The 2301 class broke with previous GWR tradition in having inside frames only and changes were made in the boiler design during the period that they were being built.

Some of the engines were destroyed in the retreat to Dunkirk whilst the remainder were used on the French railways by the German occupation forces.

Of the engines that remained in England, most of them worked at War Department and Ordnance depots around the country, though in 1943, 6 were shipped to Tunisia and thence to Italy.

[6] Fifty-four locomotives passed to British Railways in 1948, mostly being used on Welsh branch lines due to their light axle loads.

2516 is currently a static exhibit at Swindon Steam Railway Museum, with the tender displayed far behind; visitors consequently have a clear view into the driving cab (see pictures).

Three companies have released models of the Dean Goods class: Oxford Rail in 2017 in Great Western (no 2475 & 2534), RoD Khaki (no 2308) and British Railways Black (no 2409) liveries.

[7] Mainline Model Railways made a Dean Goods class in GWR Green (no 2516) and BR black (no 2538) in 1983.