NBR J34 0-6-0 steam locomotive on shed
Drummond's 18in cylinder J32 proved to be a useful main line goods locomotive for the North British Railway (NBR). However, there was still a need for a smaller goods engine with greater route availability. This need was filled by the 17in cylinder NBR Class D (LNER J34) which was built between 1879 and 1883. The first batch of five were built by Dubs & Co in 1879, and they were followed by five more batches built at Cowlairs. A total of 101 J34s were built, and they were followed by the very similar Holmes J33. All of the J34s were rebuilt with new boilers between 1892 and 1908. The first rebuild received a Holmes cab, but the remaining J34s all retained their original Drummond cabs. The J34s proved to be very popular locomotives, and proved to be useful for a wide range of different duties. Although designed for goods workings, they were often used on everything from main line passenger work to yard shunting. By Grouping (1923), the J34s were being mainly used on local trip workings from collieries to marshalling yards. The J34's relatively low axle loading proved to be an asset on the lightly-laid colliery lines. Withdrawals started in April 1921, and a total of eight had been withdrawn by Grouping (1923). The LNER was quick to withdraw most of the remaining J34s and only eleven survived into 1926. These eleven were allocated to Bathgate (5), Thornton (3), Parkhead (1), Burntisland (1), and Polmont (1). The last two J34s were finally withdrawn on 11th January 1928. The example shown was withdrawn in June 1923 having been renumbered 10414 by the NBR before that.
Size: 3842px × 2407px
Location: Unknown
Photo credit: © Digbydachshund / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: &, 0-6-0, british, eastern, engine, j34, lner, locomotive, london, nbr, north, railway, steam, train
