Hunslet “Austerity” Class

In 1942 during the early planning stages for the invasion of Europe, it was realised that large numbers of locomotives would have to be built and used on both British and European lines.

Locomotive production, which until this time had been restricted, was now a priority item and it now became necessary to select the most suitable types for the jobs in hand.

Robert Riddles was put in charge of the design work, and produced the WD Austerity 0-6-0ST design to meet the projected shunting needs which was based on a Hunslet engine that had been designed for the iron and steel industry.

The first locomotive completed at the Hunslet works in Leeds and was steamed in January 1943, and a total of 377 were built for the War Department over the next four years with other manufacturers contracted to maximise production.

Following the War, locomotives were used by the Army, National Coal Board, British Steel and many other industrial user with some being transferred to the LNER where they became known as Class J94.

The engines were so successful that construction for industrial use continued until 1964, by which time 464 had been built. Many continued in service at factories, quarries and mines until the mid-1970s and were snapped up by preserved railways across the country.

No 22

Built in 1956 by the Hunslet Engine Co. its original purpose was to haul trains for the National Coal Board. A powerful tank engine class, No. 22 was built to the design used to supply engines for the Ministry of Defence hence its description of “Austerity”. The locomotive officially retired from service in 1978 and was then purchased by the Appleby-Frodingham Railway Preservation Society in 1997. The Society then undertook a large-scale restoration project with No. 22 returning to steam in 2010 in the smart maroon livery of the United Steel Companies. She has since worked on several heritage railways and will be a regular performer on the NNR for the 2024 season.