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The engines, numbered 3150-90, were a development of the 3100 Class 2-6-2T, the principal difference being the substitution of the larger Standard No. 4 boiler. When first introduced they were allocated to the same duties as the earlier 3100s and were equally suited to heavy goods workings or fast local suburban trains.  In the condition provided for in the kit they were widely allocated to the Birmingham, S Wales, Chester, London, Devon and Cornwall areas or divisions. However they are probably most readily associated with piloting and banking duties with many examples based at Laira/Newton Abbot and Severn Tunnel Junction where the last surviving class members were allocated.

This is a completely new kit to the highest possible standards. It represents the engines as rebuilt from 1919 onwards, with larger (deeper) bunkers, longer smokeboxes and superheated boilers.

Pictures during construction and isometric diagrams

Variations/Modifications incorporated into the kit

Cab shutters fitted from 1931 to 1937 and alternative horizontal cab handrail locations.        

ATC equipment applied between 1930 and 1931.

Alternative fitting of the upper rear lamp brackets with straight and recessed fenders and shields.

Cab front portholes on engines as built but plated over or removed from the late 1920s.

'Stirrup' type steps fitted to the rear bunker from the late 1920s / early 1930s replacing the flat steps as built.

Parallel or Tapered pattern chimneys.

Short or Tall safety valve bonnets.

Early or late pattern water fillers.

Plain or riveted smokeboxes.

Variations/Modifications NOT incorporated into the kit

A small number of the class were subsequently rebuilt with curved platform ends to the frames and outside steam pipes.

In 1938/39 five engines were rebuilt and renumbered 3100-04. These engines had revised cabs and roofs, new front ends and curved platform ends, new boilers and smaller (5'-3") coupled wheels.

It is possible that some engines were fitted with cast brake hangers in later life, but the kit only includes for the fabricated type of hanger. 

 There is no provision for the early type of brake arrangement fitted to the class when they entered service.

Photographs reveal that numerous changes were made as the engines passed though Works such as, different style buffers, additional hand rails, balance weights and even coupled wheels with some examples being fitted with the patterns associated with later 5'-8" Prairie classes.

The smokebox top mounted lamp iron may have been relocated to the smokebox door in some instances, but we have seen no photographic evidence to support this.