Hornby has announced plans to produce the Liverpool & Manchester Railway 0-4-2 ‘Lion’ in OO. The surprise announcement was made Monday 8th March via the manufacture’s social media platforms.
Originally built in 1838, Lion was ordered from Todd, Kitson and Laird of Leeds for use on goods traffic. Subsequently rebuilt in 1841 with a longer boiler, it remained in traffic with the London & North Western Railway until 1857. It was later sold to Mersey Docks and Harbour Board, while in the late 1920s it was handed over to the Liverpool Engineering Society for safe keeping. In 1953, Lion went on to achieve celebrity status in the classic Ealing Comedy, The Titfield Thunderbolt, being renamed Thunderbolt for the starring role in the film.
Hornby marketing and Product Development Director, Simon Kohler, explained: "After the success of Rocket, Lion was most definitely on the list, especially given the public demand. We were intending to announce it later this year or early next…"
Details of prices, delivery timescale and specification are still to be confirmed.
www.hornby.com
