diff --git a/applications/test/sort/sortListTest.C b/applications/test/sort/sortListTest.C
index 441e093319..89252ae1f3 100644
--- a/applications/test/sort/sortListTest.C
+++ b/applications/test/sort/sortListTest.C
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ Description
 
 \*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
 
-#include "labelList.H"
+#include "SortableList.H"
 
 using namespace Foam;
 
@@ -35,16 +35,40 @@ using namespace Foam;
 
 int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 {
-    labelList a(5);
-    a[0] = 7;
-    a[1] = 4;
-    a[2] = 1;
-    a[3] = 2;
-    a[4] = 9;
+    labelList orig(5);
+    orig[0] = 7;
+    orig[1] = 4;
+    orig[2] = 1;
+    orig[3] = 2;
+    orig[4] = 9;
 
+    labelList a(orig);
     Info << "before: " << a << endl;
     sort(a);
-    Info << "after: " << a << endl;
+    Info << "after:  " << a << endl;
+
+    SortableList<label> b(orig);
+    Info << "sorted:  " << b << endl;
+    Info << "indices: " << b.indices() << endl;
+
+    Info << "shrunk:  " << b.shrink() << endl;
+    Info << "indices: " << b.indices() << endl;
+
+    // repeat by assignment
+    b = orig;
+    Info << "unsorted: " << b << endl;
+    b.sort();
+
+    Info << "sorted:   " << b << endl;
+    Info << "indices:  " << b.indices() << endl;
+
+    // transfer assignment
+    b.transfer(orig);
+    Info << "unsorted: " << b << endl;
+    b.sort();
+
+    Info << "sorted:   " << b << endl;
+    Info << "indices:  " << b.indices() << endl;
 
     Info << "End\n" << endl;
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/containers/Lists/SortableList/SortableList.C b/src/OpenFOAM/containers/Lists/SortableList/SortableList.C
index 25137d47e2..cb6c1571d3 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/containers/Lists/SortableList/SortableList.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/containers/Lists/SortableList/SortableList.C
@@ -26,6 +26,11 @@ License
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Constructors  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
+template <class Type>
+Foam::SortableList<Type>::SortableList()
+{}
+
+
 template <class Type>
 Foam::SortableList<Type>::SortableList(const UList<Type>& values)
 :
@@ -34,6 +39,7 @@ Foam::SortableList<Type>::SortableList(const UList<Type>& values)
     sort();
 }
 
+
 template <class Type>
 Foam::SortableList<Type>::SortableList(const xfer<List<Type> >& values)
 :
@@ -83,6 +89,14 @@ void Foam::SortableList<Type>::clear()
 }
 
 
+template <class Type>
+Foam::List<Type>& Foam::SortableList<Type>::shrink()
+{
+    indices_.clear();
+    return static_cast<List<Type>&>(*this);
+}
+
+
 template <class Type>
 void Foam::SortableList<Type>::sort()
 {
@@ -108,6 +122,14 @@ void Foam::SortableList<Type>::sort()
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Operators  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
+template <class Type>
+void Foam::SortableList<Type>::operator=(const UList<Type>& rhs)
+{
+    List<Type>::operator=(rhs);
+    indices_.clear();
+}
+
+
 template <class Type>
 void Foam::SortableList<Type>::operator=(const SortableList<Type>& rhs)
 {
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/containers/Lists/SortableList/SortableList.H b/src/OpenFOAM/containers/Lists/SortableList/SortableList.H
index 69360d0058..01cdce3780 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/containers/Lists/SortableList/SortableList.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/containers/Lists/SortableList/SortableList.H
@@ -64,6 +64,9 @@ public:
 
     // Constructors
 
+        //- Null constructor, sort later (eg, after assignment or transfer)
+        SortableList();
+
         //- Construct from UList, sorting immediately.
         explicit SortableList(const UList<Type>&);
 
@@ -102,12 +105,19 @@ public:
         //- Clear the list and the indices
         void clear();
 
+        //- Clear the indices and return a reference to the underlying List
+        List<Type>& shrink();
+
         //- (stable) sort the list (if changed after construction time)
-        //  also resizes the indices if required
+        //  also resizes the indices as required
         void sort();
 
     // Member Operators
 
+        //- Assignment from UList operator. Takes linear time.
+        void operator=(const UList<Type>&);
+
+        //- Assignment operator. Takes linear time.
         void operator=(const SortableList<Type>&);
 
 };