The LNER had trials with one in November 1945 and bought 75 of them in 1946, numbering them 8006-80. All enteredBritish Railways (BR) service in 1948. BR added 60000 to their numbers so they became 68006-80, and classified them 4F.
They were withdrawn between 1960 and 1967. A few were sold into industrial use with theNational Coal Board (who had several other Austerities) and others.
Two, BR Nos 68077 and 68078, have been preserved. In addition a large number of Austerities that were used in industry have survived to preservation. Several of these have been disguised as BR locomotives. Enthusiasts often refer to them by the nickname "Buckets".[1]
The erstwhile RosebudKitmaster company produced an unpowered polystyrene injection moulded model kit for00 gauge, which went on sale in Spring 1961. In early 1963 the Kitmaster brand was sold by its parent company (Rosebud Dolls) toAirfix, who transferred the moulding tools to their own factory; they re-introduced some of the former Kitmaster range, including this locomotive. The tool (for this model) was destroyed in a fire at the premises of Dapol Model Railways Ltd inWinsfordCheshire.Dapol were thus unable to produce further kits after their first two production runs totalling 4000 kits after acquisition of the former Airfix moulds.[3][page needed]
^Knight, Stephen (1999).Let's Stick Together: An Appreciation of Kitmaster and Airfix Railway Kits. Clopthill: Irwell Press.ISBN1-871608-90-2.
Lambert, A.P.; Woods, J.C.Continent, Coalfield and Conservation - The Biographical History of the British Army Austerity 0-6-0 Saddle Tank.ISBN0-901096-63-6.
Locomotives Illustrated No.61 - The Hunslet 'Austerity' 0-6-0STs. Ian Allan Ltd. 1988. (Introduction by Don Townsley)
Nock, O.S. (2009).British Steam Railways. Bounty Books.ISBN978-0753717851.
Yeadon, Willie (1999).Yeadon's Register of LNER Locomotives Vol.15: Classes J94, O6, and O7 the engines from the years of expediency. Challenger.
