J 94 LNER Numbering

[Peter M]

Can anyone point me to photos of j94s in LNER livery. I particularly need size and position of tank side lettering and number.
Specifically 8006

[Robpulham]

Hello Peter,

Yeadons volume 15 has a few good photos of J94's in LNER livery - sadly not 8006 but there is one of 8008 on page 4

[Caledonian]

Not a straightforward answer to this one and very heavily dependent on where and when. According to the RCTS Locomotives of the LNER part 8B they were delivered from the Ministry of Supply still painted in khaki with the WD number carried on the saddle tank and front buffer beam and the letters WD on the cab side.

Initially they were re-numbered but not repainted by the LNER and therefore remained in khaki until their first shopping when they were at last painted black

In the North Eastern Area they received shaded gold numerals and letters on the tank, per the recent Hornby version. As you'll know the tank has two transverse seams. The L N E R is centred with the L and R just outside the seams. Underneath, the digits are larger and more closely spaced and wholly confined within the two seams.

Those going through Gorton had plain Gill Sans letters and digits. A photo of 8064 shows them to be very large with both letters and digits the same size, unlike the North Eastern ones. The L is only very slightly forward of the safety valves, the N and first digit of the number are both under the dome, the E and last digit only slightly behind the second handrail stanchion and the R just abaft of the lum.

The Immingham ones were even more basic with the number on the bunker side in LMS style and no lettering. Photographs of all three styles appear in the book.

So far as 8006 is concerned it was of course an Immingham one, so would have been in khaki with its number on the bunker from September 1946 until August 1947 when it was not only shopped and presumably then painted black, but gained an extended bunker. Figure 91 in the book actually shows 8006 in September 1947 both with the extended bunker and the additional handrail, with the North Eastern style lettering on the tank - but of course no central set of footsteps - not added until British Railways days.

So far as modelling goes you therefore have two options according to your preferred date. You can either go for the original version with circular cab windows to the rear and no additional handrails at the front of the tank and paint it khaki with LMS style numbers on the bunker, or you can go for the post August 1947 version with extended bunker. Hornby don't currently do this version but it shouldn't be too difficult to find. Beware though, the extended bunker version does correctly feature a ladder on the back of the bunker, but it omits a narrow and slightly longer than usual set of footsteps standing proud of the buffer beam directly underneath the ladder [which seems only sensible when you think about it] - you will also of course need to remove the extra set of footsteps central to the running plate on both sides.

[Peter M]

Thank you both for your replies
All very informative, I must locate a copy of Yeadons
This is my first entry in the forum and I am very impressed with how quickly help was offered

Peter M

[52D]

Peter I think most guys on here are willing to help and when ive met fellow forum members ive always found them sociable.