Image Licensing : King Class Locomotive, No. 6029, King Stephen

EDITORS COMMENTS

This stunning photograph captures the majesty and power of King Class Locomotive No. 6029, named "King Stephen," as it proudly stands at the Steam Museum of the Great Western Railway. Built in 1930, this 4-6-0 type locomotive was the last of its kind to roll off the production line. The King Class locomotives were a testament to the engineering prowess of their time, designed to haul heavy loads over long distances with unmatched efficiency. No. 6029, with its impressive size and imposing presence, embodies the spirit of the era when steam power reigned supreme on the railways. The locomotive's original name, "King Stephen," was given to it in honor of King George V's eldest son, who ascended to the throne in 1936 as King Edward VIII. However, the monarch's abdication in the same year led to the locomotive being renamed "King George VI" in a brief ceremony at Swindon Works. Despite its royal connections, No. 6029's primary purpose was not to serve the commercial interests of a railway company but to be a testbed for innovative technologies and design improvements. Its advanced features, such as a superheated boiler and a streamlined casing, set new standards for steam locomotive performance. Now, as a proud exhibit at the Steam Museum of the GWR, King Stephen stands as a reminder of a bygone era, a symbol of the ingenuity and passion that drove the development of steam locomotives. Its presence invites us to marvel at the engineering feats of the past and to appreciate the enduring allure of steam power.