LGST144. Aster Gauge 1 Live Steam 0-4-2 Loco and Tender 'Lion'/'Titfield Thunderbolt'. This 0-4-2 with 4-wheel tender is representative of the first loco built in 1838 by Todd, Kitson & Laird of Leeds (later 'Kitsons') for the Liverpool & Manchester Railway. However it is also the loco used in the 1953 film 'The Titfield Thunderbolt'. There is a book available "Lion: The Story of the Real Titfield Thunderbolt" by Anthony Dawson. The scale of this live steam model is 1/30th, 45mm (Gauge 1). For a full specification see the images below. It is assumed that the model was originally supplied as a kit and has been built up by the previous owner, but it has not been tested and it is strongly recommended that it be checked over by a live steam specialist before being steamed. The model is supplied in what looks like an original plastic box with Aster labels, one stating that this is model no. 10 of 800 although I strongly suspect that nowhere near that number of models were ever produced. It also comes with assembly and operating instructions, assembly diagrams and a bag of tools (unused/unopened). As can be expected with a loco built in 1838, the prototype 'Lion' has a huge history and its survival is due to its original retirement from railway service in circa 1874 to work as a pumping engine at Prince's Dock (Liverpool). This lasted until 1928 when having been replaced by an electric motor it was rescued by the Liverpool Engineering Society for preservation, then undertaking its first restoration at Crewe Works. £995.
