The Lehigh Valley needed additional branch line power, able to traverse
light rail on the Auburn Creek and Bowmans Creek branches, etc., when
in 1917 the building of the J 25s began. They were built at the Sayre,
PA locomotive shops, all told a total of 34 machines. These were fully
modern locomotives at the time although they did not use certain appliances
such as a feed water heater or a stoker due to their small size, and weight
consciousness.
J25s gave legion service until dieselization was wrapping up. Indeed,
in 1948, thirty three of the original 34 were still rostered. Branch line
steam power was usually the last to go, as the railroads had already dieselized
the main line work. In many cases, J 25s were replaced with very able
Baldwin diesel switchers.
The Eddystone J 25 project has truly been a community effort. It was initiated with an order for two, from a repeat customer. He is a well known LV authority, lecturer , author and a club President. Rich Jahn, editor of Flags, Diamonds and Statues ( the ARHS journal) provided company drawings of the locomotive. Tender drawings came from another renouned LV fan, author, and consulting model locomotive and car designer. Photos came from another LV fan who has a superb photo collection. Finally, and far from least, two quite elderly retired LV employees provided extensive interview information on the cab and tender--- places they knew well as they worked there ! Clearly, I too have had something to do with the job !
This is very different from the way most commercial locomotive jobs get
started, although it is common to the way many Eddystones get started.
If you eventually own one or more of these locomotives, you will
Be part of a circle of dedicated LV people who's collective efforts are
helping to make HO LV steam a reality, a locomotive at a time. You won't
have to relie on two or three brass pieces and a collection of stand-ins
any more. This is my third LV steamer, and there are more to come.The
J 25 and the M 35 are the two branch line, moderate main line haulers
of this LV Steam Roster Project. The balance will be main line power and
a switcher.
The Eddystone J 25 is being developed from the machinery of the excellent
Bachmann Spectrun 4-6-0,
Clearly, the rest of the job will have to be exquisit Eddystone locomotive
modeling. Orders have already been taken, and you can order one two. I'll
be proud to announce delivery of the first copy in this web page, and
there will be pictures, and feedback from the owner. All the usual Eddystone
features of super detailing, great running and unsurpassed realism will
be in the model. All the usual options will also be offered.