The Best of Steam Train Performers 2018 - 6023 King Edward II

My first video of 2019 see’s us celebrating steam in action during 2018. One of the engines that deserves to have her 2018 remembered is Great Western King Class no. 6023 ‘King Edward II’ from the Didcot Railway Centre. 2018 gave The Blue King a chance to stretch its legs by visiting three popular heritage railways to show what she has got in her locker, but also gain valuable income towards her overhaul once her ticket expires in readiness once completed for her mainline runs in the future.
6023 was moved by road to the Severn Valley Railway in February for testing of the revised draughting, assuming the tests are successful she was to participate in their Spring Steam Gala in March and operate some timetable trains afterwards. The engine’s test runs were a success and performed very well during her Severn Valley Railway experience. Afterwards was a visit to The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway to be the main star of The Cotswold Festival of Steam during the spring bank holiday in late May. Afterwards she did some timetable trains and performed equally as well as her SVR visit. After visiting the Cotswolds comes a really big summer for the loco as she was heading off to Devon to go to The Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway (or The Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company). The railway offered the chance to really test the new blast pipe and draughting arrangements whilst hauling a train up steep hills to work the King to its full potential when she’s ready for the mainline. The engine performed brilliantly whilst hauling timetable trains during the summer and on one occasion in September, handled a 420 ton load (11 coaches with a dead diesel) without any problems which proved the engine’s capability with such a heavy load.
Here are the shots featured of 6023 ‘The Blue King’ during her successful 2018 period:
Severn Valley Railway -
Eardington Bank - 17th March and 21st April (Onboard and Lineside)
Bewdley - 21st April
Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway -
Gotherington - 26th May
Stanway Viaduct and Southam (Twice) - 10th June
Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway -
Between Goodrington Sands and Churston on Churston Bank - 14th July
Let’s hope 2019 brings her more success and let’s also hope for more sparkling performances from her, but for now thanks for watching the video. Feel free to like, comment but more importantly subscribe for more steam action and as always I hope you enjoy it.

[@Pirate-Scorcher-1998]

King Edward 2 is such a beautiful locomotive. Wish I can see it in person soon.

[@BrickishRail]

Cracking shots! Would love to see her myself one day, certainly one of the most striking western engines!

[@AndreiTupolev]

Actually I think the squat chimney if anything emphasises the size of the boiler and gives an impression of power.