The first locomotives that the newly founded Great Eastern procured in 1862 were express locomotives with the 2-2-2 wheel arrangement. They had outside cylinders and double frames made of wood and iron. The 31 locomotives came from four different manufacturers, including Schneider et Cie from France.
From 1872 some were modernized and received a new boiler. Two of them were even rebuilt to a 4-2-2 wheel arrangement. Different designs of the cab were also used. The number 54 was scrapped in 1874 after an accident. The remainder remained in service on the main express trains for over 25 years and were retired between 1883 and 1894. 