TT3027M BR (Early) - J50 Class - 68958

Hot on the heels of the first run of J50’s, is this BR (Early) J50 Class 68958 tank engine for your TT:120 collection. Moulded in both die-cast and plastic, this characterful locomotive looks and performs excellently thanks to all-wheel pickups and a smooth coreless motor. For those operating on DCC, a 6-Pin decoder socket is located within the boiler and is compatible with HM7000. 

This example depicts No.68958 in BR Black livery, with early emblems on the tank sides.

Model Specification:

• Based on new J50 tooling suite
• Expertly moulded die-cast body and chassis for added realism and weight
• Number of separately fitted parts, including smokebox door, water filler caps, chimney, safety valves, handrails, lamp irons and buffers.
• Brass double-jointed connector rods with metal securing pins
• Detailed cab interior
• Pivoting NEM sockets for improved coupling around tight curves
• Precision-engineered coreless motor for smooth running
• All-wheel pick-ups
• Accessory pack
• Capable of traversing 1st radius curves, but recommended minimum is 2nd radius.

Electronics:

• 6-Pin DCC Decoder socket compatible with HM7000 system.

Tooling:

• Smokebox door numberplate
• Coal rails

Livery:

• BR Plain Black Livery
• ‘Cycling Lion’ Early Emblem on tank sides
• Authentic colours and typefaces used
• Semi-gloss finish
• Era 4.

Hornby Recommends:

• 7 Plank Wagon
• 12T Tank Wagon
• Toad B Brake Van.

History:

Gresley designed the ‘J23’ for the Great Northern Railway to meet the need for an engine that could work short-haul coal traffic in the West Riding of Yorkshire, as well as being suitable for shunting. The type continued to be built by the LNER after the Grouping in 1923 when they became the ‘J50’ Class. 

This locomotive was built at Gorton Works and entered traffic in April 1939 as No. 615, later to become No. 8985 in 1946, and then BR’s No. 68985, but didn’t receive its new number until January 1951. It is this condition, in early BR livery, that the model is presented.