6023 King Edward II, GWR King Class
A preserved GWR King Class 4-6-0, built at Swindon Works in 1930. Withdrawn from British Railways service in 1962. Rescued from Woodham Brothers' scrapyard at Barry, South Wales — one of only three King class locomotives to survive.
6023 King Edward II is owned by the Great Western Society and has been under long-term restoration at Didcot Railway Centre. One of three surviving King class locomotives alongside 6000 King George V (STEAM Museum, Swindon) and 6024 King Edward I (under restoration at Crewe).
Last recorded as under overhaul at Didcot Railway Centre, owned by the Great Western Society. Operating status: Under restoration. Current livery: BR Express Passenger blue.
Location last confirmed 2025, Didcot. Subject to change — check with the Great Western Society for current information.
Notable history
6023 King Edward II was built at Swindon Works in 1930. Withdrawn in 1962 and rescued from Woodham Brothers' scrapyard at Barry, South Wales — one of only three King class locomotives preserved. It is owned by the Great Western Society and has been under restoration at Didcot Railway Centre for many years, the project notable for the complexity of the King class's four-cylinder inside-and-outside valve gear arrangement. Unlike the other two preserved Kings, 6023 retains its original double chimney and other late-service modifications.
Additional notes
Location last confirmed: 2025, Didcot, under overhaul.
