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Historic model locomotive repaired and back on display
A model of a famous locomotive is back on view at Bristol Temple Meads in a new display case after being restored.
The one-16th scale model of the no. 6,000 King George V was originally built in 1930 by Northampton toy manufacturers Bassett-Lowke. Inserting an old penny once turned the locomotive’s wheels, with all the money raised going to charity.
Its restoration and new display case in the passenger subway at Temple Meads celebrates the 200th anniversary of the opening of the world’s first passenger railway between Stockton and Darlington.
The newly restored model is also now in a new display case – photo: Martin Booth
The real King George V was the UK’s most powerful locomotive when it rolled off the production line in 1927, with no. 6,000 the first of 30 to be built at the Great Western Railway’s Swindon works.
Look closely and you will spot an American locomotive bell on its front buffer which marks a visit of the locomotive to the USA in 1927 as part of the Baltimore & Ohio Railway’s centenary celebrations.
The full-sized no. 6,000 is now on display at STEAM museum in Swindon having travelled almost two million miles while in service.
Main photo: Martin Booth
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