GER S56 / J69 Class No.87

[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.  

[Fair Oak Junction]

Superb 👌

[Pint of Adnams]

[Bucoops]

1 hour ago, Pint of Adnams said:

 

If there was ever a loco that deserves to steam again...

[stewartingram]

But 490 would be better.....

[Bucoops]

4 hours ago, stewartingram said:

But 490 would be better.....

 

The E4 would be a sight to see as well - but we do have a couple of GER tender locomotives in steam or under overhaul. I think only the N7 is a GER tank that has a prospect of steaming soon.

[Pint of Adnams]

BTW - note that the front and rear spectacle plates are correctly painted black, not blue, as are the footplate, tank tops and condenser fittings, coal rails and bunker.

[Bucoops]

The buffers are a variant of LNER Group Standard so incorrect for its current livery - they have a round base whereas the standard Standard has a square base.

[Pint of Adnams]

On 20/12/2023 at 09:01, Bucoops said:

The buffers are a variant of LNER Group Standard so incorrect for its current livery - they have a round base whereas the standard Standard has a square base.

 

Check out the lower photograph on p96 of Yeadon's Register, showing sister No.85 in the blue livery with round base buffers, although it's too small to determine if the buffer housing is stepped or not. According to the RCTS, LNER Group Standard buffers were not fitted until c1944, so any photograph pre-dating then will theoretically have a GER type buffer, of which there were more than one design. See John Gardner drawing L28 details (7) & (8).

 

 

Edited December 21, 2023 by Pint of Adnams
To add GERS drawing reference

[Bucoops]

17 minutes ago, Pint of Adnams said:

 

Check out the lower photograph on p96 of Yeadon's Register, showing sister No.85 in the blue livery with round base buffers, although it's too small to determine if the buffer housing is stepped or not. According to the RCTS, LNER Group Standard buffers were not fitted until c1944, so any photograph pre-dating then will theoretically have a GER type buffer, of which there were more than one design.

 

Annoyingly I can't access my Yeadons books at the moment :( I'm aware of 3 types of GE design buffers - straight with round base, tapered with round base and tapered with square base. I have found a couple of other photos of 67s and 69s with round base stepped buffers, but all are post 1946.

 

There is a picture of a freshly shopped J66 with it's pre-1946 number here - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/126236068797 not sure of the date but it has a steel roof so mid-1930s on and it has GS buffers. My gut feeling on it is it is pre-war? Perhaps the 66s got some earlier than 69s?