The NER Class E1, classified as Class J72 by the LNER, is a class of small 0-6-0T steam locomotives designed by Wilson Worsdell for shunting. They had inside cylinders and Stephenson valve gear. They were a development of the earlier NER Class E (LNER Class J71) 0-6-0T designed by T.W. Worsdell who was Wilson Worsdell's brother.

A total of 113 locomotives were built: 50 locos built by NER at Darlington Works, 25 locos built for NER by Armstrong Whitworth & Co, 10 locos built by LNER at Doncaster Works, and 28 locos built by British Railways at Darlington Works This is a rare, possibly unique, example of a locomotive class which was built, completely unchanged, under pre-grouping, post-grouping and British Railways administration.

One BR built example affectionately known as Joem survives.