Despite being a GWR Hawksworth design, all ten (nos 1500–1509) were completed under the administration of the Western Region of British Railways in 1949, just after Nationalisation.

The major difference was below the (very small) footplate, where they resembled the USATC S100 Class that the GWR and other railways had used during the Second World War.

Although a functional design, the class had limited usefulness as they were route-restricted by their high weight and were unsuitable for fast running because of their short wheelbase.

Largely confined to empty stock workings at London Paddington station, their lives were short; for example 1509 lasted barely ten years in BR service.

It was repainted in British Railways lined black colour scheme with the early BR emblem on its tanks, a livery not normally used on shunting locomotives but carried by classmates 1501 and 1503 while at Old Oak Common.