The Stirling J7 (GNR Class J9) 0-6-0 Locomotives

Stirling designed these locomotives to haul heavy coal trains over the steep gradients found in the West Riding. They were generally similar to the "Standard Goods" (LNER J4) locomotives, but had smaller wheels. Two variants were built. The first variant was classed as GNR Class J10, and they were fitted with small Stirling cabs and 4ft 2.5in diameter boilers. Eight of these engines were built between 1883 and 1888. Shortly after Stirling died, ten of the second variant (GNR Class J9) were built in 1896. These had wider cabs and 4ft 5in diameter domeless boilers.

Only three of the original GNR J10s survived to Grouping (1923), and these had already been rebuilt with the 4ft 5in diameter domed boilers and reclassified as GNR J9. Seven of the original J9s survived to Grouping. Although the remaining locomotives had two different cab types, all ten were fitted with the same 4ft 5in domed boiler, and the LNER classed them all as Class J7.

Between 1924 and 1926, the LNER reboilered five of the J7s with new 4ft 8in diameter domed boilers of Diagram 8. These new boilers were of the type then being used on the J3 rebuilds.

The J7s were initially used on the heavily graded lines around Leeds and Bradford, for which they were designed. It is this work which gave them the name of "West Riding Goods Engines". By Grouping (1923), they had been partially replaced by the Ivatt 0-8-0s (LNER Q1,Q2 & Q3). The allocation at this time was divided evenly between the West Riding District and Colwick. The LNER only used the remaining J7s on light local duties. Withdrawals started in 1927, and were completed by 1936 when No. 4027 was withdrawn from Ardsley.

Technical Details

Preservation

None of the J7s survived into preservation.

Models

London Road Models sell a kit of the J7 for 4mm scale.