With the introduction of the winter timetable on Monday 10th September 1962 it brought to an end the long reign of the GWR King Class 4‑6‑0’s on the Paddington to Birkenhead expresses via Birmingham (Snow Hill) and Wolverhampton (Low Level) and by the 29th of the month eleven withdrawn examples were set aside in sad rows, with name and numberplates removed and chimneys sacked, at 84A Wolverhampton (Stafford Road). They were as follows:
6001 King Edward VII, 6002 King William IV, 6007 King William III, 6012 King Edward VI, 6014 King Henry VII, 6015 King Richard III, 6016 King Edward V, 6017 King Edward IV, 6020 King Henry IV, 6022 King Edward III and 6027 King Richard I.
One by one, almost on a month by month basis (a long lingering death for some), they were purchased for scrapping by Cox & Danks, Langley Green, Oldbury, commencing with 6001 (17.12.62) and culminating with 6016 (15.11.63).
GWR 5100 Class 2‑6‑2T No. 5199
A panoramic view of the shed yard at Stafford road with a number of the condemned ‘Kings’ on show. The interloper is GWR 5100 Class 2‑6‑2T No. 5199 (since preserved). Once the Kings were withdrawn Stafford Road lost much of its importance as a main line steam depot, but managed to linger on until complete closure on 9th September 1963. Today, the former depot is a trading estate and the only reminder of its previous role in the railway world is the bridge spanning a canal between where the coaling stage was situated and the running sheds.
Photograph by Peter Hands
6014 King Henry VII
6014 King Henry VII – note the V‑shaped cab, a memento of its semi‑streamlined days.
6015 King Richard III
6015 King Richard III – note the King in front, tender still filled with coal – was it emptied before removal or a ‘bonus’ for Cox & Danks personnel during the cold winter months?
Photograph by Peter Hands
