‘Royal’ loco joins railway museum

7:20pm Tuesday 7th October 2008

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A MAGNIFICENT steam loco is set to arrive at the National Railway Museum later this week – but only after a tortuous journey to York from Swindon.

King George V is the latest locomotive to be added to the vast collection in the museum’s Great Hall, having been swapped for Evening Star with the Swindon STEAM Museum.

But before it can go on show, the 135-tonne locomotive will have to complete the 250-mile journey, most of which will be on the back of a large articulated lorry.

However, the final two miles to the museum in Leeman Road will have to be made by rail because of low bridges in the area, and even then special measures will be needed to ensure it does not hit overhead power lines. “In order to get under the 25,000 volt overhead lines, the cab, safety valve bonnet, casting and chimney must be removed,” said a spokeswoman.

“Once this has been done, King George V can be safely taken the final two miles of its journey to its new home in the Great Hall. The transportation of the locomotive is undoubtedly the most challenging aspect of the exchange.”

She said the wagon on which King George V was supposed to be transported was out of action, which meant a delay in its arrival from Wednesday to either Thursday or Friday. She said No.6000 King George V was the first “King” class locomotive and was completed in 1927. A few weeks after its completion, it was shipped to America to participate in the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad centenary celebrations.

Helen Ashby, head of knowledge and collections at the museum, said: “Thirty ‘King’ class locomotives were produced between 1927 and 1930. However only three have been fully restored to be enjoyed by the public today. So we’re very excited to have one of these magnificent locomotives on display at the NRM. We’re certain our visitors will be just as thrilled to see it in our Great Hall as we are.”