[2] However, by the 1930s the Duke class engines were past their estimated life, and in particular the frames were in poor condition.

The conversion was a success and from 1936 twenty-nine "new" locomotives were constructed from the relevant components of withdrawn Dukes and Bulldogs.

A further eleven conversions were scheduled, but the onset of World War II brought a halt to the program.

Apparently, as a riposte to repeated requests from aristocratic GWR directors for engines to be named after them, the CME of Great Western, Charles Collett decided that these "new" engines, with their decidedly old-fashioned Victorian appearance, should be given the names of those directors.

When the directors assembled at Paddington Station for the unveiling of the "new" class, the group were not impressed at Collett's joke.

Mainly deployed on the Cambrian Line, the locomotive was withdrawn from service at Oswestry in October 1960.

After its last overhaul completed in November 2003, its private owner donated it to the Bluebell Railway, on condition that it remained mainly in service on the line.

[9] In early 2024 it was moved to the Vale of Rheidol Railway for a two year loan period, to be displayed in their new museum.