Unidentified Engine

[albert batten]

Can anybody help with a puzzle? I was catching a north to west service in June 1965 from Shrewsbury to Torquay. The loco was an absolutely gleaming as new condition ex GWR. I'm certain it was a "castle". I know there were only a couple left in 1965. Does anybody know what it's name could have been? I know it was blowing off something shocking. It was an overnight train.

 

[Cowley]

Welcome to the forum Albert. Could the locomotive have been 7029 Clun Castle?
It was certainly in excellent external condition in 1965 and had been used on various railtours. Here it is in June 1965 leaving Paddington with a tour (not my photo)

It was also allocated to Gloucester Horton Road around the time which may fit too?

 

[Taunton]

It did the last steam service from Paddington, to Banbury, on Friday 11 June 1965 (I wonder if that's actually the photo above, which has a LMR-terminating express M headboard rather than an X or Z for a special), then on Saturday 12 June 1965 7029 (above) did a special from Cheltenham to Weston and back. It could have been positioning between these, though bit of a long way round overnight from Banbury through Shrewsbury and Newport to Cheltenham. Were you travelling on a Friday night ? I'm guessing the steam sector was Shrewsbury to Bristol (or even Newport), not beyond.

https://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/60s/650612ss.html

Extensive blowing off sounds like an inexperienced fireman.