The 552 Class was in-fact, the most unusual 0-6-0 tender engines ever, having their footplate raised clear of the driving wheels, leaving them exposed.[1]Massey Bromley was replaced as Locomotive Superintendent by T. W. Worsdell at the same time as these 10 engines were being built, and Worsdell produced his own 0-6-0 design with the Y14 class/J15 class, the latter of which had larger boilers and smaller driving wheels, giving a higher tractive effort.[2]
Under James Holden, the 552 Class were given larger cylinders and newer boilers. By this time they were mostly relegated to ballast train duties. The entire class was withdrawn and scrapped between 1904 and 1906.[2]
^ abcBaxter, Bertram (2012). Baxter, David; Mitchell, Peter (eds.). British Locomotive Catalogue 1825–1923, Volume 6: Great Eastern Railway, North British Railway, Great North of Scotland Railway, Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway, remaining companies in the LNER group. Southampton: Kestrel Railway Books. ISBN 978-1-905505-26-5.
