Rapido Trains UK have revealed the first engineering samples for their newly tooled range of LNER Class J52/2 0-6-0T steam locomotives in OO Gauge!
This new range will comprise of a whopping 13 different models in all sorts of Great Northern Railway, LNER and British Railways colour schemes which chart the entire history of these popular tank engines. One variation is also available exclusively here at Rails, depicting a departmental liveried locomotive.
We currently expect these new locos to arrive some time during Late 2025 and you can pre-order yours right now!
Pre-Order Now - Exclusive to Rails
Pre-Order Now - General Release
Product Features
Highly detailed model with separately fitted parts including handrails, lamp irons, safety valve, chimney, whistle, pipework and much more
Many accurate tooling variations including different chimneys, safety valves, domes, buffers, steps and handrail knobs
Can motor with flywheel
Plunger pickups
Sprung buffers
Fully detailed and painted cab interior
Firebox glow effect
Digital & Sound capability - NEXT-18 decoder socket with factory fitted speaker (Pre-fitted sound models available too)
Optional scale couplings
Diecast metal chassis block
Prototype Information
These started life on the GNR, where they were classified as J13 and based on the Stirling-designed J14 (which featured a domeless boiler). Of course, you can’t trust domeless engines, so Henry Ivatt refined this design with a more efficient and domed boiler variant. They would be fitted with a boiler the same length as the one on the J14, but had an increased diameter. The first J13s rolled off the factory floor in 1897 to work alongside their domeless counterparts on shunting duties.
Between then and 1909, a total of 85 of the class were produced, some at the GNR’s works at Doncaster, and others at a variety of contractors, such as R. Stephenson & Co. The updated design proved effective and as locos moved into LNER ownership many of the J14s were rebuilt as J13s.
Under the LNER the J13s that were domed from the day they were built were reclassified as the J52/2. The class became a common sight in North London, covering the North London Line, Kings Cross, and numerous marshalling yards up and down the country.
Plans were put into motion to scrap the J52s in the mid-1930s, however, this cull ceased when the war broke out in 1939, as any functional locomotive was pressed into service. With the introduction of numerous diesel shunters under the modernisation plan, the withdrawal of the J52s sadly continued.
In 1959 and only a couple of years before the entire class were scrapped, Captain Bill Smith stepped in and saved loco No. 68846 from its inevitable fate. He became the owner of the World’s very first privately owned BR steam locomotive, and the J52/2 earned itself a permanent place in the annals of railway preservation history. The aptly and affectionately named Old Lady would live on. Once in his possession, she was repainted into her beautiful pre-grouping guise and renumbered to the iconic 1247.
With a gorgeous livery, long service history and historical claim to fame, 1247 will always have a fond place in the hearts of travelling enthusiasts and preservation modellers alike. The Captain's decisive action showed that preservation was possible, and sparked a wave of like-minded enthusiasts to follow suit.