Lion took part in the LMR centenary celebrations in 1930 and the London and Birmingham Railway centenary in 1938. It starred in the 1953 film The Titfield Thunderbolt, among others. During the filming of 'Thunderbolt' the tender was damaged in a shunting accident, the damage still being visible. It is the second oldest locomotive to be steamed, the older being the British-built American locomotive John Bull. A brass plaque on the loco credits Ruston Diesels Ltd with restoring it to steam in 1980. For many years, Lion was on display at the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester alongside replica Liverpool and Manchester Railway locomotive Planet.