In the 1923 grouping, they all passed to the London and North Eastern Railway which placed them in class B2.

They were described as mixed traffic locomotives in the contemporary Great Central publication Per Rail, which promoted the company's goods services.

There is no evidence that they were intended to challenge the contemporary 11E (Director) class 4-4-0s for the generally light express passenger services of the pre-1914 years on the London Extension.

Overheating troubles with axleboxes have been alleged, related to the large force from the inside cylinders.

A more likely source of initial trouble was the marine-type big ends fitted to the first five, since the sixth reverted to strap and cotter type.