00 Scale Lion (Titfield Thunderbolt) Loco

This is a 00 scale 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.   

This model originated as a jumbo-ised N Gauge engine, suitably altered to 00 operative tolerances and to fit proprietary parts (notably the tender wheelbase for motorising), enabling simple construction.  Many details not included in the original N Gauge version have been added in this 00 scratch aid to provide a ‘complete’ ready-to-paint model for beginners, capturing the charm of the prototype.  These can be replaced by more expert scratch-builders if desired.  The matching motorised tender is separately available.   

(Note: various materials are provided, however, WSF and BSF will require more preparation for smooth painting that FUD and FED.)

While most of the engine is provided, the following parts have been omitted due to fragility, clearances or the need to sand the printed model: 
• Tie-bars between axleboxes
• Rivet detailing
• Motion
• Loco-tender coupling (some drilled metal and pins will suffice)
• Crew 

The boiler is hollow to reduce weight, being sufficiently heavy by itself to remain on the track while propelled by the tender drive.   

The following additional parts need to be sourced separately to complete (web links given as examples only): 
• Hornby 08 wheels & rods (rods to be cut down to 0-4-0):
https://www.newmodellersshop.co.uk/hornby_spares_wheels_and_tyres.htm
(Both available via this page)NB the wheels used for testing had square bearings, but as these bearings were designed to fit between the printed inner frames, being effectively unused (see photo), other versions may work just as well.   

• Hornby wagon wheels R8098 https://www.hattons.co.uk/7287/Hornby_R8098_Metal_spoked_wheels_on_axles_10_axles_/StockDetail.aspx 

Other wheels/rods can be potentially fitted if matching the following dimensions:
Driving wheels – 19.5mm diameter (including flange; without c.18mm as per the Alan Gibson catalogue)
Trailing wheels – 15mm diameter (including flange; without c12.5mm)
Coupling rods 23mm from pin centre to pin centre

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