The XC was one of three broad-gauge Pacific standard designs introduced in the late twenties. Besides the light XA and the medium XB, it had the greatest allowed axle load of around 19.5 tons. The drivers measured 6 ft 2 in (1.880 mm) and the cylinders measured 23 by 28 inches. Most were built by Vulcan Foundry in Newton-le-Willows and some more by William Beardmore & Co. in Glasgow. In total 72 were completed between 1928 and 1931.
They turned out to be bad steamers and could not manage to haul a 350-ton train with 60 mph or 97 km/h. Additionally, they suffered from frame cracks very frequently and their coupling rods and firebox tubeplates failed fairly often. Another problem were damaged tracks and derailments, but this problem could be remedied by adding stiffer side control springs with better damping to the leading bogie and the trailing axle. Upon the partition of India in 1947, 22 went to Pakistan while 50 stayed in India. Despite their initial problems, the last one was only withdrawn in 1981.