With regards to the journey from London to Windsor, it was not actually the "Windsor Castle" engine although it appeared to be.
A trial run of the funeral train from Paddington to Windsor was made on Tuesday, February 12, behind the Western Region ‘Castle' class locomotive No. 7013, Bristol Castle, in charge of Driver Albert Potter. The train gained time slightly on the 21½-mile journey, and reached Windsor two min. early.
Special trains were run from Paddington to Windsor in advance of the funeral train, and the special for mourners in the procession started from platform No. 9 at 12.20 p.m., hauled by 4-6-0 engine No. 7004, Eastnor Castle. The funeral train left at 12.35 p.m., headed by an engine of the ‘Castle' class bearing the name Windsor Castle , in charge of Driver Potter and Fireman H. T. Bliss, both of Old Oak. Draped plaques of the Royal Coat of Arms were displayed on each side of the smokebox of the locomotive.
HOWEVER !
The engine was not, in fact, No. 4082, Windsor Castle, built in April, 1924, which hauled the funeral train of King George V in January, 1936, but No. 7013, Bristol Castle, built in 1948. No. 4082 had been sent to Swindon for overhaul shortly before the death of the King, and was not available on February 15. It was felt, however, that it would be a fitting tribute to King George VI if the engine of the funeral train bore the same name as that used on the occasion of the funeral of his father, and the nameplates and numberplates of No. 4082 were transferred to No. 7013. The brass plates on the cab of Windsor Castle, which commemorate the occasion in 1924 when King George V drove the engine 3/4 mile to Swindon Station, also were transferred to Bristol Castle. It is understood that the substitution of the nameplates and numberplates will be permanent.
Feb 05 2004, 6:18 PM