Expected Delivery Jun / Jul 2026 (Subject to Change at Manufacturer's Discretion).

The Great Central Railway was a big mover of goods and amongst the locomotives it built for this purpose were the 9J 0-6-0s. Nicknamed ‘Pom Poms’ because their exhaust noise sounded very similar to the guns of the same name, these freight workhorses are replicated in OO scale by Bachmann Branchline.

The 9Js carried all the hallmarks of a locomotive designed by the GCR’s Chief Mechanical Engineer John G. Robinson and these features are replicated on the Branchline model using a precision moulded boiler, smokebox and firebox mounted on a diecast metal running plate. The distinctive Robinson cab is another high-fidelity moulding, within which boiler backhead is replicated using an array of separately fitted pipework, controls and dials, all of which are enhanced further with bespoke decoration.

The GCR tender has a distinctive look too with its high capacity and flared top edges, and again these trademark features are captured in miniature using high-fidelity mouldings. Coupling to the locomotive via a drawbar that is adjustable to suit individual layout conditions, electrical connections are integrated into it and a hinged fallplate is also fitted to the tender. Across the model separate components are added, from the metal handrails and sprung metal buffers, to the lamp irons at the front and rear, to complete the look of this freight machine.

The locomotive’s diecast chassis is enhanced with brake blocks, brake rigging and sandboxes with separate wire sandpipes, whilst between the frames a representation of the inside motion is present. The black colour scheme with its ornate three-colour lining is reproduced to exquisite effect, with a rich and consistent finish throughout. The Great Central lettering and company crest on the tender is the icing on the cake, comprising no fewer than six separate colours and replicated using precision printing techniques for full authenticity.

The Branchline 9J runs as well as it looks thanks to a power full three pole motor and diecast metal gearbox. The locomotive driving wheels run in separate metal bearings and all six driving wheels are equipped with electrical pickups, tender pickups are included too. Meanwhile, with SOUND FITTED this model is ready to run on analogue and DCC systems and will provide a range of authentic sound effects to bring another level of realism to your model railway.

MODEL FEATURES:

• Bachmann Branchline OO Scale
• Era 2
• Pristine Great Central Railway Lined Black livery
• Running No. 295
• Smooth Smokebox Door with original Handwheel
• Top Front Lamp Iron mounted above the Smokebox Door
• Robinson Tapered Chimney
• Draught Retarder
• Original Tall Dome
• Ramsbottom Safety Valves
• Parallel Buffer Shanks with End Collars
• Central Rib on Cab Roof
• Tender fitted with Water Pick-Up Gear
• Powerful 3 Pole Motor
• Tender Pick-ups
• Adjustable Tender Drawbar
• NEM Coupling Pockets
• Sprung Buffers
• Accessory Pack
• Locomotive Ready to Accept a Speaker
• SOUND FITTED – Fitted with a ESU Loksound V5DCC 21 Pin DCC Sound Decoder
• Length 220mm (over couplings)

GCR 9J (J11) CLASS HISTORY

The Great Central Railway (GCR) Class 9J was the first goods locomotive to be designed by John. G. Robinson, the railway’s Chief Mechanical Engineer from 1900-1922. Between 1901 and 1910 a total of 174 locomotives were built and during the First World War, 18 were loaned to the Railway Operating Division and were shipped to France before returning home in 1919. The class quickly acquired the nickname ‘Pom-Poms’ as their exhaust noise sounded very similar to the ‘Pom-Pom’ quick-firing guns which were first used in the South African War.

In 1923 the GCR became part of the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER), and the 9Js were re-classified as J11. The LNER quickly began modifying J11s to meet the then-new composite rolling stock gauge, this included using several different boiler and dome modifications to reduce the overall height of the locomotive. Other changes during LNER ownership included the fitting of some group standard components, like Ross pop safety valves, to give increased commonality across the company’s vast locomotive fleet.

Whilst primarily a goods engine, the J11s were used on some passenger services and over time these duties increased. During LNER ownership the distribution of the fleet gradually broadened, with examples allocated to sheds like Retford and Barnsley, and some were even sent to the Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway.

The class survived to Nationalisation in 1948 when British Railways inherited the entire fleet, and it was not until 1954 that the first example was withdrawn. All had gone by 1962 however, and sadly none were saved for preservation.