Renowned for their elegant design and impressive power, Maunsell’s Schools Class locomotives were the most powerful 4-4-0s to operate in the UK, earning a place in the hearts of railway enthusiasts. With a 5P power classification and a distinguished presence on Southern Region lines, their legacy is both celebrated and bittersweet, marked by their rapid withdrawal in December 1962 during the infamous “locomotive cull”. This book chronicles their final three years, from 1960 to 1962, with a striking collection of photographs and detailed notes on their allocations, withdrawals, and scrapping. This book contains images of all 40 members of the class.

Originally built for the Hastings line, the class later worked on cross-country and inter-regional services before modern engines rendered them obsolete. Though their careers were cut short, three preserved examples—30925 “Cheltenham,” 30926 “Repton,” and 30928 “Stowe”—keep their legacy alive. As these remarkable locomotives near their centenary, this book celebrates their charm and significance, preserving their memory for enthusiasts and historians alike.