Image Licensing : King Class locomotive at Dawlish, 1933

EDITORS COMMENTS

This photograph transports us back in time to the picturesque seaside town of Dawlish in Devon, England, in the year 1933. The King Class locomotive, number 6023, King Edward II, gracefully poses by the sea wall, its regal presence a stark contrast to the tranquil seascape in the background. The King Class locomotive, also known as the 'Grande Old Lady' of the Great Western Railway (GWR), was a class of steam locomotives designed by the legendary engineer, Charles Collett. This particular locomotive was named after King Edward II, who ruled England from 1307 to 1327. The King Class locomotives were renowned for their power, efficiency, and elegance, and were a testament to the engineering prowess of the GWR during the steam era. The locomotive's distinctive features, such as its large boiler, domeless chimney, and streamlined casing, are clearly visible in this photograph. The steam plume rising from the chimney adds a sense of dynamism to the otherwise static scene. The sea wall, which runs along the coastline, provides a natural backdrop to the locomotive, with the crashing waves and the vast expanse of the sea beyond. The seaside town of Dawlish, with its quaint houses and colorful buildings, can be seen in the distance. The photograph captures the essence of a bygone era, a time when steam trains were the backbone of the transport network, and the romance of travel by rail was at its zenith.