Factfile: ‘J72’ 0‑6‑0T

Did Wilson Worsdell ever consider that locomotives to his design would be built 30 years after his death? He modified his brother Thomas’ ‘E’ 0‑6‑0T in 1898, fitting it with 4ft 1¼in driving wheels and 17in by 24in cylinders. He ordered 20 ‘E1s’ in 1898‑1899.

Vincent Raven, Worsdell’s successor, ordered a further 20 in 1914 and modified the design with a 6in longer bunker, deeper frames, different bufferbeams and Ross pop safety valves. A further ten were built at Darlington in 1920 and 25 were ordered from Armstrong Whitworth in 1921. Gresley then ordered a further ten from Doncaster in 1925. Further orders were due to be placed in the 1930s, but they were cancelled.

The class, now known as ‘J72’, spread its wings away from EX‑NER metals during the 1920s. Three worked around Neasden and Harrow‑on‑the‑hill. Others could be found at Birkenhead and Wrexham while six were sent to Scotland in 1932‑1934.

The design was one of several under consideration for Edward Thompson’s standard Light Shunting Locomotive. When Arthur Peppercorn replaced Thompson, he selected the design as part of the LNER’S 1946 locomotive building programme. The orders were deferred until after nationalisation, which is why a further 28 ‘J72s’ appeared in batches between 1949 and 1951. BR withdrew the last ‘J72s’ from mainstream service in 1964 but two were retained for Departmental duties. No. 69005 was withdrawn in 1966 and scrapped, but No. 69023, withdrawn in 1967, was saved. It’s currently under overhaul at the North Eastern Locomotive Preservation Group’s workshops in Darlington. Thanks to Nigel Hall and John Hunt of NELPG for their help with this review.