LNER Class J38
# LNER Class J38

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All J38s were withdrawn between 1962 and 1967, with the last two in service being No. 65901 and No. 65929. These two engines were the last ones designed by Gresley to be withdrawn. All engines of this class were scrapped.

## Sources

* ↑ "The Gresley J38 0-6-0 Locomotives". LNER Encyclopedia. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
* Ian Allan ABC of British Railways Locomotives (1962 ed.).
