The RM arrives here in Perth, Western Australia, after a long journey and so I have only just read John Heaton’s‘Summer of 62’ article in March issue.
John says‘No. 6018 emerged from the Works on April 18’. However, unless it returned to the Works after April 8, I would suggest it was an earlier date of emerging. On a visit to both the Works, scrapyard and engine shed on April 8, I photographed No. 6018 on the shed but not in the Works (attached). On that same day my notes also show ‘Kings’ Nos. 6000, 6011, 6025 and 6026 in various locations around the Works. A subsequent visit on August 14, 1963 was my last sighting of Nos. 6018, 6025 and 6026.
I was living in Totnes until September 1962 and my last sighting of a‘King’on the 5.30am Paddington to Plymouth service was No. 6019 on September 7, 1962. I have to agree that 1962 was a watershed year!