BR Lion symbol

[John B]

What date in the 1950's - 60's did the BR cycling lion symbol become superced by the later Lion symbol?

[industrial]

From approx 1957 naturaly in a lot of cases it was a lot later than that.

[silver fox]

It was 1956, when British Railways recieived a grant of arms from thew Collage of Heralds, and then decided to use the crest from it on tenders.
The first A4 was 5th April 1957 60009.

And for the point from it coming in to October 1958 they both face forward, from October 1958 they both face left!

[John B]

Thanks guys, now I know that any RTR models I buy need to have the cycling Lion for my model of Hornsea Town Station. I refuse point blank to have any diesels there. The baseboard is now made and topped off with softboard.

I visited my local model shop in Auckland last week, they had very litle in the way of Peco gauge 75 track and not one engine that would have run on the Hornsea line (V1/3, L1 and C12 etc). They also seemed uninterested in the fact that I was going to be buying quite a bit of stuff as I developed the model.

I shall have to order the track and rolling stock from the UK. I need the addresses of one stop shops, can anyone recommend a few suitable suppliers?

Cheers

[Bullhead]

For ready-to-run stuff such as locomotives, rolling stock and track Hattons of Liverpool though sometimes referred to a little derogatively as "box shifters" have always struck me as competitive and efficient, and their website is pretty good. For more specialised stuff, manufacturers often retail their products direct - for example, Model Signal Engineering for signals and North Eastern Designs for LNER suburban coaches, in kit and R-T-R form. It would probably be best if you asked for recommendations on specific items as and when the need arises during construction.

I see that you mention Peco Streamline code 75 "finescale" track - I've always used Streamline (originally code 100 and latterly code 75 rail) because of its wide range of ready-to-lay switches and crossings and turned a blind eye to its other deficiencies (flat bottomed rail, incorrect sleeper spacing), but if I were starting again from scratch I'd be sorely tempted to try SMP Scaleway.

I stress I have no connection with any of the suppliers I mention other than as a satisfied customer.

[Bullhead]

Up to October 1958 they both face forward, from October 1958 they both face left!

I think this was because the College of Arms objected to the use of the "mirror image" lion, on the basis that it differed from that contained in the original grant of arms.

[John B]

Thanks Bullhead, the information and links are very welcome.

I rather fancy those NE carriages from North Eastern Designs but sadly they are well out of my price range. I shall have to persevere with the refurbishing of the old Ian Kirk LNER (Gresley - I think) non-corridor stock.

I have looked at all the other suppliers and can probably source most of my modelling needs from their stock.

Thanks again for all your help.

[TonyM]

Hello fellow KIWI

This is probably too late but I would endorse whole heartedly about buying from Hattons, they are great to deal with and their prices are very competitive. Delivery is prompt and the packaging is superb. I buy 90% of my N gear from them and have never had a problem. I have been a customer for more years than I care to think about.
So if you have not already done so get buying. It is not worth bothering with NZ suppliers they are not interested in LNER sales, except Hanworth on the North Shore.

Go to it.

TonyM

[John B]

G'day Tony, it's good to know there are other Kiwis out there interested in the LNER. I see there is a guy from NZ who was a fireman in BR days - it would be good to find out where he is based, his author name is "lead_plug" on this forum.

I have found the local model shop quite uninterested in what I am doing - so they have lost me as a customer, Hattons will certainly benefit. I shall also have to take a closer look at Hanworth just to check them out and see if they have anything I want, thanks for that.

Funds have temporarily dried up so I am having to regroup before I can really go ahead with the project - sigh!!??!

Cheers

[silver fox]

Up to October 1958 they both face forward, from October 1958 they both face left!

I think this was because the College of Arms objected to the use of the "mirror image" lion, on the basis that it differed from that contained in the original grant of arms.

Yes as the lion should face left, but when they mirrored it one side , the fireman's side, it faced right!

[Blink Bonny]

However, until the mid 1960s, odd locos had the "face forward" pair on them, so beware.

41241 was, incidentally, withdrawn in 1965 with the old crests still on the tanksides.....