Ending the year in a high

The very last sale of 2016 at Warwick & Warwick saw plenty of interest in trains and allied railway toys, as well as diecasts, tinplate and toy soldiers.

Starting with the real steam section, an Accucraft gauge 1 Sir Theodore 0-4-0T locomotive got things off to a flying start. The model stoked up interest and realised £737 before the hammer fell. In a similar vein, a Roundhouse Engineering G gauge Lynton and Barnstaple 1363 Taw locomotive also had the rail enthusiasts on the edge of their seats and this locomotive chuffed on solidly past its estimate to achieve a very respectable £1,357. Moving on to the G gauge section of the auction, a LGB HSB 99222 2-10-2T locomotive also impressed the audience, when it sold for £914. For lovers of engineering, there was a one-off delight in the shape of a scratchbuilt traction engine. Based on an original model that dated from the 1920s, this had been created in 1974. Quite stunning, one could only have speculated at the time and effort that had gone into this model. Bidding carried it up to £796.

The sale wasn’t all about rolling stock, though. An unusual Cien Ge Toys Company (a Taiwanese manufacturer) battery-operated Batmobile realised £224. Batman continues to exert a pull and increasingly it is the lesser-known suppliers (some of whom were not licensed!) which keep the interest going, it seems.

Made not far from Taiwan, an interesting Japanese Fighting Robot by SH also did well, selling for £165.  

On the model soldier front, there was a good turnout. The highlight of the day was arguably a Taylor and Barrett "Changing of the Guard" 16 piece set, which achieved a creditable £271.  

Warwick and Warwick’s next Model Railway auction will be held on 18 January 2017.