LNER J21 (NER Class C): First Look

Finally, we make good on our promise of 3 years ago and begin work on the LNER J21! Apologies that it took so long but this was by far the hardest locomotive that we have had to get hold of all of the information required and we will not start work until we can be sure of creating a detailed, high quality product.

But before we begin with WIP pictures, a little background information..

By 1885 the North Eastern Railway’s freight locomotives were in a dire state. Many were due for withdrawal and none were powerful enough to manage the increasing requirements. The New Locomotive Superintendent, T.W. Worsdell, set out to fix the NER’s issues by introducing a new locomotive based loosely on his previous GER J15 designs but also incorporating old Fletcher ideas and adding larger fireboxes, cylinders and cabs.

Production of the new NER Class C began in 1886 and carried until 1894. During this time a total of 201 locomotives were constructed for freight use under the NER. They featured 2 main variants; 171 Compounds (Class C) and 30 Simples (Class C1).
The Simple batches of Class C’s were introduced by T.W. Worsdell’s younger brother, W. Worsdell who took over the role of LS after T.W. retired due to poor health. W. did not like compound designs and when reports of coal savings by Compound locomotives fell short deemd that a programme of Compound to Single conversion for all NER locomotives should be considered.

The rebuilding of Class C's into Class C1's began in 1901 and took 12 years to complete at which point the entire class became known by as Class C. Many rebuilds featured Joy Valve Gear but 75 featured Stephenson’s Valve Gear alongside larger cylinders and piston valves. Many also received Superheaters in later years but with repairs and replacements any locomotive could just as easily lose any upgrades throughout its life.

In 1923 the NER was absorbed into the LNER and the Class C was reclassified as the J21. Under the LNER the J21’s would see a change from their mineral/freight intentions and would frequently pull passenger services. During this time they also received even more changes and upgrades.
Withdrawals of the J21 began in 1929 but surprisingly as many as 83 were still running when the railways were Nationalised in 1948, quite an incredible feat on the part of the Worsdell Brothers, and the last was withdrawn in April 1962.

The sole survivor, BR No. 65033, is currently preserved at NRM Shildon in BR Black livery and is awaiting funding for restoration to running status.

The J21 for Train Simulator will be published by our good friends at Steam Sounds Supreme who we are delighted to be working with again and who will be providing a top quality sound set for the locomotives.

There are so many variations of the J21, the most noticeable being the saturated and superheated boilers, but we usually start with a single variant and model that to completion before modifying and duplicating parts to make other versions. In this case we are starting with the non-superheated version with the shorter smokebox.

Note the side injectors which were moved to the cab in later years along with the original style of tall chimney which all-but vanished in later life due to gauging issues on the GER.

This image incorporates some later parts and is a bit of a mash up as it has parts for steam heating, air brakes, vacuum brakes and a mechanical lubricator. Many of these parts will be optional or based on specific times and locations as we attempt to do justice to the huge number of changes these engines went through during their 75 years of service.

More WIP images to come in the following weeks.