51L: The finely detailed railway model. A brief background to the LOndon NOrth Western Railway

London North Western Railway: A brief biography

LNWR was the largest joint stock company in Great Britain in the early years of the twentieth century and styled itself the 'The Premier Line'. It had a substantial empire operating passenger and freight services from London to Carlisle in the north and from Swansea to Cambridge in the east. The company excelled in offering comfort to its passengers, introducing state of the art corridor carriages in 1897 for the West Coast services operated jointly with the Caledonian Railway. The company had extensive working arrangements with other companies including the Lancashire and Yorkshire, Cambrian Railways, Caledonian Railway and the North Staffordshire Railway.

In 1922 the company amalgamated with the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway, a long time associate but a substantial railway in its own right. Twelve months later, in 1923, the new LNWR joined the London Midland and Scottish group.

The influence of the LNWR management on the new Group was considerable particularly in the area of internal carriage design. Many of the features of the new LMS carriages owe much to LNWR policy. Chowbent 4mm produce a substantial range of London and North Western General Service carriages for the period from the earlier years of the 20th century through to the 1950's. Cove roof and elliptical roof corridor stock including examples suitable for the West Coast Joint Stock and non corridor stock are available. A range of non corridor suburban and lavatory stock are also available. Non passenger coaching stock including the carriage truck, horse box with drovers compartment and a prize cattle van complete the range.

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Further reading? We suggest the following titles out of the large number available:

The London and North Western Railway; O S Nock

LNWR Miscellany Volume 1; E Talbot

LNWR Miscellany Volume 2; E Talbot

Mark Hurst and the London and North Western Railway; T R Gourish

LNWR Carriages An concise history; D Jenkinson

A Lancashire Triangle, A history of the London and North Western Railway in and around the south Lancashire coal fields, Vol 1&2; D J Sweeney

The LNWR Recalled, collected writings and observations on the London and North Western Railway; E Talbot

Locomotive and Train Working in the Latter Part of the Nineteenth Century,, Volume 2, E L Ahrons

LNWR Wagons, The LNWR Society, Ed Chris Northedge

A Register of West Coast Joint Stock, Historical Model Railway Society, R M Casserley and P A Millard.

Selected LNWR Carriages, A detailed Commentary, Philip A Millard

LNWR Thirty Foot 1 Inch Carriages, Philip A Millard, LNWR Society Premium Portfolio No15

LNWR Liveries, E Talbot, P A Millard, G Dow, P Davis

Many of the these books may be obtained from specialised book sellers for some suggestions press here.

The following research societies exist for the London and North Western Railway:

The London and North Western Railway Society

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