In 1902, the Midland Railway had five express locomotives built, numbered 2631 to 2635, designed by Samuel White Johnson. The special feature was the power plant, which consisted of three cylinders with compound action. The high-pressure cylinder was below the smoke box, while the low-pressure cylinders were on the outside and got their steam from a common receiver. All three cylinders acted on the first driving axle. 

From 1905, Johnson's successor Richard Deeley had 30 more built, which were initially numbered 1000 to 1029. They had some simplifications, especially in the area of valve gear. In 1907, the first five were renumbered 1000 through 1004, while the locomotives from the second batch were numbered 1005 through 1029. Ten more followed in 1908 and 1909, bringing the total to 45.

With train weights typically ranging from 250 to 300 long tons, the locomotives reached average speeds in excess of 50 mph. On the incline between Settle and Carlisle, it was now possible to do without double-heading in some cases, while speeds of up to 85 mph could be run downhill. They were superheated from 1914, saving 25.9 and 22.3 percent on coal and water, respectively. All 45 survived the formation of British Railways, but by 1953 all were gone.