Malcolm Doling has been in touch and sent us this fantastic picture of 1019 County of Merioneth (my favourite as I'm a Ffestiniog volunteer - Webmaster) . It is seen in the summer of 1959 piloting Castle class 5017 The Gloucester Regiment 28th, 61st whilst paused at Swindon on a Down train.
Malcolm writes, "I had just been to the works on one of the open day visits, and there she was in the station on the down side!"
The Great Western Archive has the summary of 1019 and 5017 below which shows that the double chimney had only been fitted to 1019 earlier that year. Also note the reporting number chalked on the smokebox door. Given the number 054, and that the photo was taken on a works open day which was likely to have been a Saturday, it is likely this is a multi-part summer special at the end of the heyday of Summer Saturdays to the West.
1019 County of Merioneth. Built April 1946. First and August 1950 shed allocations Newton Abbot. March 1959 shed allocation Swindon. Modified double chimney fitted March 1959. Last shed allocation Shrewsbury. Withdrawn February 1963. Scrapped at Cashmore's, Great Bridge.
5017 The Gloucester Regiment 28th, 61st. Built as St. Donat's Castle, July 1932. First shed allocation Taunton. August 1950 shed allocation Worcester. Renamed April 1954. March 1959 and last shed allocation Gloucester. Withdrawn September 1962: 1,598,851 miles. Scrapped at Cashmore's, Newport.
Comments