Numbering is somewhat complicated. The LNWR used a numbering system based on the lowest available number, with the result that the numbers were scattered through the stock book. The London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) renumbered the engines into a more logical series. However, they also then continued to rebuild engines, which retained the numbers originally assigned by the LMS. British Railways (BR) inherited 98 locomotives in 1948 and numbered them in the range 48892-49384. The number series is not continuous because some numbers in the same range were given to G2A Class locomotives.[2]
Some were rebuilt back from Class G2a to Class G1 as they passed through heavy overhaul and received lower pressure boilers. Some were even purchased by the Railway Operating Division.[3]