D1006 was released to traffic from Swindon works in July 1962 carrying the all-over maroon livery. It only lasted in this livery for a little of 5 months before have a small yellow panel added.

It was while in this livery Western Stalwart became the second class 52, after D1039, to be fitted with a Clear View Screen. The experimental wiper was fitted in November 1965 but, despite on-the-job modifications, was deemed unsuitable. The screens were removed from D1006 by the end of March 1967.

Like the first nine Westerns built D1006 was allocated to Plymouth Laira. With spells at Cardiff Canton, Bristol Bath Road and Landore she returned to Laira in March 1969.

It was from here that she was withdrawn in April 1975 and scrapped back at the place she was built after clocking up over 1,200,00 miles.

Ever since their introduction in 1961, windscreen wipers on Westerns were a constant source of problems. Swindon experimented with different motors and blades before turning to George Kent Limited and their design for a Clear View Screen.This rotary style of wiper was a common sight on ships and it was hoped it may provide a clearer view than the current pattern of wipers fitted to the Class 52s.

D1039 emerged from the works in March 1964 with this first style of Clear View Screen. Tests were carried out and initial observations were that the wiper would slow down if the loco was traveling to fast. Modifications were made and improvements noted but the drivers were still unhappy with the wiper obscuring their view.

The loco carried this wiper until October 1964 by which time it had become clear that the Clear View Screen did not live up to expectations. Anything but heavy rain showed the wiper to be ineffective plus if there was no rain the wiper collected a vast array of dead insects and was difficult to clean.The screen was sent back to George Kent Limited hoping they could improve the design.

More experiments were carried out after D1039 has lost its wipers but by November 1965 George Kents Limited had another Clear View Screen to try.D1006 'Western Stalwart' was chosen and the new design of wiper was fitted.

As with the first incarnation problems were discovered and rectified 'on the job' and this included Kents redesigning the screen. The updated versions were fitted in July 1966 and this is the version that our model will carry.

The main benefit of the Mk.II was the removal of four support rods that had impaired the drivers view but even with these rods removed, after fifteen months the Screens were removed from D1006.

Overall the Clear View Screens performed well in heavy rain but, even with the support rods on the MkII removed, the screen obstructed the drivers view considerably more than the standard wipers. They also cost more to fit and it was therefore decided the scrap the Clear View Screen as a reliable alternative. D1006 was running again in March 1967 with the standard windscreen wipers reinstated.