Famous locomotive's last journey

The locomotive worked for 20 years between Liverpool and Manchester

One of the world's earliest locomotives has made its final journey - by road - from Manchester to Liverpool.

The 170-year-old locomotive, called Lion, ran between the two cities on the world's first passenger railway line.

The engine has been taken along the M62 motorway to Liverpool on the back of a lorry to undergo conservation work.

The Lion once used to haul luggage trains and has appeared in a number of films. It will go on show in the Museum of Liverpool on the city's waterfront.

Film star

Nick Forder, transport curator of the Museum of Science and Industry, said he was sad to see the engine leave the museum.

"As Lion is one of the two oldest surviving locomotives to bring passengers, freight and livestock from Liverpool to the site of this museum, it is particularly sad to see it leave."

In 1837 the Liverpool and Manchester Railway company commissioned two luggage locomotives, Lion and Tiger. Lion was in operation for 20 years for passenger and freight transport.

The Lion was taken to Liverpool on the back of a lorry

In 1859 Lion was sold to the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board to work as a stationary pump.

Rediscovered in 1923, Lion was restored to working order for the centenary of the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway in 1930.

Following the celebrations, the train became something of a film star, appearing in Victoria the Great in 1937, The Lady with the Lamp in 1951 and the 1952 Ealing comedy The Titfield Thunderbolt.

The world's first passenger railway opened in 1830 between Liverpool and Manchester.