R3230 LNER Class J15 '7524'

The Y14 Class locomotives introduced by the GER first entered service in 1883 but were re-classified as J15s after Grouping by the LNER and proved to be a very successful design mainly due to the simplicity of construction. So straightforward was the design that in 1913 the GER set the World record for erecting a stream engine in 9 hours and 45 minuets. The Class were also incredibly versatile as they could travel virtually anywhere on the GER due to their very low axle loading and even towards the end of their days the J15 locomotives continued to be a valuable asset.

During the Great War 43 of the Class were set to France and Belgium and all were returned, however one was eventually scrapped in 1920 sue to the locomotive being damaged beyond repair. Later in 1922 a further 16 were withdrawn which marked that start of the end of the Class but even so those that remained continued to be used for freight as well as other duties including passenger services over the next several years.

By Nationalisation in 1948, 127 of the J15 Class remained in service. These locomotives were mainly allocated to the East Anglia are and could be seen on shed at Stratford, March, Kings Lynn and Colchester, with only 71 remaining in service long enough for 60000 to be added to their LNER number. As the 1950 decade proceeded so the withdrawal of the Class continued. By 1962 only 15 of the Class remained and by the 16^th September of the same year the last remaining four were withdrawn.

Locomotive numbered 524 by the GER and which later became LNER 7524 in December 1925, was outshopped in October 1899 from Stratford and placed on shed at March. Over the locomotive’s operational life, 7524 was based in other parts of the GER area including Cambridge and Peterborough East. Unfortunately, 7524 was withdrawn from service in March 1936 and it is believed that the locomotive was scrapped later that year.