LNER Class J38
class of 35 two-cylinder 0-6-0 locomotives
The London and North Eastern Railway Class J38 was a class of steam locomotive designed for freight transport. They were designed by Nigel Gresley and introduced in 1926. A total of 35 were built at the LNER's Darlington Works in 1926 and they were used in Scotland. All passed into British Railways ownership in 1948 and they were renumbered from 5900–5934 to 65900–65934.
The far more numerous J39 class was a later development, exchanging the J38's 4 ft 8 in (1.422 m) driving wheels with larger 5 ft 2 in (1.575 m). Some of the J38s were later rebuilt with J39 boilers.
Dimensions
BR Power classification: 6F
Locomotive weight: 58 long tons 19 cwt (132,000 lb or 59.9 t)
Tender weight: 44 long tons 4 cwt (99,000 lb or 44.9 t)
Boiler pressure: 180 psi (1,200 kPa)
Superheater: Yes
Cylinders: 20 in × 26 in (508 mm × 660 mm)
Driving wheel diameter: 4 ft 8 in (1.422 m)
Tractive effort: 28,415 lbf (126,400 N)
Valve gear: Stephenson
piston valves
Withdrawal
All J38s were withdrawn between 1962 and 1967, with the last two in service being No. 65901 and No. 65929. These two engines were the last Gresley-designed steam locomotives in service, and all were scrapped.
“LNER Class J38” enters the record as class of 35 two-cylinder 0-6-0 locomotives. Crown Archives preserves that source wording while asking what LNER, Class and class can confirm, complicate or overturn.
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