Newton Abbott Spring 1962

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Newton Abbott Spring 1962
Newton Abbott Spring 1962

Ex-GWR 'Castle' class 4-6-0 5055 'Earl of Eldon' was considered to be the very best of the entire fleet at Old Oak Common, and was personally selected by Royal Train driver Bert Edmonds for his retirement runs on the down and up 'Cornish Riviera Express' (The 'Limited') on 25th and 26th May 1956. Fired by his regular fireman Vic Smith they arrived at Plymouth dead on time, and were promptly offered another 'Castle', 5025 'Chirk Castle' for the return working. Although 5025 had been groomed to perfection, Bert said that he wanted to take 5055 back to London the next day, so the Plymouth Laira shed staff prepared her as they would for a Royal train. Arriving at Paddington 1/2 minute early, Bert was surprised to find that the media had turned out in force to record his retirement and coincidentally, that of another Royal Train driver, Albert Potter. During his 44 year career on the footplate, Bert Edmonds was never late for work and never took any time off sick, an incredible achievement and tribute to the loyalty and commitment of the GWR staff. 5055 spent time allocated to both Old Oak Common and Newton Abbott, and was dismantled in Swindon's 'C' Shop on 19th October 1964. The Norman Hirst Collection re-imaged. Copyright ©2022 by Keith Lewcock. Not to be used or reproduced without my prior permission.

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Taken on: October 3, 2017
Sets appears in:   • The Very Best of Norman Hirst's British Railways of the '50s and '60s   
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