Excellent Hornby Dublo 2-rail BR blue AL1/Class 81 electric No E3002 sells well at Cottees

You could be forgiven for thinking that a British Railways overhead electric engine might not have the appeal of a classic steam era locomotive or even one of the better loved diesel examples, but the 11th June sale of Cottees at Wareham, Dorset, would suggest otherwise!

Lot 99 was an excellent condition, though unboxed,Tri-ang Hornby R753 AL1/Class 81 BR blue No E3001, which went for a reasonable £90. Meanwhile an excellent boxed classmate E3002, but as manufactured by Hornby Dublo (1964-65), reached £360 (pictured right).

Mint and boxed Wrenn Pacifics also had a good day with a W2294 ‘Duchess of Abercorn’ selling at £600 and a W2407 ‘Tavistock’ at £300.

Hornby O gauge was another strong area with a 20V ‘Princess Elizabeth’, good in a blue box, climbing to £950. A No 2 clockwork LMS maroon compound and tender, refurbished in excellent original boxes, sold at £340. Trackside items of note included an excellent No 2E Home Signal Gantry at £280.

Railwayana items included a BR London Midland Region Llandudno Junction station totem sign finding the right price level at £360, while a pair of brass London & North Western Railway single line staffs sold for £130.

In the diecast section there were good results for Corgi models including a near mint Gift Set 7 Massey Ferguson 165 Tractor Set at £280 and a 1144 Chipperfields Circus Scammel Crane, rhino and cage at £220. A Chad Valley Ubilda cream and pale blue touring car sold at £120. Among the kits offered, 10 Airfix WWII 1/72 scale aircraft kits went for £100.

This auction story was first published in the August issue of Collectors Gazette. To see which issues of Collectors Gazette are available to buy online, click here.