Hello folks, and welcome back to another model review!
Today we’re taking a look at another British locomotive, this one from Rapido UK.
This one has a very interesting history, so let’s get started!
To preface the history section, I usually give the prototype’s general model history as an overview, but this one didn’t really have a specific model number or name, so I’ll just go with manufacturer, railroad, date, and wheel arrangement.
Todd, Kitson & Laird (manufacturer) LMR 1837 (order date) 0-4-2: In 1837 the Liverpool & Manchester Railway (LMR) ordered six locomotives from Todd, Kitson & Laird of Leeds, two of which were to be goods locomotives. These two locomotives were based on plans and designs by Robert Stephenson and John Melling, who was the Locomotive Superintendent for the LMR. These plans for a freight, or “luggage”, locomotive, called for a six wheeled locomotive capable of a top speed of 40mph, and be able to pull 200 tons.
Todd, Kitson & Laird would construct these locomotives as per instructions, and they would prove successful, serving the LMR for several decades.
As successful as they were, locomotive technology was rapidly improving, and bigger and better engines were needed, so the two goods engines would be retired in the late 1850’s. One would be scrapped, but the other would be preserved…eventually.
LMR “Lion”: Lion would roll out of the Todd, Kitson & Laird factory in 1838, and was originally named “Lion” – this was during a period when locomotives were often named rather than numbered, much like ships.
As originally built it had a 50psi boiler pressure, two 11” x 20” cylinders mounted inside the frame, and 5ft drive wheels.
The need to get more out of “Lion” was fairly quickly realized, and in 1841 the LMR would rebuild it at their Edge Hill locomotive shops. This rebuild would change Lion considerably – it received a new, longer boiler, which necessitated extending the frame, new 12”x18” cylinders, and a new valve gear. This configuration would serve well, and in 1845 Lion would come under new ownership when the LMR was absorbed by the Grand Junction Railway, which itself was amalgamated into the London and North Western Railway in 1846. Lion would continue pulling goods through all this corporate maneuvering, though the LNWR would give it the number 116, under which it would serve on their Northern Division.
In 1857 it was removed from regular duties and transferred to the Stores Department as Ballast Engine 14.
Once again Lion would change ownership, this time being outright sold, to the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board in May of 1859 for 400GBP. It would serve on the Board’s internal rail system, receiving a new boiler there, as well, until circa 1874, when it was retired as a locomotive. It would, however, continue working, but as a stationary pumping engine at Prince’s Dock.
Here it would remain until 1923, when it was found by members of the Liverpool Engineering Society, who would then rescue the locomotive in 1928. It would then be refurbished at Crewe Works, which included the following new items; tender (the original had been long scrapped), smokebox door, chimney, splashers (fenders over wheels), foot plate, cab guard rails, boiler lagging and tubes, boiler fittings, and a mechanical lubricator.
Following this extensive restoration Lion took part in the LMR Centenary exhibition in September of 1930, where it ran on a circle of track with replica coaches.
After the exhibition it was displayed on a pedestal at Liverpool Lime Street station until 1937, when it was removed to take part in a publicity stunt for the London, Midland and Scottish Railway’s new Coronation Scot passenger train, as well as taking part in the London and Birmingham Railway’s Centenary celebration.
It would then be put in storage for years, until once again being reconditioned to appear in the film The Lady with the Lamp in 1951, which was a retelling of the story of Florence Nightingale.
Lion would then be selected for what would become its most well-known role, which was a prominent role in the film The Titfield Thunderbolt, a 1953 comedy. During this filming, Lion would suffer some damage, which would never be repaired.
In 1967 Lion would be loaned to the Liverpool Museum, and fully presented to them in 1970.
Yet again, in 79/80, Lion was removed from display and restored for a public relations exhibition, this time the LMR’s 150th Anniversary. This restoration resulted in even more parts replaced with new, including; main steam pipe, boiler tubes, plug regulator, boiler fittings, pressure gauge, gauge glass, and other things.
The front buffer beam was reinforced, which wasn’t original anyway, safety chains were installed between loco and tender, and the tender received air brakes – from a heavy truck, oddly enough.
Lion would enjoy one more bout of operation, this time at the Birmingham Railway Museum at Tyseley in 1988, after which it would be put on static display.
From 1999 and 2007 Lion was displayed at the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester while the new Museum of Liverpool was being constructed. The Museum of Liverpool would cosmetically restore Lion in 2008 before putting it on display in their new facility. And that’s where Lion remains today, on display.
Yep, ol’ Lion has quite the history.
So let’s take a look at Rapido’s rendition of this venerable locomotive…
Box info~
And here's the little "Lion", in all its glory.
Yes, that would have been wood cladding/lagging on the boiler and firebox. I believe that served as early insulation.
"Lion" was built without a cab, just the sides as seen here - a mighty unpleasant experience for the crew.
Such a fascinating little locomotive - state of the art at one time, and a fine example of early steam.
Ratings…
Good: Overall, almost everything. It’s a truly great model. To begin with, I was pleasantly surprised that after all the distance the box had travelled, there was no damage to the model, even though it has some fairly fragile parts. The paint was nicely applied, with no application issues that I could see. The fine details are outstanding – very well made and installed, and the overall build quality was absolutely perfect. It operates very nicely, and the sounds are top-notch – both of these facts being fairly impressive given the cramped area for the mechanism, electricals, and speaker. I was expecting it to have issues over switches, but it handled them without a problem. Another fact that impressed me, that I’ve noticed and mentioned on previous models as being an issue, was the chimney/stack/funnel; Rapido actually molded it hollow!
Bad: The only issue I found, and it is very minor, is the paint – considering this is a model of a locomotive in as preserved, I expected a glossier finish. I think it would benefit from that – you’d expect a preserved loco would be kept shiny, especially considering Lion has spent most of the last 100 years inside.
Overall: It’s a fantastic model of a very fascinating prototype. Rapido did “Lion” justice on this one. It ticks all the boxes – unusual prototype, well built, runs well, sounds great.
I can wholeheartedly recommend “Lion”!
That’s all for this review – as always, thanks for looking!
Def would not have wanted riding in that open cab to be my job. Enjoyed the video thanks