This is the inside story of 6024's storming performances at the head of the Torbay Express service during the summer of 2008. It started badly. "King Edward I" was stuck at Bridgnorth with mechanical problems, so the unrebuilt Battle of Britain locomotive "Tangmere" had to take over instead. Two weeks later, complete with a new axlebox and rebuilt air pump, the King was being nursed along the Welsh borders to Bristol. There'd been precious little opportunity for running-in at the Severn Valley Railway. The following day's dash from Bristol to Torbay at 75mph would be a case of "kill or cure" for the elderly King.
The train was heavier than usual. Ahead was the fearsome Whiteball bank, plus an equally gruelling slog across the hilly spine of land that separates Paignton from Kingswear. The 6024 Preservation Society was determined that their engine would not fail and they had three aces up their sleeve in the form of a trio of hugely experienced ex-Great Western enginemen. Fears about the King's health gradually slipped away as the 80-year old engine seemed to be getting stronger as the weeks went by.
As of early 2022 the king is on the edge of returning to traffic following a 10 yearly overhaul and is to be returned to the mainline.
All content in this video is © of it's original owners Go Entertain/Green Umbrella and was released in 2011. No profit is being made on this video by myself & all rights belong to respective owners. Permission has been given for it's release.
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