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Steam locos regularly visit London's Victoria station but the sight of Great Western 6024 King Edward I is one of the more unusual ones. With a dc electric arriving and and a CEP tribute tour on the far right there was plenty of variety early morning on the 30th December 2004. Photo from James & Martin's Picture Collection Copyright 'Jampics' m.hawkes7@ntlworld.com British and Foreign Railway Pictures Jampics Fotopic.

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ex GWR King 6024 passing Creech St Michael with an excursion on November2, 2002 Photo and copyright Wayland Smith (wa231_2000@yahoo.co.uk)

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Returning from Bristol to London, King Edward 1 accelerates away with a commendably clean exhaust, from Bathampton Junction into the picturesque Avon Valley. The parish church of the village of Bathford dominates the skyline. 9 June 2005. Digital photo by Roger Griffiths; jrcs@blueyonder.co.uk

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It is nearly mid-summer in Britain, but dark skies, low clouds and heavy rain are more common at the moment than sunshine! Ex-GWR 4-cylinder 4-6-0 No.6024 is seen in those adverse weather conditions at the summit of Brewham Bank with a special train, on 4 June, 2005. Despite the slippery rail conditions, eleven coaches packed with passengers and a 115 ton "dead" (broken down!) diesel attached at the rear, King Edward I handled its train of about 550 tons with typical Great Western 4-6-0 efficiency, topping the long westbound gradient at about 64kph with a minimum of fuss and noise! Digital picture Roger Griffiths; jrcs@blueyonder.co.uk Canon EOS 300D; film speed 400ASA; 400th of a second at f4.5; Canon EFS 18-55mm lens at 35mm focal length. Picture lightened slightly using Photoshop Elements.

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Ex-GWR 4-cylinder 4-6-0 No.6024, King Edward 1, has its heavy train well in hand as the London – Bristol “Cathedrals Express” roars up the long climb to Savernake Summit, at Crofton. At this point, the “Berks and Hants" main line of the old Great Western runs parallel with the delightful Kennet & Avon Canal. 9 June 2005. Digital photo by Roger Griffiths; jrcs@blueyonder.co.uk

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Ex-Great Western King Class 4-cyl 4-6-0 6024 King Edward I, made a storming return to traffic in the latter part of 2004. One of her first runs was on 13 November when 6024 ran from Bristol to Plymouth and back. She is seen here making light work of the steep climb to Dainton Tunnel, with the stunning lighting conditions accentuating the massive pall of exhaust smoke against the late Autumn golds and russets of the trees. Photo and scan Roger Griffiths; jrcs@blueyonder.co.uk

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After taking water the King and Manor took the coastal route past Dawlish and Teignmouth, then turned west to run alongside the estuary of the River Teign. This is a fast stretch of track and both locomotives are seen working at their maximum permitted speed as they passed Bishopsteignton, in just about the only sunny few moments of the day. Photo by Roger Griffiths; jrcs@blueyonder.co.uk

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On 28 February 2005 a special train was organised to mark the retirement of Bernard Staite, the long-serving Chairman of Britain’s Steam Locomotive Owners Association. Regrettably Mr Staite is suffering from cancer so the proceeds of the trip were to be devoted to cancer research funds. The train comprised the Orient Express Pullman coaches and was hauled from London, Paddington to Taunton and return, by a preserved “Western” Class diesel-hydraulic. Between Taunton and Paignton and return, taking in the beautiful coastal railway line, the Pullmans were pulled by ex-Great Western Railway 4-6-0s, 6024, King Edward I and 7802, Bradley Manor. Here the pair is seen working hard at the foot of Wellington Bank, facing 5kms of steadily increasing gradients to the summit at Whiteball Tunnel. Photo by Roger Griffiths; jrcs@blueyonder.co.uk

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King Class 4-cyl 4-6-0 6024 King Edward I, made another superb run on 11 December 2004 when she took a Christmas Shoppers’ special from Bristol to London and back. Once again marvellous lighting was the order of the day, allowing this fine view of the King running at 75mph (120kph) along the Avon Valley near Twerton, on the outskirts of Bath. Photo and scan Roger Griffiths; jrcs@blueyonder.co.uk

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Ex-Great Western 4-cyl 4-6-0 6024 King Edward I is just about to enter Dainton Tunnel at the summit of the very steep and winding climb up Dainton Bank, from Aller Junction in South Devon. Despite the cold and windy day, many people were present to watch “His Majesty’s” volcanic progress up this famous incline with a special train from Bristol to Plymouth. Canon EOS 300D; 400ASA; Canon EF 35-105 lens at 50mm; 320th second @ F4.5 Digital photo by Roger Griffiths; jrcs@blueyonder.co.uk

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Ex-Great Western Railway 4-cyl 4-6-0 6024 King Edward 1 and support coach, cruise up Horfield Bank, Bristol, on the way from the West Somerset Railway, to the Birmingham Railway Museum at Tyseley. Originally the King was to have hauled a trainload of passengers over the same route, but poor ticket sales led to the special train being cancelled. 14 May 2005. Digital photo: Roger Griffiths; jrcs@blueyonder.co.uk Canon EOS300D; 18-55mm lens at 31mm focal length; 100ASA film speed; 320th second at f4.5

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Horfield Bank 25 March 2006: Having been brought almost a halt at the foot of Horfield Bank, GWR King Class 4-cyl 4-6-0 6024 King Edward I makes a loudly determined assault on the long 1 in 75 gradient with its 12-coach, 440 ton train. Named “The Red Dragon” after the mythical beast that is central to the Welsh national flag, the enthusiasts’ special was on a return trip from Bristol to Carmarthen in West Wales. Note the very nice touch of two Welsh flags mounted on the front buffer beam – thanks to a patriotic member of the locomotive’s support crew! Roger Griffiths; jrcs@blueyonder.co.uk

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A view of 6024 ‘King Edward 1’ from the tender looking forwards, Bishop’s Lydeard, 20 March 2005 James Robinson (J.Robinson@ex.ac.uk)

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Penzance, 7 April, 2007: ex-Great Western Railway 4-6-0s, King Class No. 6024 King Edward I and Castle Class No. 5051 Earl Bathurst are made ready to haul “The Great Britain” special train to Bristol. The locomotives turned in a stunning performance, arriving in Bristol no less than 19 minutes early! However, the support crew for No. 5051 were in subdued mood as this was the locomotive’s last run before its boiler certificate expired and it was not known if/when No. 5051 will run again. Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com