6024 Uffington 9 September 2006

To celebrate the centenary of poet laureate Sir John Betjeman's birth, a special train ran on 9 September 2006 from London to Bristol conveying distinguished guests to a grand celebration at St Mary Redcliffe church using King Class 4-6-0 6024 King Edward I. The 1Z24 10:11 Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads special is pictured passing the site of Uffington loops in far from ideal conditions for steam photography. It was a very warm day, and although the loco was working hard, there is barely a trace of exhaust. The train had just been held in Challow loop for an hour's watering stop, but due to a late running HST was now running ten minutes late. 67005 Queen's Messenger is luckily being hidden by the trees on the rear of the train.