King Edward II

The King Edward II Steam Train in the sheds area at Didcot Railway museum, this preserved locomotive was built at Great Western Railways Swindon Yard in 1930. The locomotive was used as an express passenger train from Devon to London Paddington.

In June 1962 it was withdrawn from service and and the decision was made for it to be sent to Swindon to be dismantled for scrap. However It was then used as a weight test for a new bridge in South Wales and instead of Swindon it was sold to Woodham Brothers scrapyard in Barry Island where many Locos ended up awaiting there fate with the scrappers cutting torch.

Fortunately for the King Edward II after a couple of owners it was eventually chosen for a restoration by the Brunel Engineering Trust (Via the Manpower Services Comission, a training body) with restoration work continuing until late Autumn 1988 when the funding was withdrawn and once again King Edward II faced an uncertain future.

The locomotive was again thrown a lifeline when GWS bought it and it was transported to Didcot for the restoration to continue, in January 2011 King Edward II moved for the first time since 1962 under her own power and fortunately despite a few hiccups along the way is still to be found running at various events throughout the UK. A beautiful job the restorers, enthusiasts and engineers have done too.