LNER Class J39

LNER Class J39

300px No. 4965 at Grantham Shed 1947

Type and origin Power type Steam Designer Nigel Gresley Build date 1926-1941 Total produced 289

Specifications Configuration 0-6-0 UIC class Ch Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Driver diameter 62 in (1.575 m) Loco weight 57.85 long tons (58.8 t; 64.8 short tons) Fuel type Coal Water cap Various Boiler pressure 180 psi (1.24 MPa) Cylinders Two, inside Cylinder size 20 in × 26 in (508 mm × 660 mm) Valve gear Stephenson Valve type piston valves

Performance figures Tractive effort 25,665 lbf (114.16 kN)

Career Operators London and North Eastern Railway British Railways Class LNER: J39 BR: 4P5F Disposition All scrapped

The London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) Class J39 was a class of medium powered 0-6-0 steam locomotive designed for mixed traffic work throughout the former LNER system between London and the north of Scotland.

History

The class was introduced by Nigel Gresley in July 1926, based on his previous Class J38 (introduced in January 1926) but with larger driving wheels. The larger wheels enabled them to be used on both passenger and freight trains, although at the expense of a lower tractive effort. As a result they were given the BR power classification 4P/5F, rather than the 6F of the earlier class. A total of 289 examples were built over next fifteen years.

The larger wheels necessitated the provision of low splashers over the front two wheels, which is the main means of differentiating between the two classes. The locomotives were all fitted with superheaters and Ross 'Pop' safety valves.

File:Lincoln, Pelham St. Level-Crossing geograph-2875885-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg

J39/2 No. 64898 at Lincoln, Pelham St. Level-Crossing 21 May 1956

All passed into British Railways ownership in 1948 and they were numbered 64700-64988. They began to be withdrawn from service in 1959 and all examples had been scrapped by the end of 1962.

Sub-classes

File:Immingham Locomotive Depot with J39 geograph-2875921-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg

J39/3 No. 4973 at Immingham Locomotive Depot 21 September 1947.

The class was divided into three sub-classes depending on the type of tender fitted.

• J39/1 Standard LNER 3500 gallon tender.
• J39/2 Standard LNER 4200 gallon tender.
• J39/3 Various former North Eastern Railway tenders 3940-4125 gallons.

Accidents and incidents

• Circa 1930, locomotive No. 1448 was derailed by trap points at Lumpsey Colliery, Brotton, Yorkshire.
• On 28 August 1950, the connecting rod of a locomotive of this class became detached and consequently pierced the firebox, scalding the driver.
• On 23 October 1950, locomotive No. 64880 was hauling a passenger train that was derailed at Drumburgh, Cumberland due to the condition of the track. Two people were killed and three were injured.

Preservation

None have survived to preservation but there are plans to build a replica of an LNER J39,(BR 64960) along with a J38, for preservation in a few years to come.

In model form

Bachmann manufactures the J39/2 version in 00 gauge model form. [1]

Bassett-Lowke manufactures the J39/2 version in 0 gauge model form.

Union Mills manufactures the J39 in British N-Scale

Graham Farish-Bachmann manufactures the J39 in N Scale|British N-Scale as BR black with late crest & stepped tender numbered as 64841 and 64880

Sources

• Ian Allan ABC of British Railways Locomotives, 1962 edition.
• H.C. Casserley, The Observers book of railway locomotives of Britain, Federick Warne & Co. Ltd. 1960.
• W.T. Stubbs and M.G. Boddy, Locomotive stock book 1963, Railway Correspondence and Travel Society, 1963.

External links

• LNER encyclopedia
• Railuk database for J39/1, J39/2 and J39/3