Titfield Thunderbolt - The Lion Locomotive

[charliekane]

We were at the wonderful Museum of Liverpool again today, and the second phase has now opened, featuring an original carriage from the Overhead Railway (closed in 1956) but also the genuine Lion steam locomotive, built in 1837 and the star of The Titfield Thunderbolt (for which she was painted red, but has now been restored to the original green):

Lion's working life

In 1837 the Liverpool and Manchester Railway ordered two locomotives to haul luggage trains, which were later called 'Lion' and 'Tiger'. They were the first locomotives built by Todd, Kitson and Laird, who used a conventional 0-4-2 wheel arrangement with inside cylinders.
In 1859 Lion was sold to the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board and installed as a stationary pumping engine at Princes Dock. She was rescued by members of the Liverpool Engineering Society, to which body she was presented by the Dock Board in 1928. After restoration at the Crewe railway works she took part in the centenary celebrations of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway in 1930, pulling a replica train. During the period prior to the Second World War Lion stood on a plinth at Lime Street Station but was removed in 1941 and not replaced.
Becoming a film celebrity

Lion appeared in three films, 'Victoria the Great' (1937), 'The Lady with the Lamp' (1951) and 'The Titfield Thunderbolt' (1952), the latter making her something of a celebrity in view of its popular appeal.
Lion was stored at the Crewe works and was not seen by the public, apart from her film appearances and railway publicity events. In 1967 she was loaned to Liverpool Museum (as World Museum was then known) by the Liverpool Engineering Society. This was changed to an outright gift in 1970.
'Retirement' from public appearances

In 1980 Lion took part in the 150th anniversary celebrations of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway at Rainhill under her own steam. Afterwards she made a number of working appearances at railway heritage centres and museums until 1989 when she was withdrawn from steaming for conservation reasons.
Following a condition survey in 1992 which showed that Lion’s original structure would need substantial modification if she were to be steamed again, the Trustees of National Museums Liverpool decided, on the basis of Lion’s internationally important status, to conserve her for museum display only.

[Arthur Linden-Jones]

Becoming a film celebrity

Lion appeared in three films, 'Victoria the Great' (1937), 'The Lady with the Lamp' (1951) and 'The Titfield Thunderbolt' (1952), the latter making her something of a celebrity in view of its popular appeal.

And was nearly wrecked in the latter film.

In the scene where the errant carriages (a carriage from the Wisbech and Upwell Rly and a Toad brake van) were "pushed" by the villagers to join up with the engine after the coupling broke during a brake test, the downhill gradient allowed the carraiges to get away a little bit more than was expected. The impact with Lion did cause some damage, albeit repairable. In the film, at the time of impact, you can actually see the tender "buckle" up over the locomotive footplate.

[Rick C]

Behind-the-scenes article from 1952 regarding the shooting on location of the film "Titfield Thunderbolt" and the starring role of 'Lion' in the production
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and its subsequent page

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[Nick Dando]

Thanks for the links Rick.

Nick