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Description
By the turn of the 1920s, the 4-6-2 'Orient' type, the long time standard mainline passenger engine of the early 1900s, was increasingly found to be underpowered as trains grew longer and heavier, having to resort to double-heading. The issue was put off for the time being with the development and deployment of a larger Orient type, but by the close of the decade were themselves becoming over burdened.

By that time on the continent, the 4-6-4 'Nord' type was being heralded as a new era in steam locomotive technology, through the use of the 'Superpower' theory of larger fireboxes and trailing trucks to carry them, booster engines, and modern feedwater heaters.

The Railway Executive, which was responsible for the operating and maintaining the state's rail transport system, put out a tender for design submissions for a Nord type for Oceanic Railways. The requirements were for an engine with over 40,000 pounds of tractive effort, the incorporation of most of the aforementioned tech, and the ability to lift and hold a 15 coach passenger train at or over 50MPH. Selected over a 4-6-4 variate of the previously mentioned larger Orient type (felt to be not much of a superior development), The Brighton Company submitted and was awarded a contract for 50 machines, designated as the 'J' Class.

The initial batch of what would soon be 150 machines were in service in 1928, displacing the 4-6-2s to second tier passenger trains, the less powerful ones to suburban work. Initially, they were built with a 225psi boiler and a tractive effort of 43,000 pounds, along with a twin pair of non-lifting injectors, of which one was later replaced with one of two different feedwater heaters used by OR.

From the late 1920s to the late 1930s, the 'J' class was the premier passenger engine, as well being used on fast mail trains. By the mid '30s however, it too was having to double-head major passenger trains, and finding itself having it's work turned over 4-8-2s. From that point forward it was increasingly relegated to the fast mail workings it had, as well as lower tier passenger trains, with a few working the suburban services pulled by the Orients. They had better success in Animora, where the lighter loading gauge closed off the interior to larger engines, thus retaining the more important work.

The engines shown above are operated by Lauritania Railways, named for the dominion it serves. 3945 is rather plain in appearance, a white running board being a trademark of passenger engines, whereas 3925 is wearing the 1950s 'Network' scheme of white and red trim.

Description
By the turn of the 1920s, the 4-6-2 'Orient' type, the long time standard mainline passenger engine of the early 1900s, was increasingly found to be underpowered as trains grew longer and heavier, having to resort to double-heading. The issue was put off for the time being with the development and deployment of a larger Orient type, but by the close of the decade were themselves becoming over burdened.

By that time on the continent, the 4-6-4 'Nord' type was being heralded as a new era in steam locomotive technology, through the use of the 'Superpower' theory of larger fireboxes and trailing trucks to carry them, booster engines, and modern feedwater heaters.

The Railway Executive, which was responsible for the operating and maintaining the state's rail transport system, put out a tender for design submissions for a Nord type for Oceanic Railways. The requirements were for an engine with over 40,000 pounds of tractive effort, the incorporation of most of the aforementioned tech, and the ability to lift and hold a 15 coach passenger train at or over 50MPH. Selected over a 4-6-4 variate of the previously mentioned larger Orient type (felt to be not much of a superior development), The Brighton Company submitted and was awarded a contract for 50 machines, designated as the 'J' Class.

The initial batch of what would soon be 150 machines were in service in 1928, displacing the 4-6-2s to second tier passenger trains, the less powerful ones to suburban work. Initially, they were built with a 225psi boiler and a tractive effort of 43,000 pounds, along with a twin pair of non-lifting injectors, of which one was later replaced with one of two different feedwater heaters used by OR.

From the late 1920s to the late 1930s, the 'J' class was the premier passenger engine, as well being used on fast mail trains. By the mid '30s however, it too was having to double-head major passenger trains, and finding itself having it's work turned over 4-8-2s. From that point forward it was increasingly relegated to the fast mail workings it had, as well as lower tier passenger trains, with a few working the suburban services pulled by the Orients. They had better success in Animora, where the lighter loading gauge closed off the interior to larger engines, thus retaining the more important work.

The engines shown above are operated by Lauritania Railways, named for the dominion it serves. 3945 is rather plain in appearance, a white running board being a trademark of passenger engines, whereas 3925 is wearing the 1950s 'Network' scheme of white and red trim.