NER Class E1

NER Class E1 LNER Class J72
69007 at Sunderland South Dock depot
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer Wilson Worsdell Builder Darlington Works (78) Armstrong Whitworth (25) Doncaster Works (10) Build date 1898–1951 Total produced 113
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 0-6-0T Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Driver dia. 4 ft 1+1⁄4 in (1.251 m) Loco weight 38.6 long tons (39.2 t) Fuel type Coal Boiler pressure 140 lbf/in2 (0.97 MPa) Cylinders Two, inside Cylinder size 17 in × 24 in (432 mm × 610 mm)
Performance figures Tractive effort 16,760 lbf (74.55 kN)
Career Operators North Eastern Railway London and North Eastern Railway British Railways Power class 2F Axle load class LNER/BR: Route availability 2 Withdrawn 1958–1964 Disposition One preserved, remainder scrapped

The North Eastern Railway Class E1, classified as Class J72 by the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER), is a class of small 0-6-0T steam locomotives designed by Wilson Worsdell for shunting. They had inside cylinders and Stephenson valve gear.

They were a development of the earlier NER Class E (LNER Class J71) 0-6-0T designed by T.W. Worsdell who was Wilson Worsdell's brother.

History

Build dates

A total of 113 locomotives were built:

• 1898–1899, 20 locos built by NER at Darlington Works
• 1914, 20 locos built by NER at Darlington Works
• 1920, 10 locos built by NER at Darlington Works
• 1922, 25 locos built for NER by Armstrong Whitworth & Co
• 1925, 10 locos built by LNER at Doncaster Works
• 1949–1951, 28 locos built by British Railways at Darlington Works

This is a rare, possibly unique, example of a locomotive class which was built, completely unchanged, under pre-grouping, post-grouping and British Railways administration.

Numbering

British Railways numbers were:

• 68670-68754 (pre-nationalisation locos)
• 69001-69028 (new locos)

Preservation

No. 69023 (Departmental No. 59) was purchased by Mr. R. Ainsworth. It is owned by the North Eastern Locomotive Preservation Group. It has worked on several preserved railways. In contrast to the normal black paint finish, this loco operates in a hybrid NER/LNER/BR apple green paint scheme. It re-entered service in 2010 and visited many heritage railways. No. 69023 is now based on the Wensleydale Railway but returns to the NELPG's base at Hopetown Carriage Works, Darlington for winter maintenance.