Trains Galore!

The 30th Trains Galore Auction, which took place at Special Auction Services on 14 and 15 December, was one of the most successful to date realising over £350,000.

The top lot was a 5-inch Gauge Live Steam coal-fired LNER  ‘Flying Scotsman’ which sold for £35,400 - more than double its top estimate. Originally owned by a gentleman who worked in the railway industry, this beautifully executed and detailed model, built in the 1930s or '40s, was highly sought after and bought by a collector in the UK.

Sixty-four lots were dedicated to Finescale 0 Gauge models, including a bogie ICI Caustic Soda tank wagon in green and black, and a very rare NE bogie Sulphate wagon in grey that was finished to an extremely high standard sold for £2,832. Other lots included a collection of 57 lots of GWR locomotives, coaches and wagons that realised more than £25,000.

Lord Braybrooke’s miniature railway, built for the grounds of his home at Audley End, comprising of live steam and battery operated locomotives, coaches and rolling stock was also included in the sale. The top lot was a 5" Gauge Live Steam Coal-fired ex-LNER B1 Class 4-6-0 Locomotive and Tender, finished in lined BR black as no 61379 'Mayflower' (lot 1041) which sold for £8,024.

In addition, an LNER P2 2002 Märklin British-market electric locomotive and tender made in 1937 sold for £7,080 (lot 810) and an ACE Trains Coronation locomotive made by Allen Levy’s highly successful young company realised £1,770.
The auction also included railway ephemera; an original framed GWR poster ‘Cornwall’ by Leonard Richmond went for £649 (lot 359), while a brass steam whistle (lot 298) sold for £613.60

Hugo Marsh, Director at SAS said, “The annual Trains Galore auction is always extremely popular, however this year’s 30th Anniversary one far exceeded expectations. The saleroom was packed and there was also lots of internet bidding from people around the world, which made for a fantastic atmosphere and a successful auction. It confirmed our status as the largest auction house in the UK for toy and model trains".