It was the joint production of Davey Paxman & Co, Shell Refining & Marketing Co and Lt-Col L. F. R. Fell, built for them by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway at Derby.

The design for 10100, a collaboration between Fell Developments Ltd and H. G. Ivatt of the LMS, aimed to address several of the weaknesses perceived of diesel powered rail traction.

[1] This was also expected to save time in maintenance as an individual diesel engine could be exchanged more easily and with lighter equipment.

Using differential gearing to transmit the power, it was built as a 4-8-4 with the coupling rods connecting the centre four pairs of driving wheels.

Since this could cause the drive mechanism to lock up if the locomotive were to be pushed backward a vacuum-operated clutch was included in the geartrain.

[4] In July 1952, 10100's gearbox was severely damaged after a loose bolt fell through the geartrain, and the locomotive was out of service for over a year.

British Railways subsequently lost interest in the project, and an improved version of the locomotive under development was abandoned.

10100 remained in service until 16 October 1958, when its steam heating boiler caught fire at Manchester Central.