Whilst Dugald Drummond's success with his previous 4-4-0 designs meant that the LSWR's immediate traffic needs were covered in 1905, he began to undertake a new project that would help solve a new problem.

[2][page needed] As a result, Drummond believed that a new wheel arrangement (for the LSWR) was required in order to support such power, which in turn was provided by a multiple-cylinder layout.

[3] This factor also created a heavy locomotive, though route availability was not a high consideration in terms of their intended role to ply their trade on the LSWR mainline.

[4][page needed] Full-scale construction was undertaken at Nine Elms, with the first of five F13s being outshopped in 1905, and the class was married to a Drummond 'watercart' eight-wheeled tender in an attempt to provide adequate provision of coal and water for long journeys.

[7] The class saw more success when rostered to operate on the less arduous stretch of track between Salisbury and Southampton, hauling coal trains between these two destinations, a far cry from their intended role.