GWR 6000 Class 6023 King Edward II
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Great Western Railway (GWR) 6000 Class 6023 King Edward II is a preserved steam locomotive.
The locomotive was built at GWR's Swindon works in the June 1930. For most of its working life it was allocated to Newton Abbott and Laira (Plymouth). It was withdrawn from Cardiff in June 1962, and was sent to Swindon for breaking up. It had one final unusual task — coupled to its twin, 6024 King Edward I, it was towed over a bridge for weight testing purposes. Both locomotives survived and ended up being dumped in Woodhams' Scrapyard.
Whilst King Edward I was saved in 1974, King Edward II remained at the scrapyard due to the rear driving wheels being badly damaged in a shunting accident. However as part of the 150th anniversary of GWR's formation in 1985, the hulk was acquired by Messrs Harvey of Bristol and put on display at Bristol Temple Meads railway station.
It was then given to the Great Western Society at Didcot, and as of 2006 is undergoing full restoration, the only major task remaining being to rebuild the boiler. 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.
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