OO Scale LNER J70/GER C53 Tram Engine

Model Contents:

1. 1x LNER J70/GER C53 Tram Body & Skirts
2. 1x LNER J70/GEr C53 Tram Roof with Pipework & Chimney

Model Kit Instructions :

Please note this kit is designed specifically for the Hornby 0-4-0 chassis. This is commonly found under the Smokey Joe Caledonian Pug, Class 06, Guest Keen & Nettlefolds and GWR 101 locomotives. You will need the chassis without outside valve gear, as it will be too big for the body. You will need to shorten the length of the chassis to under 63mm, as it will then fit the body shell.

In order to fit the chassis to the body, you will have to glue two locating lugs to the cut down chassis. These are shown in the product pictures.

History :

The LNER J70 (GER Class C53) was a class of twelve 0-6-0T steam tram locomotives designed by James Holden for the Great Eastern Railway. They passed to the London and North Eastern Railway at the grouping, and then later to British Railways.

They were used on the Wisbech and Upwell Tramway and the ports of Great Yarmouth and Ipswich from the 1930s to the 1950s. They replaced earlier GER Class G15 0-4-0 of similar appearance.

The first withdrawal was in 1942. The remaining locomotives were renumbered 8216–8226 in 1944. The remaining eleven locomotives passed to British Railways in 1948 on nationalisation, and had 60000 added to their numbers. Withdrawals restarted in 1949, slowly at first, then more quickly, and the last went in 1955.

The J70 was the inspiration for the character Toby the Tram Engine in The Railway Series by the Rev. W. Awdry, and the spin-off television series Thomas The Tank Engine & Friends.