is to bow out of service at Didcot Railway Centre in mid-September, on the expiry of its ‘ten-year’ boiler certificate.
The Great Western Society’s BR blue Collett 4-6-0 will be in action for a series of farewell steam days at the former 81E shed, beginning with all three days of the August Bank Holiday weekend. With recently restored ‘Saint’ 4-6-0 No. 2999 Lady of Legend also due to be in steam, this event will be the only chance to see both in operation together.
The ‘King’ will also be rostered for steam days on September 5/6, and its final weekend in traffic will be September 12/13. It has been restored to a more authentic appearance, with full-height chimney, safety valve bonnet and cab, in place of the cut-down items fitted for main line operation that never came to fruition, save for one journey to Old Oak Common open day in 2017, via Paddington.
Following its withdrawal, it will remain on display at Didcot as one of the centrepieces of the GWS’ 60th anniversary celebrations next year. Its restoration from Barry scrapyard condition, completed in 2011, was long considered impossible after it had a set of driving wheels cut through at Dai Woodham’s scrapyard following a derailment.
After the 2021 celebrations, said Graham Hukins – Didcot’s Head of Visitor Experience & Marketing – “the work required for the next overhaul will be scoped and costed, and we can then decide the likely timescale and how it fits into the workshop programme.”
However, an overhaul is unlikely to take place in the near future, he added: “We currently have seven projects under way, so there is a real desire to complete several of those before starting on any more.
“The locomotive is believed to be in reasonably good condition, so it is unlikely to ‘go to the back of the queue’ but with other work that’s already ongoing it will probably be a few years before we can return her to steam, so we’re trying to give people plenty of opportunities to see 6023 now – despite the difficulties created by the coronavirus pandemic.”
Tickets for the ‘King’s’ steaming days must be booked in advance at www. didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk