George Jackson Churchward had recognised this with the introduction of the 4700 class 2-8-0 with 5 ft 8 in (1.727 m) driving wheels, intended for express goods and relief passenger trains.
However, Charles Collett preferred the idea of a Saint Class with smaller wheels to undertake these duties as this would provide a leading bogie.
[1] The prototype of the new class was rebuilt in 1924 and the cylinders were realigned in relation to the driving axle and a more modern 'Castle'-type cab was fitted.
During this period Collett introduced other modifications such as changing the pitch of the taper boiler and adding outside steam pipes.
[2][3] After extensive trials during 1925–1927, Collett was satisfied with the performance of his prototype, subject to minor amendments and placed an order for eighty more with Swindon works (Lot 254) in 1928.
[8] As indicated by their continuing production, the Hall class proved to be very successful in a variety of different roles from goods work to passenger services, although barred from several cross-country and branch lines because of their red weight classification.
[12]) Although the GWR had been at the forefront of British locomotive development between 1900 and 1930, the 1930s saw a degree of complacency at Swindon reflected in the fact that the design had largely originated in the 1900s and had not fundamentally changed since the mid-1920s.
The engine was at this point assumed to be 4983 Albert Hall, but in 1998, the restoration team at the Birmingham Railway Museum discovered its true identity to be that of 4965.
4920 Dumbleton Hall has operated in preservation, but is now on static display as part of the new Harry Potter attraction which opened in Tokyo in 2023.
In January 2024 it was announced that subject to funding for its next mainline standard overhaul 4965 Rood Ashton Hall will be converted to become oil-fired.
Following cosmetic makeover at Carnforth MPD, including repaint into Hogwarts Railways Crimson, was exported from Southampton to Tokyo, Japan in December 2021.