Page "SR West Country and Battle of Britain classes" Paragraph 56

Despite these successes, the number of innovations introduced at the same time made the class unreliable and difficult to maintain.

A great deal of money was wasted on resolving the problems of a class designed for duties which might have been undertaken by cheaper 2-6-2 or 4-6-0 mixed-traffic locomotives.

Likewise more Light Pacifics were built than were actually needed, and was frequently undertaking tasks that would usually befit a much smaller locomotive.

An unusual but common sight on the Southern Region's railways west of Exeter during the winter months was of a Light Pacific hauling a local stopping service with a single carriage to destinations as diverse as Padstow and Wadebridge.

Finally, too much money was spent on the expensive rebuilding programme when dieselisation and modernisation meant the locomotives would have very limited operational lives in their new guise.