Operational Details
The class, despite its long period of service, was regarded as a stop-gap measure to assist the smooth operation of LSWR passenger services. This belief continued despite the attempt at standardization in 1883 by converting the locomotives to 4-4-2 wheel arrangement. The class was eventually demoted to rural local passenger services by the LSWR, along with their 415 class cousins. One locomotive, number 0376 (376), was withdrawn early in February 1914, though was sold to the Brecon and Merthyr Railway in South Wales. This locomotive was re-numbered 44 when in service on this railway, passing to the Great Western Railway on 1 July 1922 who allocated it number 1391. However it was withdraw later that year before it was renumbered.
The class withdrawal programme ended temporarily with the onset of the First World War, where motive power shortages effectively extended their working lives until they became surplus to requirements during the years following the war. As a result, four of the class were withdrawn in November 1921, with the remaining seven examples in service just making it to grouping and Southern Railway ownership in 1923. The withdrawals continued, with the final serviceable example being withdrawn in October 1925.
Because of the early withdrawal of the class during the 1920s, no examples survived to be earmarked for preservation.
Read more about this topic: LSWR 46 Class
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