The Class J39 typifies the traditional British heavy freight engine having a 0-6-0 wheel arrangement, a configuration which was favoured in the UK for over a century. Designed as a standard goods locomotive by Sir Nigel Gresley a total of 289 were constructed following their introduction in 1926. The class showed themselves to be one of the finest examples of the type ever built, with traction wheels six inches larger in diameter than that of their sister J38 Class. The J39 Class eventually became the largest class of LNER locomotives and could be seen over the greater part of the English region, with some minor exceptions. Throughout their working life, these locomotives were mainly used on freight services, a role for which they had been originally intended, although they were also utilized on passenger excursion traffic and emergency duties. Two main types of tender were used with these locomotives, the LNER Group Standard 3500 gallon & 4200 gallon types, the latter with either flat or stepped sides. Withdrawal of the entire class took place swiftly between 1959 & 1962, with not a single member of the class surviving into preservation.