Rapido 958007 Stirling 0-6-0 J52/2 Class 68817 In British Railways Black Livery - OO Gauge

Description 958007 Stirling 0-6-0 J52/2 68817 In British Railways Livery   History The Stirling 0-6-0ST J52 J53   Intended primarily for shunting duties, the J52s and J53s were mainly allocated to large marshalling yards. By Grouping (1923), they were allocated to Kings Cross (28), Hornsey (24) New England (21), Doncaster (28), Ardsley (14), Bradford (14), Colwick (6), Grantham (1), Lincoln (1), and Manchester (4). With the introduction of further J50s immediately after Grouping, the West Riding locomotives moved to Hornsey and Colwick. The J52 and J53 saddletanks were a common sight in Northern London. As well as shunting at Kings Cross, they worked the incline at Maiden Lane up to the North London line. They were also a familiar sight at Finsbury Park, Hornsey, Ferme Park, and New England. Withdrawals of the J52s started in 1936 but were halted at the outbreak of war in 1939. 132 ( 1 departmental) J52s would remain in service until after Nationalisation (1948) when withdrawals re-commenced in 1950 with the arrival of large numbers of diesel shunters. Withdrawals were completed by 1961.