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[Locomotion No. 3]

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[Locomotion No. 3]

Locomotion Models is pleased to announce the latest addition to the National Collection in Miniature – the GER S56 / J69 No.87.

 

This exclusive OO-gauge model is being produced by Accurascale. Both DCC Ready and Sound Fitted versions will be available, at £139.99 and £239.99 respectively, and can be reserved on our website with a £30 deposit today. 

 

In 1904, a new class of 0-6-0T steam locomotive – the S56 Class, designed by engineer James Holden entered service for the Great Eastern Railway. During the 1923 Grouping, these, along with other rebuilt examples of the GER Class R24, were passed to the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) and received their new classification – the J69 Class.  

 

The J69 Class has its origins in the success of Holden’s T18 Class, which had proven that the engine’s shunting design was also suited to high-intensity suburban commuter traffic.  Holden sought to improve these engines, which resulted in the production of the 1890 R24 Class 0-6-0T, a class almost identical to the T18 but with some key differences. This new locomotive featured a lengthened wheelbase and a modified tank placement with the side tanks positioned further forward. Between 1890 and 1901, there were fourteen batches of the R24 Class engines produced at Stratford, with a total of 140 locomotives split 100/40 between passenger and goods/shunting engines.

 

The R24 Class, later renamed the J67s were then further developed by Holden, eventually producing the S56 Class, later renamed the J69 Class, which had a higher boiler pressure and larger tanks that could hold 1200 gallons. Both the passenger and shunting variants of the locomotive featured 160lb boilers with 2-column safety-valves on the firebox but otherwise featured different brakes, wheels, brake rigging, couplings, and reversers. The passenger engines were finished in GER Ultramarine Blue, while the shunting engines were in GER’s standard unlined black.

 

Following additional 0-6-0T engines being produced, and some older R24 locomotives being converted in 1912, by 1923, there were 190 Buckjumpers in the Great Eastern’s Fleet – the name Buckjumper coming from the engine’s lively ride, which had been compared to a bucking horse. After the Grouping, the LNER classified the locomotives with 180lb boilers as J69s, and those with 160lb boilers as J67s.

 

No.87, which our exclusive OO-gauge model depicts, is the only preserved example of the J69 Class, and is currently on loan to the Bressingham Steam Museum.