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GWR 6000 Class

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The Great Western Railway 6000 Class or King class is a class of 4-6-0 steam locomotive designed for express passenger work and introduced in 1927. They were the largest locomotives built by the GWR, apart from the unique Pacific (The Great Bear). The class was named after kings of the United Kingdom and of England, beginning with the then reigning monarch, King George V, and going back through history. They handled the principal GWR expresses on the main line from London to the West of England and on the Chiltern line to Birmingham and Wolverhampton, until 1962 when the class was withdrawn.

Accidents and incidents[]

  • On 10 August 1927, the leading bogie of, then new, 6003 King George IV, became derailed at speed approaching Midgham. This led to the suspension arrangement of the unusual bogie being improved.

There have been two serious accidents involving the class:

  • On 15 January 1936, a freight train, hauled by GWR 2800 Class 2-8-0 No. 2802, became divided at Shrivenham, Berkshire. Due to errors by the guard of the freight train and a signalman, an express passenger train hauled by No. 6007 King William III ran into the six wagons that had been left behind and derailed. Two people were killed. As a result, the locomotive was written off and replaced by another with the same name and number.
  • On 4 November 1940, an express passenger train hauled by No. 6028 King George VI was derailed at Norton Fitzwarren, Somerset due to the driver misreading signals. Twenty-seven people were killed and 57 were seriously injured

King George V in the United States[]

After six months of operation, No. 6000 was shipped to North America in August 1927 to join in Baltimore & Ohio Centenary celebrations, where its sleek appearance and smooth performance impressed all who witnessed it. King George V was presented with a brass bell and cabside medallions to mark the occasion. The application of pressurised oil lubrication showed its advantages over the largely grease-lubricated American Locomotives, and was even incorporated into a later design for the B&O in 1928.

Stock list[]

Image No. Name Build date Notes
GWR No. 6000 King George V 6000 King George V On static display at the Museum of the Great Western Railway, also known as Swindon Steam Railway Museum.
GWR No. 6011 King James I 6011 King James I
6012 King Edward VI
GWR No. 6013 King Henry VIII 6013 King Henry VIII
GWR King Henry VII left 14 view 6014 King Henry VII
6021 King Richard II
GWR No. 6023 King Edward II 6023 King Edward II
0684305af4c24486b8a4197352312ec4lg 6024 King Edward I
GWR No. 6025 King Henry III 6025 King Henry III
GWR 6000 Class No. 6027 King Richard I 6027 King Richard I 1930
6029 King Edward VIII Originally named King Stephen, renamed May 1936.

Preservation[]

Three members of the class have survived into preservation.

  • 6000 King George V is on static display at the Museum of the Great Western Railway, also known as Swindon Steam Railway Museum.
  • 6023 King Edward II is currently undergoing an overhaul at the Didcot Railway Centre.
  • 6024 King Edward I is currently undergoing an overhaul at the West Somerset Railway.

Gallery[]

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