GWR 6000 Class 6023 King Edward II

King Edward II

GWR No.6023 King Edward II at Yaxham Crossing

Type and origin Power type Steam Designer C.B. Collett Builder GWR Swindon Works Build date June 1930

Specifications Leading dia. 3 ft 0 in (0.914 m) Driver dia. 6 ft 6 in (1.981 m) Minimum curve 8 chains (530 ft; 160 m) normal, 7 chains (460 ft; 140 m) slow Length: ​  • Over beams 68 ft 2 in (20.78 m) Width 8 ft 11 1⁄2 in (2.73 m) Height 13 ft 4 3⁄4 in (4.08 m) Axle load 22 long tons 10 cwt (50,400 lb or 22.9 t) full Adhesive weight 67 long tons 10 cwt (151,200 lb or 68.6 t) full Loco weight 89 long tons 0 cwt (199,400 lb or 90.4 t) full Tender weight 46 long tons 14 cwt (104,600 lb or 47.4 t) full Total weight 135 long tons 14 cwt (304,000 lb or 137.9 t) Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 6 long tons 0 cwt (13,400 lb or 6.1 t) Water cap 4,000 imp gal (18,000 l; 4,800 US gal) Boiler: ​  • Type GWR Number 12 Boiler pressure 250 lbf/in2 (1.72 MPa) Heating surface:  • Tubes 2,008 sq ft (186.5 m2)  • Firebox 194 sq ft (18.0 m2) Superheater: ​  • Heating area 313 sq ft (29.1 m2) Cylinders Four, two inside, two outside Cylinder size 16.25 in × 28 in (413 mm × 711 mm) Valve gear Inside cylinders: Walschaerts Outside cylinders: derived from inside cylinders via rocking bars

Performance figures Tractive effort 40,300 lbf (179.3 kN) original , 39,700 lbf (176.6 kN) after 1st overhaul

Career Operators Great Western Railway Class GWR 6000 Class Axle load class GWR: Double Red Current owner Mid Norfolk Railway Disposition Operational at Mid Norfolk Railway

Great Western Railway (GWR) 6000 Class 6023 King Edward II is a preserved steam locomotive.

The locomotive was built at GWR's Swindon Works, out-shopped in June 1930. For most of its working life it was allocated to Newton Abbott and Laira (Plymouth), working express passenger trains to and from Devon to London Paddington. Withdrawn from Cardiff in June 1962, it was sent to Swindon for breaking up. However, in light of the installation of a new bridge west of Bristol towards South Wales, it was coupled to its twin, 6024 King Edward I, and towed to the bridge for weight testing purposes. With both locomotives now closer to South Wales than Swindon, the decision was made to sell them to Woodham Brothers scrapyard in Barry Island.

Whilst King Edward I was saved in 1974, King Edward II remained at the scrapyard due to the rear driving wheels being flame-cut following a derailment at Woodham's. However, as part of the 150th anniversary of GWR's formation in 1985, the hulk was acquired by Harvey's of Bristol, and was moved to a bay platform at Bristol Temple Meads railway station called the Fish Dock.

The Brunel Engineering Centre Trust, under a Manpower Services Commission scheme, completely dismantled 6023 and restoration began. Work continued until the autumn of 1988, when the MS scheme funding was withdrawn and the future of 6023 was cast into doubt.

6023 was then bought by the Great Western Society and moved to Didcot in March 1990 for its restoration to continue. The restoration has included the casting of new rear driving wheels in 1994, followed by re-wheeling the chassis in 1995. The casting is notable since it is thought to be the first wheels to be created for a standard gauge locomotive in preservation. The damaged wheels were also acquired by the Great Western Society at Didcot and can today be seen on display there. Unlike the other preserved "King" class locomotives, the GWS decided to restore 6023 to its as-built single-chimney configuration. All "Kings" had been converted to double chimneys under British Railways ownership, which improved performance and efficiency but changed the original appearance.