N Gauge Lion (Titfield Thunderbolt) Loco

This is an N Gauge model of Liverpool and Manchester Railway locomotive No. 57 ‘Lion’.  Built in 1838, later used as a Liverpool stationary pumping engine, its restoration in 1928 led to ‘Lion’ becoming one of the oldest working steam engines in the world, last operating on Britain’s main line in the 1980s.  Most famously, she starred in the Ealing comedy ‘The Titfield Thunderbolt’, popularly considered one of the finest railway films of all time.  Today, ‘Lion’ is preserved in the Museum of Liverpool.  

Combined with the N Gauge Lion Tender (separately available), this scratch aid enables an unpowered free-rolling model engine.  Coupled to the motorised Liverpool and Manchester Railway coach (separately available, plus free-rolling coaches), a fully working 'Era 1' N Gauge train can be created.  Conversely, fans of the ‘Titfield Thunderbolt’ can couple it to the fully-motorised ‘Dan’s Coach’ to recreate the film train in miniature.  

Necessary to Complete:
Graham Farish 08 crank Wheels (available as spares online; cut down the rods to an 0-4-0)
Graham Farish wagon wheels (one set with pins sawn off)
Loco-tender coupling (wire)
Weight (the boiler is hollow)
(NB small strips of styrene will hold the driving and trailing wheels in place)

Optional additional details to scratchbuild (at the builder's discretion):
Reverser lever (its base is pre-printed)
Safety valves (their firebox bases anre included pre-drilled)
Tie-bars between axleboxes
Regulator
Crew

I hope you enjoy this unusual and eye-catching model.