Despite their gargantuan appetite for coal and water the Bulleid Light Pacifies were the success stories of the general purpose tests. They ran their trains to time and were proved more than capable hill climbers, and when given the opportunity they were fast with the heaviest of trains. They were also the only design to exceed 2,000edhp, and their boiler efficiency was also marginally the best in their class. Yeovil also had the smokiest exhaust when working hard, indicating incomplete combustion. No doubt their enthusiastic crews deserve much credit in setting out to prove that the Southern could match and beat the products of the larger railways. The 'Modified Hall' was a disappointment and for a brand-new locomotive No 6990 Witherslack Hall was not in the best of condition. When further trials were undertaken by the Western Region, using Welsh coal with No 6961 Stedham Hall, better results were obtained. The 'Black Fives' were another disappointment, rarely showing the performances of the class in everyday service. The 'B1' proved to be a competent locomotive and showed the best of Edward Thompson's locomotive policies.
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