Class J36 no. 65267 in LNER days in the late 1940's
Photo: Rev. A W V Mace,
[reproduced by kind permission of Milepost 921/2,
Newton Harcourt, Leisc. LE8 9FH. from the book by
Colin Garratt, "The Golden Years of British Steam Trains - on
the work of the Rev. A W V Mace", 1995, ISBN 1 900193 05 1]
This locomotive was built in Cowlairs, Glasgow in 1892 by the North British Railway and introduced as NBR 358. In 1919 it was rebuilt with a slightly larger boiler and a side window cab. It was renumbered in 1925, following grouping as LNER no. 9358. In March 1946 it was renumbered 5267, during the LNER number rationalisation. Finally following nationalisation it was given its final number 65267 in August 1948.
When the above photograph was taken this locomotive was stationed at St. Margarets shed in Edinburgh and in the original print of the above picture this shed name can be clearly seen on the buffer beam. However, by October 1961 it was at Bathgate where it remained until withdrawal.
It was an extraordinarily long-lived locomotive not being finally withdrawn from service until late 1966. It thus spent 74 years in service and was the third longest lasting of this class. It was the fourth last J36 to be withdrawn and lasted until very near the end of steam in Scotland.