Available exclusively here at Rails of Sheffield is the range of exquisite LNER Class J50 0-6-0T steam locomotives from Sonic Models, produced in partnership with Revolution Trains in N Gauge.
This impressive model, newly tooled for 2023, caters for the later-LNER produced J50/3 subclass (with steam brakes) and the J50/4 subclass with vacuum brakes. Eight variations are available to order in a selection of LNER and British Railways colour schemes - and what’s more every one is also available with our custom weathering too - replicating prototypically accurate filth!
The models all feature a similar drive to Sonic’s popular GWR 56xx as well as a detailed backhead in the cab and 6-pin DCC socket arranged such that a 90° decoder will ensure that the chip is largely hidden in normal use.
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Product Features
Highly detailed model with many separately fitted parts including handrails, pipework, sanding gear, footsteps, safety valve and more
Accurate tooling variations for J50/3 and J50/4 subclasses as well as other detail differences including GNR/ LNER buffers, open/ plated coal rails, plain/ fluted coupling rods and raised/ flush Ross pop valves
Digital capability - 6-pin DCC decoder socket - arranged such that a 90° decoder will ensure that the chip is largely hidden in normal use (recommended decoder 36-556RA)
Heavy diecast chassis
Coreless motor driving the centre axle - with all wheel pickups
Haulage capacity of 20-30 wagons
NEM Rapido-style couplings
Prototype Information
The story of this popular tank engine begins with the Great Northern Railway in 1913, when a need for short haul coal workings was identified in the West Ridings of Yorkshire.
Traditionally the GNR had used small saddle tank and tender locomotives for this purpose but the steeply graded lines of the region encouraged the company to develop locomotives with long side tanks and an 0-6-0 wheel arrangement - resulting in the GNR Class J23.
Designed by Sir Nigel Gresley, the J23s benefited from increased weight from their large tanks - which significantly aided in increasing rail adhesion, something of particular use on their intended routes. However, they also remained small enough to be useful for shunting.
30 examples were built between 1913 and 1919 using redundant boilers originally intended for the Ivatt Class R1 0-8-2Ts. A second batch of 10 followed along in 1922 with slightly larger boilers.
After grouping, the newly formed LNER decided to split the class in two - the original batch of J23s becoming J51s and the latter becoming J50s. As the J50s had been so successful in service, the LNER designated them as a group standard design and a further 52 were built between 1926 and 1939. The J51s were also rebuilt to the J50 standard between 1929 and 1935.
Additional examples were planned but wartime financial pressures forced the cancellation of any further construction.
This versatile class could mainly be found working coal and goods services in the Bradford area as well as at the larger West Riding marshalling yards. It was not unheard of for them to be used for the occasional passenger or banking duties either. As time went on, they found themselves spread further afield taking in much of the LNER network,
Every single J50 survived into BR ownership and found new roles on transfer workings and empty stock movements around London, with some later finding use in departmental roles too.
Sadly, despite their usefulness, the class was withdrawn and scrapped en-masse by the end of 1965, with not a single example entering preservation.