Yes, we've listened! Following our first foray into steam traction with the Manor (due very, very soon!) it is time to tackle another steam locomotive and spread our love to another part of the country. We fancied something a bit different, not done before. A challenge! Something cute. Something amazingly tooling heavy, an something rather pretty.

There was only one thing for it, it was time to buck the trend. It was time to do the Buckjumper!

Check out the 3D print of the CAD drawing below, and read on to learn all about our littlest loco yet.

Click Here For Buckjumper History With Project Manager, Paul Isles

Just Want To Pre-Order? Click Here!

The Model

Never afraid of a challenge, we're delighted to be able to bring these delightful tank engines to the RTR market for the first time, with this first batch of five models covering several of the important changes undergone by the classes between 1890 and 1962.

A full 3D scan of the sole survivor of the class GER no. 87 at Bressignham, which provided an excellent basis to design the model across its vast array of detail variants. As always, the tooling suite developed by Accurascale is comprehensive, and covers R24, R24r, S56 (J67 and J69) classes and C72 (J68) class.

Variations includes (but is not limited to) options for narrow and wide cabs, asymmetrical and symmetrical doorways, alternative cab roof ellipses, narrow and wide bunkers, alternative coal rail fitting, differing side tank capacities and profiles, fitting of condensing apparatus, fitting of trip-cock gear, alternative safety valve types and positions, differing chimney types, alternative boiler mounted hardware including handrails, differing smokebox door types, 10 and 15 spoke wheels, brake type variations, alternative positioning of injectors, alternative positioning of Macallan Blast Pipe rodding, alternative positioning of blower valves and variations on step details.

Taking a ‘high quality’ approach to their first ever tank engine, we have specified a diecast boiler and chassis for added weight, factory fitted brake rigging, a fully detailed cab with magnetic roof and sliding ventilator, flickering firebox glow, full sound provision with twin sugarcube speakers on DCC sound fitted model and powerful coreless motor with next18 DCC interface. Helical gearing also to ensure smooth running qualities as per our other locomotives.

The first production run consists of five models, with four main range models covering the extensive career of these locomotives, supplemented with the celebrity BR J69 68619 which will be an “Accurascale Exclusives” model which will be available in limited numbers direct only via our website and will feature special certificate and presentation packaging.

S56 Class No. 84 – GER Ultramarine Blue

S56 Class No. 84 was one of the last batch of ten locomotives built for the Great Eastern Railway, to Order P57, at Stratford in 1904 and incorporated many of the improvements made to the R24 Class in the 1902 Improvement Programme. No.84 is portrayed in the classic GER livery of Ultramarine Blue with Vermillion lining and shaded lettering, as it operated from Stratford Shed until being repainted into the GER’s ‘austerity’ grey livery in 1915.

LNER J69 No. 359 – LNER Lined Black

LNER J69 No. 359 came from an earlier batch of ten locomotives built at Stratford in 1892 and was rebuilt in 1904 into the R24r Class, gaining new safety valves, a new boiler design and 1180 gallon side tanks, but retaining the original narrow cab and coal bunker. No. 359 is portrayed in the earliest 1923 version of the LNER livery of Black with Red Lining, with fully shaded L&NER initials.

BR J69 68535 – BR Black Early Crest

BR J69 68535 was from the same 1892 batch as No. 359, being originally numbered as 358 under the GER and 7358 under the LNER and was also rebuilt as R24r in 1904. Along with 19 other J69 locomotives, 7358 was transferred to the Scottish Area during 1927/28 and while 11 of those locomotives were returned to the South between 1944 and 1952, the now renumbered 68535 remained in Scotland allocated to Dundee Shed 32B, until withdrawal in August 1959.

BR J68 68646 – BR Black Late Crest

BR J68 68646 was built in September 1912, part of the first batch of A.J Hill’s improved C72 Class, the final development of Holden’s 0-6-0T classes. First numbered as 50 under the GER, then 7050 under the LNER, 68646 spent its life working the ‘classic’ Buckjumper suburban services out of Stratford shed; firstly, on the Enfield Town and Chingford ‘Jazz’ services and then in places such as North Woolwich, Palace Gates and Blackheath. 68646 was, along with 68649, the only J68 to receive the ‘late’ British Railways crest.

BR J69 68619 – Liverpool St. Passenger Pilot (Accurascale Exclusive)

BR J69 68619 was the ‘celebrity’ Buckjumper and undoubtedly the most photographed member of the class, due to being the Liverpool Street Passenger Pilot and was kept immaculately presented by its crews and Stratford Shed. Carrying several presentation liveries, 68619 is probably best recognised in its 1959 faux-GER fully lined livery with GER crest addition, which it carried to withdrawal in October 1961.

Tooling is now underway with a delivery date slated for Q2 2O24 for the finished models. The first tooling sample is expected this summer with decorated samples due in the winter. Price for the models is £139.99 DC/DCC ready and £239.99 DCC sound fitted with our powerbank set of stay alive capacitors.

Several people and Societies have assisted us during the research phase of the project, notably the Great Eastern Railway Society and Bressingham Steam Museum, but special mention must go to the late Iain Rice, who despite being ill gave his time and knowledge freely and made his own research available. He is sorely missed by the hobby.

The Buckjumpers can be pre-ordered from your local Accurascale stockist, or direct right here, where you can order for no money down until they arrive in stock, or pay the cost via partial.ly over 6, monthly installments (or in other flexible ways to suit your budget including deposits!) to spread the cost, at no extra cost, or up front. Whatever you prefer!

Specification and Features

• Scale length of 110.66mm over headstocks, 36mm across body.
• Minimum Radius Operation: 438mm (2nd radius set-track).
• Die-cast metal chassis and boiler.
• Factory fitted brake rigging.
• All wheel pickup, DCC ready with stay alive arrangement.
• Scale width wire handrails and sand pipes.
• Fully detailed cab area, with easily removable roof, fixed by magnets.
• Fully detailed bunker area.
• Moveable roof ventilator.
• Eroded metal/plastic detail parts, including grab handles, steps, buffer pipework, lamp irons etc.
• Brass turned whistles/valves fitted.
• Etched metal pre-painted numberplates and plaques (where applicable).
• Fully sprung metal buffers, factory-installed pipework, and screw couplings.
• Accurate liveries including fully lined where applicable, and detailed crests/emblems.
• Magnetically removable smoke box door for access to decoder.
• Small, flexible neck NEM compliant coupler mounts set at correct height, with mini-tension-lock couplers.
• Next18 DCC ready (to suit ESU LokSound V5 Micro, or similar), slot mounted in smokebox.
• Factory installed DCC Sound option, with two quality sugarcube speakers contained in sound capsules located for best possible sound, in the side tanks (DCC Sound models only).
• Flickering/steady Firebox glow (depending on DCC fitting).
• Large coreless motor, for a haulage capacity of not less than 1kg, from a standing start, on a 3% incline.
• Helical gear box for maximum performance and slow speed running.
• Gearing arranged so locomotive can achieve a scale maximum top speed of 50 mph (80 kmh).