NER Class 290

The NER Class 290 (LNER Class J77) was a class of 0-6-0T steam locomotives of the North Eastern Railway (NER), rebuilt from an earlier class of 0-4-4T, the NER Bogie Tank Passenger (BTP, later LNER Class G6).

NER Class 290 LNER Class J77
No. 68391 (ex. 953) was built in 1874 and rebuilt in 1904 - it survived until 1957. Middlesbrough Locomotive Depot 1953
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer Edward Fletcher reb.Wilson Worsdell Rebuilder NER, York NER, Darlington Rebuild date 1899–1921 Number rebuilt 60
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 0-6-0T Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Driver dia. 4 ft 1.25 in (1.251 m) Length 29 ft 9.25 in (9.0742 m) Loco weight 43 long tons (44 t) Fuel type coal Fuel capacity 2.25 long tons (2.29 t) Water cap. 700 imp gal (3,200 L; 840 US gal) Firebox: ​  • Grate area 12.8 sq ft (1.19 m2) Boiler pressure 160 psi (1,100 kPa) Cylinders two inside Cylinder size 17 in × 27 in (430 mm × 690 mm)
Performance figures Tractive effort 17,560 lbf (78,100 N)

History

Large numbers of the NER G6 0-4-4WT class were made redundant during the 1890s. Forty of these were rebuilt as 0-6-0T shunting locomotives at York Works between 1899 and 1904. Ten further were rebuilt at Darlington, in 1907-8 and a further ten in 1921.

Equipment

The G6 BTP were built with Westinghouse brakes. These were replaced with steam brakes on all but two of the J77s (Nos. 37 and 1437). These were removed in the late 1930s. Twelve of the J77s received vacuum brakes after 1945. This fitting was usually accompanied by the addition of carriage heating equipment.

Use

They were used for general shunting and marshalling coal trains. Withdrawals started in 1933 but 45 survived into British Railways ownership in 1948. Their BR numbers were 68390-68440 (with gaps).

Withdrawal

Most were withdrawn during the 1950s and replaced by diesel shunters. The last J77 to be withdrawn was No. 68408 of South Blyth in February 1961. None were preserved.