King
Edward II Project
King Edward II is a Great Western Railway (GWR) heavy express steam locomotive, one of only three surviving members of this class of loco. Introduced in the 1920s for hauling express trains over the steep gradients (banks) of South Devon, the Kings were withdrawn in the early 1960s as diesel locomotives replaced them. King Edward II (a.k.a. 6023) spent many years rotting at Barry Scrapyard, and had her rear driving wheels cut through with an oxy-acetylene torch after a shunting accident. This site tells the long story of her restoration to full working order under the leadership of Dennis Howells MBE, and her preparation for main line running under the leadership of Karl Buckingham...
September 29th 2018- 6023's new draughting arrangements and blast pipe tested successfully with a 420-ton load on the Dartmouth Steam Railway - see news.
-- August 18th 2018 --
It is great sadness that we announce the death of our project manager Dennis Howells MBE.
June 2018 - The King has now been moved by road to the spectacular Dartmouth Steam Railway in Devon, where it will be in steam over the summer.
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Photograph with kind permission of Robert Sherwood
May 2018 - 6023 took part in the Cotswold Festival of Steam between Cheltenham Racecourse and Broadway on the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway.
March 2018 - 6023 has been undergoing loaded test runs on the Severn Valley Railway, hauling 7 coaches and a diesel. 6023 also played a major part alongside 60163 'Tornado' in the SVR's Spring Steam Gala. See news.
February 2018 - It is with great regret, that despite our efforts over the years, that we have had to take the difficult decision to postpone main line running for the time being. There is a press release in news.
September 2017 - 6023 is back at Didcot after its star appearance at 'Legends of the Great Western' at Old Oak Common on 2nd September 2017, including her first foray onto the real railway since 1962, and her first journeys into Paddington Station! This has been a magnificent effort by Didcot Railway Centre/Great Western Society and the supporting railway agencies who made it all possible.
See News Updates for details & more pictures.
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6023 spent 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 at Didcot Railway Centre as a working locomotive on the demonstration line, between major works on the wheel springs, dampers, electronic equipment required for main line running, GSMR radio, reduction in height by 4"- which led to entirely new draughting arrangements for the chimney, accurate measurement for gauging through stations and obstructions by the main line, and accurate weighing and spring adjustment of all the axles. There were also myriad other minor jobs to keep her in good condition - not least of which have been regular lubrication, cleaning the paintwork and polishing the mass of brass.
Through the winter of 2013, King Edward II was put to use on the Great Central Railway following boiler repairs, and starred there briefly under the guise of Richard III following the discovery of the the monarch's bones under a car park in nearby Leicester.
Photo on the GCR with kind permission of Duncan Langtree
Through June & July 2011, 6023 was based at Dereham on the Mid-Norfolk Railway for running-in, including their Steam Gala weekend of the 16th-17th July 2011
Photo by Richard Varley of the GWS
6023 was in steam publicly for the first time on 2nd & 3rd APRIL 2011 at Didcot Railway Centre.
Photo
from HD video by Richard Varley
Photo
by Richard Varley
See Trial & Launch link for many more pictures of our (largely) completed work...
Colour Photo by Phil Neale
All a long way from
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Oil Painting by Richard Varley of the GWS
Photo by Nick Baxter