A month later the NER organised a test train, over the Newcastle to Carlisle line, including a brake van and the company's dynamometer car to record the locomotive's performance.

Despite their prowess, the original quintet of T3s was not augmented by the North Eastern Railway, a move that would have pleased footplate crews who disliked having to lubricate and maintain the centre cylinder and valve gear.

The remaining four gravitated to their natural habitat, Tyne Dock depot near South Shields.

This was to haul 700-long-ton (710 t; 780-short-ton) rakes of iron ore hoppers to the steelworks at Consett 1,000 ft (305 m) above sea level.

With the loss of their bread and butter work British Railways retired all 15 of the Q7s in November and December 1962.