Book Review: The Leeds Model Company 1912 – 2012
Article by David Peacock
Reviewed by Pat Hammond
Over the last 40 years we have progressed from a situation in which there were virtually no books on the history of toy trains to one in which there is a wealth of information available in our libraries and on the Internet. But one subject that was crying out to be recorded in print was the story of the Leeds Model Company (LMC), once the third most important in Britain. Now, in time for the centenary of the founding of the company, David Peacock of the Leeds Stedman Trust has put his considerable knowledge into print. It is an excellently told story with a wealth of reference material, and includes a bonus of considerable value – but more of that later
After the introduction, the chapters deal with: Rex Stedman, the early days up until 1921, the first series tank engines, 0-4-0 saddle tanks, models produced for BassettLowke, Great Central Railway models, rolling stock, special projects, R.F.Stedman & Co., Mansted Foundry, the Hordern layout, Newalloy, the fire at Jack Lane, Nettle and the ‘Brighton Belle’, the second series tank engines, introduction of Bakelite, exhibitions, austerity and afterwards, train sets, post-war copying of products, Ellemsee, the final years and the 2012 Centenary.
The introductory chapter contains a list of previously published articles and there are other reference lists within the text. At the back of the book there is a glossary and an excellent index. There are also no fewer than 19 appendices which cover catalogues, mechanisms, wheel standards, tank dimensions, lithographs (full listing), type B rolling stock, couplings, bogies and axleboxes, the LMC smoke unit, track, signals, buildings and accessories, power units, drawings, transfers, packaging and labelling, raw materials and tools and Stedman Lindon & Co. Ltd.
That says it all; nothing is missed out and it is written in an easy to read style, with plenty of pictures.
Now for that bonus I mentioned earlier.
Stuck to the inside of the front cover is a plastic pocket containing a DVD and instructions on how to access its contents. It carries over 100 superb photographs of the models in the Leeds Stedman Trust’s collection. They have been taken by Norman Childs and are all downloadable. There are notes below some of the pictures describing their significance and restoration details and a list of them, with production dates, appears at the back of the book.Also on the DVD are two videos. The first was made by David Peacock and Jack Ray in 1984 (revised in 1994) for the Gauge 0 Guild. It is a succession of colour slides with a voice-over by the two gentlemen. The second, a better quality video, David made more recently with the help of Chris Pettit, again for the Gauge 0 Guild, but this time with movement. In it David Peacock introduces us to his LMC layout
The £19.95 that you pay for the book is worth it for this pictorial resource alone.
So there you have it – a much needed book by an expert on the subject. I strongly recommend it.
About the Author
David Peacock is a retired engineer with a lifelong passion for railways in general and model railways in particular. Leeds Models were an unknown quantity to him until the early 1970s when after joining the Gauge ’0′ Guild he obtained his first Leeds models and met with Adrian Stedman, son of Rex Stedman founder of the Leeds Model Company. The Leeds Stedman Trust was set up by David Peacock in 1983 following Adrian’s untimely death. Through the Trust David has maintained and enlarged upon Adrian’s life ambition to see his father’s works recognised and acclaimed for their innovative design and engineering, and to support enthusiasts who continue to enjoy Leeds Model Company products of every description.
The Leeds Stedman Trust website was set up in response to provide information about the history and products of the Leeds Model Company/ R.F Stedman & Co., and more easily and widely to publicise the services, spare parts and ready to run models available from the Trust. The website, has a forum and is regularly updated with news of Trust activities. Links are provided to related model railway and manufacturer websites.
