LBSC

See also Curly Lawrence at Wikipedia.



"LBSC" was the pen-name of one of model engineering's most prolific writers. Lillian "Curly" Lawrence was born in 1882 and by the time he died in 1967 had designed over 100 locomotives, building over 50 himself. An enigmatic character, not to mention one who had almost no ability to tolerate criticism of his work, he nevertheless had a natural empathy with his readers and a remarkable knack of making the most complicated workshop procedures sound utterly straightforward.

Besides the ‘Model Engineer’ magazine, his writings appeared in other journals between the mid-1920's and the 1950's. He produced more design's and construction articles for 2.5 inch coal-fired locomotives than for any other gauge. Most LBSC designs were based on actual prototypes, but were not necessarily finished to scale. With this generous exposure, it is perhaps not surprising that many of his engines (and their derivatives) are still around today, together with older engines by Bassett-Lowke, Carson and their contemporaries.

Most of these early engines were built to a nominal scale of 1/2" to the foot, but shortly after WW2, the norm became to build to 17/32" (13.5mm) to the foot. This is the scale that G3 models are built to these days. LBSC was a former “engineman” and the famous initials he used to identify himself to thousands of modelers around the World stood for an old British railway name : London, Brighton, South Coast …

Introduction
The following appeared in "The Miniature Locomotive" magazine, May-June 1953.

Introducing the World's Most Famous Live Steamer

L. B. S. C.

According to what we read in our mail, it appears that any number of Live Steamers have not yet met our good friend "Curly." That may seem impossible to some of you fellows that have followed his writings for so many years, but in a way it speaks well for "our" Miniature Locomotive. It shows that we are getting track into territory that has never been reached before.

L.B.S.C. is not only the world's most famous "Live Steamer", he is also the creator of that well known appropriate title. His home is in England, which country happened to be the spawning ground for our hobby. I believe they celebrated the 50th year of Live Steam miniature building last year. But wouldn't want to be quoted or put it in writing because it might have been the 100th. The only figures that I can seem to remember--well, that's getting off the subject.

L. Lawrence, better known by the pen name L.B.S.C. has been telling the fellows how to build successful passenger hauling live steam locomotives in the small gauges for more than thirty years. His writings have appeared chiefly in the Model Engineer. A large personal correspondence is also carried on. No other single person has done so much to make our hobby what it is today. We must thank this practical genius for at least most of the design used in miniature locomotives. For, if we know it or not, when the source can be traced it is generally found that, that helpful little kink which came from a friend, originated with L.B.S.C.

The initials L.B.S.C. come from the railway where Curly was once an engineer. His practical knowledge and experience was later brought to good use in the miniature building field. He is the acknowledged expert and you can be guaranteed a successful working locomotive when his designs are carefully followed. L.B.S.C. never tells you how to build anything without having built it and tested it thoroughly himself. Not one of his designs has ever been a failure. That in itself is an enviable record and I have never heard of a runner-up for honor.

L. Lawrence is perhaps the busiest Live Steamer in the world. He not only writes regularly for two weekly publications but also builds locomotives. Now he has offered to write especially for you. If you want his advice on some project in locomotive building just let us know. Address your letter to The Miniature Locomotive, Box 305, Reseda, California and mark it "Attention L.B.S.C."

Though it might be amazing for a Live Steamer not to have heard of L.B.S.C., it is still more remarkable that of his thousands of readers only a very few have had the pleasure of knowing him personally. So don't feel to bad if you hadn't known this great Live Steamer before. Many of his friends, the world over, have only known him as L.B.S.C. who have them the best of advice concerning the design of miniature locomotives.

Dick Bagley