SR N15X class

In their new form the locomotives were similar in outline to the N15 class, though suffered from the expectation amongst crews that they were an improved version of this type.

[2] Maunsell looked at the possibility of converting the LB&SCR “Remembrance” or L class 4-6-4 tanks built by L. B. Billinton between 1914 and 1922.

[1] Conversion into the 4-6-0 tender type, entailed removing the trailing bogie, water tanks, and bunker, shortening the mainframes and fitting new cabs;[1] these were of the side-window variety already used on the Lord Nelson class.

[4] The rebuilding caused a certain amount of controversy among footplate crews, with some maintaining that one could not make so many changes and have a reliable locomotive at the end of the process.

[7] However, the rebuilds gained a reputation for rough riding and relatively poor efficiency when compared to the N15s, and were dissimilar in performance to the original L class locomotives, making them unpopular with crews.

[7] Because of this, the class was used on secondary duties, cross-country and inter-regional trains around Basingstoke rather than the heavy London to Exeter expresses for which they were intended.

[12] After the war, the locomotives were turned out in Bulleid's Southern Railway Malachite Green livery with "Sunshine Yellow" lettering.

No. 32330 'Cudworth' entering Reading General 4 June 1949