TT3025M Hornby J50 Class 0-6-0T Steam Loco number 2793 LNER

New release - pre-orders invited - expected during November 2024. preauthkernow

The Gresley designed J50 Class eventually comprised 102 locomotives, with design variations such as brakes, driving positions, boilers and bunker sizes resulting in four class parts. Serving across the LNER from Eastfield in Scotland, to Cambridge, where there was hard work to be done, a J50 was invariably on hand to do it.

Built new in 1922 and 1924, twenty locomotives of the LNER J50 Class utilised a stock of second hand standard 4’ 5” boilers, becoming J50/2 and by 1926 had become the company’s Group Standard type. Fifty two more locomotives were built, thirty eight at Doncaster Works as J50/3 and fourteen at Gorton, as J50/4, between 1926 and 1939. The thirty GNR J23 locomotives from 1914-1919 were eventually re-classified by the LNER as J50/1s.

In 1946, the class received their LNER re-numbering from 8890 to 8991, all surviving to Nationalisation to receive their British Rail numbering in the 60000 range. Withdrawals started in September 1958 and was completed by 1963, with six being transferred to Departmental use afterwards. These locomotives survived until around May 1965, No. 68961 Departmental No. 14 being the last to go in September 1965.

No. 2793 was one of several locomotives that were built at Doncaster Works. It was part of an order of six J50 locomotives to the order number 318 and its works number was 1739. The locomotive entered service in April 1930 to start its duties as a reliable tank engine. As part of the LNER re-numbering scheme in 1946, 2793 became 8976. At the advent of BR nationalisation in January 1948, the locomotive was allocated to Annesley shed (ANN). A year later, in April 1949, BR renumbered the locomotive to 68976. Throughout its working life, several shed reallocations took place where the locomotive was moved to Hornsey (34B), New England (34E) and finally Doncaster (36A) on 9 June 1962. After its withdrawal from service in September 1962, the locomotive became Departmental No. 16 for use as a steam shunter. After 32 years of service, the locomotive was scrapped on 30 May 1965.

The Hornby J50 model sports an imposing LNER Black livery and represents the prototypical locomotive at the start of its working life. Featuring all wheel pickups and an ABS cab area, this model is also DCC Ready with a 6-pin socket and includes a 3-pole motor