GWR Route: Banbury to Wolverhampton

Leamington Spa - BR Locomotives: gwrls140

Ex-GWR 4-6-0 Castle class No 7013 'Bristol Castle' is seen wearing the experimental British Railway 'Apple Green' livery whilst heading an up express on 1st August 1948. Number 7013 was built at Swindon works in July 1948 and officially remained in service until March 1965 when it was withdrawn from Tyseley shed for scrapping in June 1965 by Cox & Danks of Park Royal.

Unfortunately, when King George VI died suddenly in February 1952, No 4082 was in Swindon works for repairs. To keep with tradition, 4082's number, its 'Windsor Castle' nameplate and the commemorative plaques were transferred to No 7013 'Bristol Castle' to haul the funeral train. However, after the special train working, only the commemorative plaques were returned to the original engine and from then on number 7013 became the Royal engine, No 4082 'Windsor Castle', and the original No 4082 took the place of No 7013 'Bristol Castle'. Courtesy The Great Western Archive copyright John Daniel 2000

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