In stock: Oxford Rail J26 0-6-0s
The long-awaited Oxford Rail NER P2 / LNER J26 0-6-0 locomotives in OO gauge have now arrived in stock. Most variants are currently being despatched to customers who pre-ordered, with the NER No. 1678 models in both DCC ready and DCC sound-fitted formats due to follow w/c August 18, 2025.
Browse and order your Oxford Rail J26 here
For customers who placed pre-orders and haven't received communication from us, please remember to check your spam or junk folders for payment notifications. Remaining stock is now available to order from our website, but as demand has been high, we recommend ordering promptly to avoid disappointment.
Browse and order your Oxford Rail J26 here
The Prototype – NER P2 / LNER J26
The J26 class, originally designated P2 by the North Eastern Railway (NER), was designed by Wilson Worsdell and introduced between 1904 and 1909. Built to handle heavy freight duties, these 0-6-0 locomotives were a development of the earlier P1 (later J25) design, with a slightly larger boiler and other refinements aimed at improving performance and efficiency.
A total of 50 locomotives were constructed at the NER’s Darlington Works. The design proved to be a strong and reliable workhorse, ideally suited to hauling coal and mineral trains across the North East’s demanding network. With their simple, robust design, the J26s were economical to operate and easy to maintain – attributes that ensured long service lives.
Following the Grouping of 1923, the locomotives entered LNER stock and were reclassified as J26. The class continued to excel in mineral traffic and general freight duties throughout the 1920s and 1930s. Many J26s were allocated to sheds across County Durham, Yorkshire, and Northumberland, where they became a familiar sight to railwaymen and enthusiasts alike.
During World War II, the J26s played a vital role in moving the heavy freight that kept Britain’s war effort supplied. After nationalisation in 1948, they entered British Railways service, still earning their keep on freight turns well into the 1950s and early 1960s.
Withdrawals began in the late 1950s as newer diesel traction arrived, but their durability was evident – the final members of the class were not retired until 1966. Unfortunately, none of the J26 class were preserved, making high-quality scale models like Oxford Rail’s all the more significant for enthusiasts wishing to capture this important chapter in NER history.
Browse and order your Oxford Rail J26 here
The Oxford Rail model
Oxford Rail’s all-new J26 models in OO gauge bring this classic freight locomotive to life with finely rendered detail, accurate proportions, and a wealth of separately-fitted components. Key features include:
- Highly detailed body and chassis with accurate rivet and panel work
- Fine profile wheels with prototypical spacing
- NEM coupling pockets for easy operation
- DCC Ready and DCC Sound-Fitted options
- Livery accuracy matched to photographic records of the prototypes
The first delivery covers several attractive NER, LNER, and BR-era liveries, making them suitable for layouts from the Edwardian era through to the final years of steam.
Browse and order your Oxford Rail J26 here
Perfect Pairings
For authentic train formations, the J26 pairs beautifully with:
- Accurascale NER 20T hoppers (new delivery expected September)
- Bachmann J71s & J72s – including our exclusive TMC customised weathered versions
- Other NER and LNER mineral wagons from Oxford Rail and other brands
Order Yours Today
With stock now here – and more arriving shortly – these models are ready to enhance your OO collection. Demand is already strong, and some versions are close to selling out, so don’t delay.
