The Best Value Tender Freight Loco? Hornby Class J15 in BR Black Review

Our sponsor today is Train-O-Matic, who produce the best DCC chips I've used. Visit their site at www.train-o-mat... to see their full range of products! Also available through UK stockist: www.tramfabriek...
If you like this locomotive and fancy one for yourself, here are some links to help you out:
Class J15 in BR Black (Early Emblem): bit.ly/34Cz93W
Class J15 in BR Black (Late Crest): bit.ly/3bbGZEj
Class J15 in LNER Black: bit.ly/2RBlMf4
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[@timwills4481]

Excellent and very informative. I'm talking myself into getting back in British railway modeling (I live in Chicago), and am watching videos to learn about current products. The air pump does look like an American Westinghouse. A Great Eastern Railway president or chairman (if I remember right) was an American with surname Thornton, who had worked for Pennsylvania Railroad. This might explain the use of air brakes by GE instead of vacuum braking.

[@JenniferEKirk]

NOTTOBE NAMED some companies used westinghouse air brakes. I believe the SECR did too.

[@carlinemark5331]

Just bagged one of these beauties from Colletts model shop in Exmouth for £59.99 plus £4.50 p + p. Thank you Jenny for the very informative and in depth review. This has got to be one of the best bargains of 2020 so far !

[@JenniferEKirk]

Carline Mark agreed!

[@MrDavil43]

I recall the J15's were frequently used on passenger trains in deepest East Anglia. Lovely looking locos, as were the 2-4-0 E4 versions that were designed for passenger work. I keep hoping that Hornby will bring out one of these as well. Good review, Jenny, and I agree with your observations. Having said that, I have weathered my own one quite heavily!

[@JenniferEKirk]

Davil the E4 version would be a welcome RTR addition.

[@cliffordison5004]

Because of this super video Jenny I was tempted and bought one from Colletts of Exmouth. I have been stunned by it in every way. You mentioned using a J36 TTS kit and that is what I have done. The provided speaker is an exact fit in the tender space provided just above the wheels. I will not know it is J36 sound when I am running it it sounds fab go me. Thank you for tempting me with a loco I had not even thought about. Keep up the good work and stay safe!

[@phil36310]

Hi Jennifer, Thanks for a fine review. Your 'value' confirms my opinion. I have one running on the layout for quite some time now. I've put a TTS in - a bit fiddly though. But it is indeed a characterful and wonderful 'little' loco. Running ever so smooth. Together with my K1 it's top score from Hornby. Greetings

[@MattyP62618]

Lovely loco. I've been on the footplate of the one preserved example at the North Norfolk Railway! I need to get one; would look great with my D16/3's...

[@JenniferEKirk]

Matty Patty you know you want one!

[@timwebster8122]

That footplate is a grim place running tender first in winter with the wind blowing the snow off the sea

[@lachd2261]

Thanks Jenny - just spotted a BR early crest version on sale at Hattons again for only £79. I was powerless to resist!

[@patrickwebb7311]

I love the look of the J15. Good video as always Ms. Kirk

[@JenniferEKirk]

Patrick Webb thanks!

[@johngondol8940]

Nice review Jenny. I have one in LNER scheme and the boiler does not have that strange section that you found. Mine is all satin black. I am going to install a TTS sound chip for a J36, until Hornby hopefully markets a J15 TTS sound chip. Really good value as you said and a simply lovely little engine. Stay safe, stay healthy.

[@JenniferEKirk]

John Gondol the J36 chip should be a reasonable approximation. The fitting for a TTS speaker suggests that a J15 chip is on their radar.

[@maxheadroom7687]

Great review Jenny! Might just have to get one now! Been eyeing them off for a while, keep up the good work, really enjoy your videos.All the best from Western Australia, stay safe.😎👍🇦🇺

[@JenniferEKirk]

Stephen Wratten thanks!

[@lifestyleunleashed8046]

These are lovely locomotives. Nicely weighted

[@JenniferEKirk]

Lifestyle Unleashed very much so. Built just like Hornby Dublo did.

[@martinpattison4018]

A very nice loco, I believe there is one in LNER livery which I would like to own. Like a lot of people who are not working there is no money. Thank you, Jenny, for a nice review. Martin. (Thailand)

[@JenniferEKirk]

Martin Pattison yes there is an LNER version too.

[@lesbird2074]

A particularly well made locomotive which probably explains why I have four of therm one of which I picked up for just £75.

[@JenniferEKirk]

Les Bird indeed! They are tempting. I quite fancy the other BR version.

[@4kandles]

The J15 is a wonderfully smooth slow runner .. excellent review.

[@SteveZodiac777]

Thanks for a great review. I have one of these on order and your review has really whetted my appetite!

[@BeauMinnick]

Now great Jenny I had to go buy a LNER one from Hattons. Thanks for twisting my arm.

[@JenniferEKirk]

Beau Minnick you’re welcome!

[@paultorrey]

Very nice loco and great job on the review.

[@paulbow7176]

I've got one of these, fab little loco👍

[@maltnz]

Just got the late BR version today - that matt "saddle" is there but far less obvious than yours and is only visible when viewed at an angle under bright light. If I had not seen your video I would most likely not have noticed. But it is a beautiful little loco and I'm really chuffed (pun intended) with it.

[@donharsh5469]

Awesome Jenny and I looks great 😊 cool 😎 little locomotive I like it and your doing good job Jenny and be safe 👍😎 AWESOME video 😍❤️👍👍👍👍😎 videos and I think you awesome 👍😁

[@JenniferEKirk]

Don Harsh thanks!

[@jamesgilbart148]

Very attractive loco. I wonder what Hornby would say about the non-matching matt boiler panel?

[@JenniferEKirk]

James Gilbart I will get round to asking.

[@PaulSmith-pl7fo]

Hi Jenny. Another great review video. My one gripe is that, if you are going to do an instruction video on fitting a DCC decoder, why prefit one and leave it in place? Why not show the process in its entirety?

[@MrHipwell1989]

Hi Jennifer. Sorry if I missed it in your video, but does this have tender pickups? Rails of Sheffield website suggests not, not it looks to me like it has..

[@gordonmcillroy455]

Jenny I have to ask. There seemed to be a floating purple wire that wasnt connected to anything. What was that for?

[@JenniferEKirk]

Gordon McIllroy that’s an additional aux function that isn’t used.

[@JDsHouseofHobbies]

I just ordered one from Hatton's #65469 and I think that I bought their last one. Greetings from the US!

[@AdiPullen]

hi jenny/zoe these are fantastic models by hornby no issues with them here some info of the loco (it what i do on my reviews) hope you dont mind? ger class y14 ger number 549 (31/8/19113) lner 1924 number 7549 lner 1946 number 5477 br 65477 built 31/8/1913 withdrawn 29/2/1960 life working roughly 46 years 6 months 8 days only shed code i can find is 31 a cambridge sorry if it too greeky keep safe arp

[@JenniferEKirk]

Adi Pullen thanks for the info!

[@modelrailwaynoob]

I bought one for a ROD conversion

[@JenniferEKirk]

Model Railway Noob interesting - how many went into service with the ROD?

[@modelrailwaynoob]

@@JenniferEKirk 43 in France and Belgium (GER Y14). I understand that they all made it back.

[@lakotathierauf3882]

You will determine weather or not I get a J15 or not.

[@JenniferEKirk]

Lakota Thierauf thanks!

[@lakotathierauf3882]

Jennifer E. Kirk I bought one

[@GWRFan281]

Great review. These really are a bargain.

[@peterworland7089]

Well I wonder, Jennifer, what have you done with your hair

[@JenniferEKirk]

Peter Worland just tied it back; it’s all still there.

[@christoph7395]

Cute? I thought it funereal.