A Class J36, number 65267, at Bathgate in 1964

Class J36 number 65267 was photographed at Bathgate by my father in 1964. At that time there was a long line of withdrawn steam locomotives on one ot the sidings including another class J36, 65222 "Somme" which had been withdrawn in Nov. 1963.

Class J36 were 0-6-0 freight engines introduced on the North British Railway in 1888, and 168 were built between then and 1900. They were designed by M Holmes, who was the chief mechanical engineer on the NBR between 1882 and 1903. During the First World War 25 of these engines worked overseas, and were named after famous military leaders and places. One of these "Maude" BR no. 65243 is preserved in working order on the Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway in Scotland. It was built in 1891. The Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway has its home page at www.srps.org.uk/railway/.

Class J36 was long lived with many lasting until the early 1960's. In the summer of 1961, 74 were reported as still being in use. At that time however there was both a decline in local goods sevices, and breakneck dieselisation. The latter resulted in hundreds of steam locomotives a month being withdrawn in 1963. However, as late as 1964 six were reported as working out of Bathgate, with eight being reported as being in service until 1966. These late survivals may have been due to major failures of the then new Clayton diesels (TOPS class 17), for which delivery had to be actually stopped until their problems were sorted out.

 
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