6000_Bulmers_Hereford_23_8_1969.jpg (116863 bytes)

6000_Bulmers_Hereford_23.8.1969. UK heritage steam in the 1960s and 1970s. The Bulmers cider-making company opened a railway centre at its Hereford factory, playing host to GWR 4-6-0 No.6000 King George V from November 1968, displaying it with five Pullman carriages purchased from British Railways. On 23rd August 1969 the Railway Correspondence and Travel Society (RCTS) ran a circular railtour by diesel multiple unit, from London Paddington, via Gloucester, Hereford, Newport, Swindon and return to London. During the stop at Hereford the tour passengers visited the Bulmers site where No.6000 and three Pullman cars were giving rides, as seen here. Just over two years later, King George V ‘broke’ the British Railways’ steam ban, from when there has been no looking back for main line steam in Britain. Bulmers Railway Centre closed in 1990. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

6000_Bulmers_Hereford_23_8_1969_bell.jpg (149072 bytes)

6000_Bulmers_Hereford_23.8.1969_bell. UK heritage steam in the 1960s and 1970s. The bell carried by GWR 4-6-0 No.6000 King George V carries the inscription: PRESENTED TO LOCOMOTIVE KING GEORGE V BY THE BALTIMORE AND OHIO RAILROAD COMPANY IN COMMEMORATION OF ITS CENTENARY CELEBRATION SEPT. 24TH - OCT. 15TH 1927. Seen at Bulmers, Hereford 23rd August 1969. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

6000_Chirk_Viaduct_26_4_1975.jpg (161108 bytes)

6000_Chirk_Viaduct_26.4.1975. UK heritage steam in the 1960s and 1970s. The M&GN Joint Railway Society Limited’s “The Mayflower” railtour of 26th April 1975 was hauled by steam locomotives between Hereford and Chester, and return. On the northbound section to Chester, GWR 4-6-0 No.6000 King George V was in charge and is seen here crossing Chirk Viaduct, which was built by the Shrewsbury and Chester Railway in 1848 and today has Grade 2 Listing as an ancient monument. The southbound part of the journey was hauled by Southern Railway Pacific No.35028, Clan Line. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

6000_Llanvihangel_Bank_22_9_1973.jpg (154296 bytes)

6000_Llanvihangel_Bank_22.9.1973. UK heritage steam in the 1960s and 1970s. On 22nd September 1973, The 6000 Locomotive Association ran its “Atlantic Venturers Express” from Plymouth, via Bristol, Newport and Hereford to Shrewsbury and return. On the northbound journey the train comprised sixteen carriages hauled between Newport and Shrewsbury by LNER Pacific No.4472 Flying Scotsman, piloting GWR 4-6-0 No.6000 King George V. The latter is seen here on the climb of Llanvihangel Bank, with 4472 leading and the first of five, Bulmers Pullman cars trailing. The return service between Shrewsbury and Newport was formed of eleven coaches, hauled by King George V alone. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

6000kgv.jpg (123028 bytes)

Ex Great Western King class 4-6-0 No 6000 King George V at Gloucester in September 1985, during the GW 150 celebrations Photo and scan by Peter Hewitt (Peter.J.Hewitt@btinternet.com)

GWR_Steam_Locomotive_No_6000_King_George_the_5th_at_the_NRM__York.jpg (120575 bytes)

A Great Western Railway's steam locomotive King Class No.6000 "King George the 5th" is seen in the Great Hall of the National Railway Museum at York. In 1927 this King Class steam engine was built to pull express trains on the Great Western Railway (GWR). Wednesday the 21st of January 2009 Digital photo by Matthew Battye E-mail: matthew@rizzardi.karoo.co.uk

UK_Acton_Wells_Jct_6000_8_10_1971_.jpg (39623 bytes)

UK – The one that re-started it all! After three years and two months of no steam on Britain's main line railways, intense behind-the-scenes lobbying resulted in the surprise announcement that a short series of steam-hauled runs would be allowed, to "test the market". The hugely over-subscribed trips were handled by ex-GWR 4-6-0 6000 King George V, seen here passing Acton Wells Junction with a train from Birmingham to Kensington (Olympia). The rest of the story, as they say, is history! October 1971 Photo and scan Roger Griffiths jrcs@blueyonder.co.uk

UK_Hereford_6000_14_10_1972.jpg (51500 bytes)

UK – Carrying the bell presented as a memento of its' 1925 visit to the USA, ex- GWR King Class 4-6-0 6000 King George V storms past the site of Red Hill Junction, Hereford, with a southbound special train. 14 October 1972 Photo and scan Roger Griffiths jrcs@blueyonder.co.uk

UK_Llanvihangel_4472_and_6000_-No_2-_22_9_1973.jpg (56612 bytes)

UK (Wales) – Steam superpower! Ex-LNER Pacific 4472 Flying Scotsman and ex- GWR 4-6-0 6000 King George V climbing Llanvihangel Bank, north of Abergavenny with a special train. 22 September 1973 Photo and scan Roger Griffiths jrcs@blueyonder.co.uk