6024 King Edward 1

It's still got the lower "main line" elliptical double chimney. Hopefully they'll paint it in BR green, rather than GWR livery, although if they've removed the smoke box door numberplate brackets, it does hint that GWR livery might be likely. I hope that isn't the case, a double chimney King only looks correct to me in BR livery. Just my views.

 

I think those images appear to come from an account on YouTube, who posted a YouTube short of the loco moving. Glad to see 6024 in steam again.

Personally I hope it does end up in matching GWR livery to 5029, because (in my opinion at least) the mainline scene needs a bit more livery variety beyond BR ones (5029 and 926 on the NYMR are, I think, the only non BR liveried locos main line operational and the latter is only registered for Whitby services). On a personal note I was only about 3/4 years old when 6024 carried GWR livery last time and would be a nice difference to 6023's BR Express Passenger Blue and 6000's BR Express Passenger Green liveries.

My experiences with Kings have been limited to just 6023 at Didcot once and seeing 6000 at York, so hopefully I can experience 6024 very soon. It'll be interesting to see how they arrange work for 6024 and 5029 going forward.

 

Very pleased to see this loco on the way back, the mainline has been missing a King - the ultimate GWR design. There was the disappointment of 6023 becoming heritage line only, & never getting to prove its new chimney draughting arrangement - 6024 has been away far longer than anyone expected. 6023 gave very brief glimpses of its potential, but ultimately was never able to get out of second gear.
Performance wise, I don't think 6024 has anything to prove in the south west where it still holds the Plymouth to Exeter record. In the right hands, 6024 was a match for any pacific.
In the north...well let's say she has unfinished business!!