Entering traffic as E855 Robert Blake in November 1928, smoke deflectors were added a year later in November 1929 and the 'E' prefix was removed in July 1931. Following nationalisation, Robert Blake was renumbered as 30855 in February 1949 while in Malachite Green livery with an unnumbered tender, not receiving the early BR crest until repainted to BR Green in September 1950. The later BR crest was added in August 1958, with the Lions correctly facing left and right.