Standard Gauge Gallery

7 King Class Locomotives at Swindon Shed, 1930

From l-r: No 6005 King George II, No 6008 King James II, No 6017 King Edward IV, No 6020 King Henry IV, No 6022 King Edward III, No 6023 King Edward II, No 6024 King Edward I

© STEAM Museum of the GWR

1930s, 4 6 0, Engine Sheds, Factory, King, Kings, Locomotives, Swindon, Swindon Works

0-6-0 Dean Goods locomotives No's. 2479, 2576, 2425 and 2399 in the process of being scrapped, c.1949

The sorry sight of four The sorry sight of four 0-6-0 Dean Goods locomotives, photographed in the late 1940's, in the process of being scrapped. Identified as engine No's. 2479, 2576, 2425 and 2399, and all built during the 1890's, these locomotives would have seen service in both World Wars. With many Dean Goods having been rescued from the scrap heap in 1930/1940 due to them being needed for war service, it was inevitable that once locomotive building resumed in earnest after the war, many of these older engines were destined for the scrap heap once again. . Identified as engine No's. 2479, 2576, 2425 and 2399, and all built during the 1890's, these locomotives would have seen service in both World Wars. With many Dean Goods having been rescued from the scrap heap in 1930/1940 due to them being needed for war service, it was inevitable that once locomotive building resumed in earnest after the war, many of these older engines were destined for the scrap heap once again

Dean Goods locomotive No. 2533 in War Department black livery

This official photograph of a Dean Goods locomotive No. 2533 was taken at Swindon Works in October 1939 prior to its shipment overseas. The locomotive bears it War Department black livery and new engine number, and would have also been fitted with Westinghouse brakes as part of its preparation for war service. 79 Dean Goods were shipped to France. But during the invasion of the France by Germany in 1940, there were heavy losses of these locomotives as a number were destroyed during fighting and the remainder fell under the control of German forces who operated them for their own use whilst in control of the country