A total of 260 class 2301 freight locomotives built for the GWR between 1883 and 1899 were also known as “Dean Goods” after their designer. They had a Belpaire firebox and, unlike previous GWR locomotives, only had an inside frame. Due to their high tractive power compared to four-coupled locomotives, they were also used for passenger and express trains. From 1908 they received new boilers and cylinders enlarged by half an inch. 20 of them were rebuilt into class 3901 tank locomotives with a 2-6-2T wheel arrangement. In both the First and Second World Wars, they were used by the ROD in France, among other places, and were then partly sent to other countries. British Railways took over 54 locomotives in 1948 and used them mainly on branch lines in Wales due to their low axle loads. The last machine was retired in May 1957.