The class were built at the NSR's Stoke works in four batches with a number of differences in weight, grate area and heating surfaces.

The livery of the 'New L' Class was NSR Madder Lake with straw lining, and NORTH STAFFORD lettering on the side tanks along with the company crest.

The NSR No 2 identity was maintained, however, and upon the end of service at Walkden the engine was saved by Staffordshire County Council and placed on display at their Shugborough Hall museum.

In 1984 it was moved to Chatterley Whitfield mining museum,[4] for storage out of public view, before being donated to the National collection as the final surviving NSR steam locomotive.

[5] In April 2016, it was delisted from the National Collection, and donated to the Foxfield Railway near Stoke on Trent for display and eventual overhaul which is where it currently resides.

[6] The original chassis of No 2 received a new boiler plus the bunker and tanks from NSR No 69 (named "King George VI") at Walkden in 1965, before this locomotive itself was scrapped in 1969 despite attempts to preserve it.