NRM TO DIG DEEP INTO ‘HETTON LYON’S’ PAST
Museum commences archeological survey into the history of obscure locomotive.
One of preservation’s most enigmatic locomotives is going under the microscope for the first time, as the National Railway Museum begins an ‘archaeological survey’ on the ‘Hetton Lyon’.
Noted experts in early railway history, Dr Michael Bailey MBE and Dr Peter Davidson – whose recent investigation into George Stephenson’s Killingworth 0-4-0 ‘Billy’ revealed that it was, in fact, the third oldest locomotive in the world – began their survey on the former Hetton Colliery locomotive at Locomotion, Shildon, on April 9, after the engine arrived there from Beamish Open Air Museum on April 1.
Sponsored by a private donor, it is hoped the survey will solve some of the mysteries surrounding the ‘Hetton Lyon’.
Dr Sarah Price, Head of Locomotion, said: “Despite having been in preservation since the 1920s, relatively little is known about this engine and we are really looking forward to seeing what new discoveries could be made.”
Dr Michael Bailey said: “We plan to better understand the history of this locomotive and its components through detailed archival and archaeological research.
“I’m not sure yet whether it was called ‘Lyon’ or ‘Lyons’ as various sources are contradictory.
“We hope to provide new evidence of the progression of Stephenson’s locomotive designs and to perhaps find the ‘missing link’ between famous early locomotives such as the Killingworth ‘Billy’ and Locomotion.”
The locomotive was originally believed to have been built by George Stephenson in 1822, coinciding with the opening of the Hetton Colliery, but subsequent research has revealed that it dates from the mid-1850s and that it could be a replica of an original 1820s Stephenson design.
It retired from colliery service in 1912 after a career spanning 60 years, and was later steamed at the 1925 Stockton & Darlington centenary celebrations.
The survey will take place in full public view at Locomotion, much like a similar study carried out on the original 1829-built Rocket at York in 1999, and is expected to take several months. Once complete, ‘Lyon’ will remain at Shildon. The findings of the study will be sent to the National Railway Museum before being offered to the next Early Railways Conference due to be held in 2021.