Exclusive J94 Austerity in O announced

Manufactured by Dapol, the new Rails of Sheffield exclusive follows other O Gauge J94 Steam Tank Locomotives to be released by Dapol to be available DCC Ready, DCC Fitted and with DCC Sound.

Prices are as follows:

• DCC Ready - £269.95
• DCC Fitted - £299.95
• DCC Sound - £399.95

Available to pre-order now, the new model is expected to arrive before the end of the year.

Key features:

• Firebox glow
• Five pole skew wound motor with flywheel vertically mounted in the firebox
• Slide in PCB accessed through the hinged smokebox door
• DCC Ready with 21-pin DCC decoder socket
• Plunger pick-ups from all six driving wheels
• Diecast chassis, footplate and coupling rods Sprung centre driving wheel to improve electrical pick up
• One-piece diecast saddle tank
• Diecast driving wheels with turned metal-plated tyres
• Fully working inside motion – including connecting rods with pistons and valve eccentrics
• Sprung buffers and 3-link couplings
• Two cab and bunker variations
• Full cab details
• Cab roof removable, secured by two magnets
• Two separate chimney versions
• Scale metal handrails
• Opening/posable cab doors
• “Warrington" etched nameplates will be supplied in the box

The Rails of Sheffield exclusive 'Warrington' WD150 War Department Green model joins an extensive Dapol range, all versions currently announced to be released, and also available before the end of the year, are as follows;

• J94 Austerity LNER Black 8006
• J94 Austerity BR Black British Railways 68023
• J94 Austerity BR Black Early Crest 6803
• J94 Austerity BR Black Late Crest 68012
• J94 Austerity WD Black 75061
• J94 Austerity Wemyss WPR Lined Brown No 15
• J94 Austerity NCB Lined Green Whiston
• J94 Austerity United Steel Lined Red No 22
• J94 Austerity Mech Navvies Red 71525
• J94 Austerity LMR Lined Blue Errol Lonsdale 196
• J94 Austerity 'Warrington' WD150 War Department Green

In 1942, Robert A. Riddles designed the J94 Austerity 0-6-0 to meet the country’s shunting needs. The first locomotive was built in 1943, with an eventual 377 being built.

After the war, the military kept 90 for their railway system. 75 were sold to the LNER being classified as J94, some with modified coal bunker and extra steps, with others sold for industrial use. Between 1948 and 1964, 77 new Austerity locomotives were built for the NCB, which continued in use into the 1970s, with a total of 70 entering preservation.