NER Class BTP, LNER G6

The class was built with the aim of providing reliable services on branch passenger trains, and until the advent of the 'O' class (LNER class G5), from 1894 did just that. Some 120 were built, 12 by Neilson and Co, 20 by R & W Hawthorn and the remainder by the NER Co's works at Gateshead, Darlington and York. The contractor built engines were easily distinguishable from those built by the NER, the Neilson batch had a large cab cut out and integral splashers and sandboxes, while those from Hawthorns had a double cut out in the splasher fronts.

With the class 'O' engines taking over much of the original work of the BTP's, many became redundant, and from 1899, sixty were rebuilt to 0-6-0's of class 290, the final conversions taking place in 1921. As boilers became worn out, they were replaced by a more modern design, from 1888 onwards. Not all were treated before some BTP's were rebuilt to class 290 (LNER class J77), receiving Worsdell boilers at the same time. At the time the boilers were replaced, the engines were also fitted with Worsdell boiler fittings, chimneys, together with new smoke boxes and whistles on the cab roof.

From 1905 onwards, a total of at least thirty seven BTP's were fitted at one time or another for working with auto-coaches, first with one and subsequently with two, either end of the engine.

Apart from those rebuilt, there were no more changes to the numbers of BTP's in service, until withdrawals started in 1920, and all were gone by 1929.

The body is etched in brass and the boiler is supplied ready rolled. Parts and fittings are included in the kit to enable the modeller to build most of the Worsdell rebuilt engines, although substantial modification will be needed to model those built originally by Neilsons. These had much larger cut outs to the cab sides and sand boxes integral with the wheel splashers. The chassis is designed to be compensated and is supplied with hornguides and bearings. It is designed on a twin beam system to overcome the problems inherent in an 0-4-4 due to weight balance and works very well. The fittings are mainly lost wax castings along with a few whitemetal ones. The kit comes with sprung buffers.

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