The Gresley-designed J50 Class was eventually made up of 102 locomotives, with design variations in the brakes, driving positions, boilers and bunker sizes resulting in four class parts. These locomotives served across the LNER from Eastfield in Scotland to Cambridge. If there was hard work to be done, a J50 was invariably on hand to do it.

Built new in 1922 and 1924, 20 locomotives of the LNER J50 Class used a stock of second-hand standard 4’ 5” boilers, becoming J50/2. By 1926, they were the company’s group standard type. Fifty-two more locomotives were built; 38 at Doncaster Works as J50/3 and 14 at Gorton, as J50/4, between 1926 and 1939. The 30 GNR J23 locomotives from 1914-1919 were eventually re-classified by the LNER as J50/1s.

In 1946, the class received their LNER renumbering from 8890 to 8991, all surviving to nationalisation to receive their British Rail numbering in the 60000 range. Withdrawals started in September 1958 and were completed by 1963, with six transferred to departmental use afterwards. These locomotives survived until around May 1965, No. 68961 Departmental No. 14 being the last to go in September 1965.

No. 68983 was built at Gorton Works and entered service in January 1939 under LNER as No. 608. This was the second batch of 14 J50 locomotives constructed at Gorton Works as all the previous members of the class were built at Doncaster Works. It was fitted with vacuum brakes.

The locomotive's running number was amended under LNER to 8983 in April 1946. After nationalisation in 1948, the locomotive was under BR ownership and was allocated to Sheffield Darnall (SHF) shed in January 1948. It saw another renumbering change to 68983 in July 1950. There was a shed reallocation to Hornsey (34B) in November 1952 and then a final reallocation to Doncaster (36A) in July 1961. After 23 years, the engine was withdrawn from service on 24 April 1962.

The Hornby J50 model sports an imposing BR Black livery with a BR early crest emblazoned on the bodysides. Featuring all wheel pickups and an ABS cab area, this model is also DCC-ready with a six-pin socket and includes a three-pole motor.