A unique collection of model railways and railwayana is set to go under the hammer this month at Mitchells in West Cumbria.
The lots come from a single collector – who is thought to have spent around £300,000 on the items – and auctioneers believe the sale could realise up to £100,000.
The immense private collection comprises over 1,000 locomotives, including over 400 of them boxed, and approximately 3,000 pieces of rolling stock, as well as display cases, pictures, railway signage, lamps, books, model kits and a large amount of crafting materials for building scenery.
Due to the vast amount of items to be sold, many lots will include multiple items.
Sale highlights include two original signs from Cockermouth Railway Station which closed in 1966, just before the demise of the Penrith to west coast line. The signs have a conservative estimate of £500-£800 but could well sell for over £1,000 each.
For sale amongst the locomotives are (lot 52) two Bachmann class A2 locomotives with an estimate £150-£250 the pair and (lot 73) two Bachmann 00-gauge steam locomotives, 31-011 class 7F and 31-625 class 3F which are expected to make £120-£180 for both.
Two Heljan boxed locomotives 2-8-0 Night Owl and 2-8-0 Tango are valued at £120-£180 the pair (lot 6). Five diesel locomotives (lot 232) have an estimate of £80-£120 for the group. Two boxed Bachmann Midland Pullman six car units (Lots 87/ 88) are expected to sell for £150-£250 each.
Two groups of unboxed steam locomotives Woodcock, Falcon and Mallard and the other City of Bristol, County of Northampton and Elders Fyffes both have estimates of £80-£120. Two lots of unboxed diesel locomotives, have estimates of £80-£120 per lot. There are also six Bachmann boxed wagons with an estimate of £40-60 for the group.
Coach kits will also be sold in groups of 10 valued at £50-£80 per lot and display cabinets will be sold mostly in pairs with estimates of £50-£80 per pair
The auction also includes approximately 800 specialist railway books split into 40 lots with estimates of £50-£80 and a dozen railway pictures, some limited edition, which should also make £50-£80 per lot.
The sale takes place on Thursday, April 13 from 10am, with live online bidding available during the sale.
As well as viewing the fully illustrated catalogue at www.the-saleroom.com/Mitchells where salegoers can bid online, lots will also be on view in the saleroom on Tuesday April 11 10am-5pm and Wednesday April 12 from 10am-7pm and throughout the auction.
Anyone requiring further information about lots featured in the sale should contact David Lomas on 01900 827800.
