Kings of the Railway - GWR 6000 Class

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Kings of the Railway - GWR 6000 Class

Рет қаралды 96,341

Күн бұрын

Greetings all! :D
Looking to a locomotive that's a little closer to home for my southern roots, we review the history of the iconic Great Western Railway 6000 Class, which are more famously known as the Kings, the primary express passenger locomotives working out of London Paddington, which, in considerations of the many weight restrictions of the Great Western mainline, were tailored to the trunk sections of this railway, and proved to be among the most superb performing steam locomotives of their era, even giving more famous streamliners from rival companies a run for their money.
All video content and images in this production have been provided with permission wherever possible. While I endeavour to ensure that all accreditations properly name the original creator, some of my sources do not list them as they are usually provided by other, unrelated KZfaqrs. Therefore, if I have mistakenly put the accreditation of 'Unknown', and you are aware of the original creator, please send me a personal message at my Gmail (this is more effective than comments as I am often unable to read all of them): rorymacveigh@gmail.com
The views and opinions expressed in this video are my personal appraisal and are not the views and opinions of any of these individuals or bodies who have kindly supplied me with footage and images.
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Thanks again, everyone, and enjoy! :D
References:
- 6024.com (and their respective references)
- Wikipedia (and its respective references)

Пікірлер: 110

@duncancurtis5971 2 жыл бұрын

In 1962 two Kings were heading for a scrapyard west of Newport. By a fluke they survived but took years to restore to life. Both Eddies live on today.

@RunawayTrain2502 2 жыл бұрын

The Woodham Bros Scrapyard of Barry, Glamorgan, Wales.

@morganrees6807 2 жыл бұрын

Came back from Cornwall summer of '58 on the Riviera - pulled by a Warship class diesel - which failed near Plymouth. After a bit, a King was coupled up - that driver didn't half make a point - we absolutely flew the rest of the way, ended up not very late into Paddington - I remember passengers were making a point of congratulating the driver and fireman. A happy day in a sad time for me.

@Yorkshire_trainspotter 7 ай бұрын

There were so many stories like this. Not even with britannias but locos like the a3s and castles from the 20s which were better then the diesels replacing them. Silly BR and their premature dieselisation.

@user-rg4sn9by7w 3 ай бұрын

@@Yorkshire_trainspotter BR was forced by BTC to adopt that ridiculous "modernization" plan. BR originally wanted an electrification plan with infrastructure upgrades that would electrify and upgrade all of Britain's railways by the 1990s. Instead... We know what actually happened.

@LMS5935 2 жыл бұрын

Finally someone talks about the gwr king class locomotives in a documentary

@RoyxlPFX 2 жыл бұрын

I agree mate. Sub for you

@railwaymechanicalengineer4587 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, but its a shame this imbecile can never get ANY of his idiot posts technically correct. The King Class had a Tractive effort of over 40,000lbs, the highest of ALL express types, including even the unique BR 8P 4-6-2 No: 71000 !!!

@cliffordwoolston1997 2 жыл бұрын

I remember train spotting at Pewsey, Wilts, being the nearest GWR station to Amesbury, Wilts. I can still here my mate screaming, "it's a king, it's a king". I still need 6003, 6005 and 6011 - 14

@justandy333 2 жыл бұрын

King Edward II's restoration has certainly been a testy one. Early on in its restoration they had to completely remake the rear driving wheel set. A very complicated, difficult and lengthy process! Whilst at Barry scrapyard, it was derailed whilst being moved. But instead of re-railing it. They took the cutters torch to the wheel and carried on! 1 persons actions that day, probably to only save a few hours, cost its restoration team ALOT of money, Time and resources. I believe the reminants of the wheel that was cut up is on display at Didcot Railway Center.

@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329 2 жыл бұрын

I’ve seen 6023 4 years ago at the seven valley railway and as 6024 the loco is almost done with the overhaul so it won’t be long until we see it come back

@justanotheryoutubechannel Жыл бұрын

In fairness they were in the scrapyard, I wouldn’t have cared much about the wheels if I was gonna strip them and melt them down anyway.

@adamc1272 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent video Mr. MacVeigh, thank you. Collett, as a proper Swindon man, was noted for being rather unhappy with all the non-standard features of the 6000s, particularly not being able to use the 6'8.5" diameter wheels which were standard to the Stars and Castles. But Sir Felix Pole was a man who got his way and to be honest, I think the detriment to the GWRs capital expenditure bill was of benefit to anyone who appreciates steam engines! Nock claims they were the culmination of those designs going back to the early twentieth century "beyond which no further advance was to be discerned." Thank you again.

@Rosie6857 Жыл бұрын

The 6' 6" wheels caused more problems than they were worth. In comparison with the Castles they lowered the whole engine with the result that on curves an outside-framed bogie would have fouled the outside cylinders. So they had a bogie with outside frames at the front and inside frames at the rear. A clever piece of design that worked well. The outside cylinders were well back because Churchward had insisted for no very good reason, it seems to me, that the inside and outside connecting rods should be the same length. Most other GWR engines had no outside connecting rods at all, or no inside ones. The Kings were the only engines in Britain that were allowed to take 11 coaches up Hemerdon Bank unassisted. That really is a heave but it was quite routine. I imagine a 9F could do it but no others, realistically.

@physiocrat7143 5 ай бұрын

@@Rosie6857 The GWR 4 cylinder layout was based on that of the French compounds. There are only two sets of inside Walschaerts valve gear driven by eccentrics. The outside cylinder valves are driven by levers from the inside. The inside cylinders are set well forwards and the outside well back. There is a sturdy stretcher under the smoke box.

@雪者 2 жыл бұрын

I wanna say thanks for these videos. It's because of stuff like this that I'm now into British locomotives.

@DaveSCameron 2 жыл бұрын

Really quality and wonderfully researched aren't they.

@雪者 2 жыл бұрын

@@DaveSCameron Yes indeed

@gquayle 2 жыл бұрын

6023 & 6024 both ended up at Barry scrapyard. Almost by accident. As they were sold, then retained to load test some bridge's, before being sold again to Woodham bros, Barry.

@167curly 2 жыл бұрын

Wonderful to hear that evocative Great Western whistle at the end of your video.

@MadBiker-vj5qj 2 жыл бұрын

The streamlining experiment was intriguing, I'd love to see a model made of it, now there's a little project for someone with a 3D printer.

@PGW85Productions 2 жыл бұрын

Hornby do make a OO scale model of the King Class, if that’s something you’re potentially interested in.

@MadBiker-vj5qj 2 жыл бұрын

@@PGW85Productions Great, thank you.

@alexwright6038 2 жыл бұрын

@@MadBiker-vj5qj The king model does not have the streamlining and it is not in their current range of models

@NickRatnieks Жыл бұрын

Rare little known fact- Richard Maunsell's surname was pronounced Mansell. Loco 6014 Henry VII never lost the last aspect of its streamlining as the wedge-shaped cab was never removed and remained until the loco was scrapped in 1963. The Kings were all withdrawn as Stanley Raymond the general manager of the Western Region decreed that none would be retained to cover for failures of the new Western diesels as this would be given by the Warship class and although a number of King class engines (not units) had received heavy general overhauls and roller bearings had been ordered for them, they were unceremoniously junked. In the aftermath, the Westerns broke down- as did the Warships supposedly providing backup and often, premier expresses like the Intercity had to be hauled by rundown Hall class locos. Such is the vanity of management as common sense would have seen the Kings that had been overhauled being kept until the Westerns had settled in and the extra expense of training the drivers on the Westerns and the Warships would have been unnecessary- as they all knew how to drive the Kings but that's PR stunts for you Murphy's Law coming in remind folk of bedrock reality. As a kid, I was very upset when the Kings just vanished seemingly, overnight.

@T16MGJ Жыл бұрын

Just yet another example of British Management excelling at getting things wrong. No end to it before and to this very day ongoing. Those we entrust our and our nation's well being fail miserably to do that.

@stuartpeacock8257 2 жыл бұрын

Whilst at school at the age of 10 or 11 a Summer Holiday treat from my parents was the City of Plymouth Holiday Express that was in effect a week of mystery trips by rail on now defunct branch lines throughout the South West. They were hauled by the very cream of the last steam locomotives including the Great Western 6000 class. On one occasion King George the 5th herself stood at the head of the train emitting steam and smoke 💨 as a living breathing mechanical creature. Sad times as even as a child I knew steam had little time to run before being replaced by the Warship and Western class diesels

@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329 2 жыл бұрын

I saw 6023 during its 2018 seven valley railway visit and that loco is the first king to see

@Hattonbank Жыл бұрын

I remember standing on Solihull station with my two younger brothers in the early 1960's trainspotting, and waiting to see a King hauled Paddington - Wolverhampton express fly through the station, when coming round the curve into the station was a strange sight. Something unfamiliar at the front of the train, no steam, but this strange machine. It was the first time that I saw a Western in place of a King. Life was never the same again. It must have been 2018 at the SVR before I saw a King again, best part of 60 years later.

@eddieking7736 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for another great video featuring my favourite class of GWR kettle. I always look forward to your railway content. 👍

@procyonlotor1501 2 жыл бұрын

I hope your channel really blows up, your videos are brilliantly done. Thanks for all the hard work that goes into them, it's genuinely appreciated!

@TheHylianBatman 2 жыл бұрын

What beautiful locomotives. They're very typical, to me; when I think of locomotives, I think of something that looks like these.

@johndavey72 7 ай бұрын

Excellent ! I remember we used to watch the magnificent King and Castle classes at Newtom Abbot from the bridge on the Torquay Road near Brunell Road . I was 10 years old and unknowingly was watching their final year on the mainline . Thankyou

@multirichard007 2 жыл бұрын

A great and informative video. Thank you. The King class were truly superlative engines. I just wish that more had been saved. But like another person below, I found the narrative just a little too fast to take it all in.

@maifantasia3650 2 жыл бұрын

If want to try it, you can watch the video through, once, at normal speed. Then, using the video settings (Playback speed), replay the video at a slower speed.

@howiesmith1504 2 жыл бұрын

You're right. It sounds like the narration was sped up a bit by computer. Trying slowing the vid down to 0.75 speed. That's also a pretty good trick for watching silent films shot at 16 frames per second and played back on 24 fps sound speed equipment, as most on YT seem to be. It almost eliminates the Keystone Kops herky jerk sped-up movements of people in the visuals. 0.66% would be perfect, but 0.75% will do.

@tomburke5311 2 жыл бұрын

Although I lived in GW territory, I never saw a King in motion. We lived in Cheltenham, and (as I understand it) neither the route from London to Cheltenham, nor the Cross Country route from Birmingham to Bristol were ever allocated Kings. So for us it was mainly Castles & Halls, and (to be honest) a lot of 51xx tanks. Plus, of course, Jubilees, Patriots and Black Fives on the LMS route from B’ham New Street through Cheltenham Lansdown (now Cheltenham Spa), Gloucester Eastgate, and on to Bristol. In summer the ‘Devonian’ express usually had a well-maintained Jubilee in charge. But again, definitely a secondary route - I don’t remember any Royal Scots, let alone Princesses or Duchesses.

@John.Mann.1941 Жыл бұрын

I remember as a yougster I would travel to Paddington on occasion to watch the trains. I liked the arrival platforms because no platform ticket was required. When 6000 was approaching, it could easily be recognized from a distance by the bell on the front. Near the end of steam, I lived in High Wycombe, and felt saddened to see former mainline express locomotives reduced to shunting duties.

@neiloflongbeck5705 2 жыл бұрын

Truro is a city and was when they named the locomotive after it.

@maghost_rider5698 2 жыл бұрын

6024 is now back in steam. They just have a few bits to finish and 6024 is back :D

@6024ke1 2 жыл бұрын

More than a few bits! We;re getting there but will be a while yet.

@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah it won’t be long now until it will be ready and return back to the mainline

@Uftonwood2 Жыл бұрын

In the day it took longer to paint an engine that to do the over-haul. Passing Swindon works the newly painted engines would be gleaming in line.

@robinforrest7680 2 жыл бұрын

Another excellent film. Thanks Rob

@bazza945 2 жыл бұрын

I seem to recollect a story about KGV and the "American Tour". It goes like this... The original Class Leader, King George V was not available at the last minute for some reason, so another of the class was given a "KGV makeover" and shipped over to the unsuspecting Yanks. The ""KGV" remained in the States until the early years of WW2. However, the UK was suffering a shortage of powerful locomotives to help with the War Effort and they wanted "KGV" back home as soon as she could be shipped over. The “KGV" made it safely home, quite a miracle considering it was during the U-Boat Menace period. This story featured in a prominent UK railway magazine, possibly a 1980s/'90s issue.

@kyleclark4449 2 жыл бұрын

10:56 Obviously, it's a different 4-6-0 design, and the photo, not to mention the derailment itself, is much worse, but the first thing that I thought of upon seeing it was, "The signal was down, sir!"

@macjim 2 жыл бұрын

Next; the ubiquitous Black 5 please.

@MadBiker-vj5qj 2 жыл бұрын

Yes please. 🙂

@robertbate5790 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent presentation, thank you.

@peterpullen958 2 жыл бұрын

Good to see 6017 at 12.37............I have a 5” gauge live steam version.

@alan-sk7ky 2 жыл бұрын

15:35 quick factoid, Cox & Danks are the scrap company that raised some of the scuttled High Seas fleet from Scapa Floe. :-)

@googlehomeboi9975 2 жыл бұрын

Beautiful locomotives

@adrianrosenlund-hudson8789 10 ай бұрын

for my money, God's Wonderful Railway produced some of the finest looking locomotives

@mozeskertesz6398 2 жыл бұрын

Good video! My favourite loco is the King class.

@Shark30006 10 ай бұрын

Can you do a video history of the GWR Castle Class?

@Alzaar_The_Gunzel 2 ай бұрын

I quite like 6000 itself, given its venture to the states and also its distinctive bell!

@Shed87AProductions Жыл бұрын

6024 my beloved

@barryphillips7327 Жыл бұрын

Good video, clear and easy to follow as always RM!!

@simonmcowan6874 2 жыл бұрын

Interesting note, Vale of Rheidol Railway loco's are a mere 3inches narrower on the footplate than a King class.

@melesmelesfaber3866 Жыл бұрын

Great video! I'm amazed at 56 years of age that I totally missed out on steam in the UK. Plus the total destruction of the British railway network! (Meaning by that that the beeching cuts)

@robertbrown2728 Жыл бұрын

I was lucky enough to get a ride behind Castle Sir Daniel Gooch from Leamington to Paddington as a boy. It was unforgettable. The sensation of speed was much greater than in a Eurostar train. Arriving at Paddington I looked up from the platform at the driver in his cab as a heroic figure. Lots of other happy memories watching manors pulling the Cambrian Coast Express along the Dovey estuary.

@ninalli Жыл бұрын

Fantastic documentary, thankyou!

@ritchiesiepman5511 2 жыл бұрын

I actually have a scale model of a GWR Kings class locomotive. Number 6014 "King Henry VII" to be exact

@mrperkinsthehusky 2 жыл бұрын

King class is my favorite steam locomotive ever I one day wanna go to England and fire one or even drive one they are such beautiful engines

@Rosie6857 Жыл бұрын

But could you throw coal to the front of the firebox? They have the longest grate of any British steam loco (about 11 feet).

@DaveSCameron 2 жыл бұрын

Yes it's definitely a Saturday morning 🤣😉📚🙏🍀

@FeatherWings78 2 ай бұрын

Perhaps you can do the GWR 4700 class

@ritchiesiepman5511 2 жыл бұрын

10:54. Do you think 6007's crash with the brakevan could be the inspiration for the Flying Kipper crash from Thomas and Friends?

@nathanw7114 2 жыл бұрын

I believe that was a different accident, which occurred earlier.

@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329 2 жыл бұрын

And 6000 is the only king still with the loco bell at the front end

@eozcompany9856 2 жыл бұрын

The mightiest of then all!

@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329 2 жыл бұрын

Only 3 kings survived 6024 still very active on the mainline 6023 which they were meant to sent that engine to return to mainline running but that was dropped and 6000 the loco that was the first engine to ever visit North America

@davidpatrick8599 11 ай бұрын

6000 was the first GWR locomotive to visit America but not the first British loco to visit that continent. The London and North Western Railway sent their latest passenger 'Queen Empress' to be an exhibit at the Columbian World Fair at Chicago. in 1893 with several LNWR coaches. It travelled from New York to Chicago under its own steam and also visited ten American cities on its return. It was also presented with the gold medal. It returned to Britain in 1894.. This being over 30 years prior to 6000's visit

@lukegreen5341 7 ай бұрын

8:51 This GWR King Class Main Line Express Steam Locomotive King George V Is A Bit Like Henry The Green Engine From Thomas The Tank Engine And Friends The Original Series In 1984. Thanks Mate. X

@jamesberlo4298 7 ай бұрын

They may not have had the Art Deco Streamlining but they were just as Beautiful to me,

@dennisthickett4941 2 жыл бұрын

very interesting , thanks for uploading..👍👍

@MorganTheTimeLord 2 жыл бұрын

Can you do the Stanier Jubilee? Or maybe a Black 5?

@Cssquarepants Жыл бұрын

17:07 even the horse wanted to see the train that is why britain loves trains

@DKS225 2 жыл бұрын

Another Sterling clip once again.

@LegoMiester14 2 жыл бұрын

Next could you do the Royal Scot Locomotives?

@User-3O3 2 жыл бұрын

Yes. You legend.

@paulsngaugechannel 2 жыл бұрын

Magic video. Wow 😯

@MrTumnus1987 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome locos but one question I always have with the King's.....why their buffers look so smol!?!?!

@rogerredding5269 2 жыл бұрын

The G.W.R 4,6,0.County class locomotives looks good also ? Any recordings of this class in operation?

@Shark30006 3 ай бұрын

6018 King Henry VI was the subject of preservation by Sir Billy Butlin, but the plans never came to fruition and the locomotive was scrapped.

@Shark30006 3 ай бұрын

3 members of the class are preserved, but was there another member of the class that was supposed to be preserved?

@d.e.b.b5788 2 жыл бұрын

Big Boy: 'What a cute little engine!'

@kyleclark4449 2 жыл бұрын

Indeed, the most powerful 4-6-0 was the Pennsylvania Railroad Class G5s.

@pacificostudios 2 жыл бұрын

That's the large American loading gauge for you. PRR also used extra heavy rails and many stone arch bridges, to allow for 75,000 pound axle loads.

@Shark30006 3 ай бұрын

Next, can you do a video history of the LMS Coronation class?

@RedArrow73 2 жыл бұрын

5:01 - What letter Stock was this Met train?

@uncinarynin 2 жыл бұрын

I have a question ... LNER and LMS both had famous Pacific 2'C1' or 4-6-2 locomotives, with a trailing axle. GWR only had one prototype, No. 111 "The Great Bear", and otherwise relied on locomotives without the trailing axle such as the 6000 "King" class portrayed here. Why that difference? Especially if axle loads are limited, an extra axle could probably help distribute the weight better.

@julianbassett5172 2 жыл бұрын

Good question. The Great Bear, which was designed by the legendary George Jackson Churchward, was the UK's first Pacific locomotive, but on trials it didn't work very well, and was considered a failure. However, the GWR's directors had such faith in Churchward they concluded that rather than he had not designed it very well (which was the truth), there had to be something inherently wrong with the Pacific wheel arrangement, and the GWR never built another Pacific! Instead they pushed the 4-6-0 as far as it could go, and built the most powerful of the type in the world.

@dj_efk 2 жыл бұрын

Where do the Saints fit into this story - I thought they were updated Stars?

@invisibleman4827 2 жыл бұрын

No they came earlier. The Hall class engines however were updated Saint class engines.

@Shark30006 6 ай бұрын

6018 King Henry VI was the subject of a failed preservation attempt by Sir Billy Butlin.

@Shark30006 3 ай бұрын

6220 Coronation went to the USA for a rail tour in 1939 before the Second World War broke out on that same year

@Shark30006 6 ай бұрын

City of Truro broke 100 mph.

@stuew6 2 жыл бұрын

What about class 35

@k3D4rsi554maq 2 жыл бұрын

Indeed!

@DeCasoU1 Жыл бұрын

Since when did tractive effort become a measure of power? It most certainly is not, it is a force and as such is of little help in assessing the power output of a locomotive.

@Shark30006 6 ай бұрын

Lode Star is preserved