Auction News: Auctioneers chuffed with steam train results

A LARGE collection of OO gauge model trains amassed over 16 years by a popular Cirencester milkman was snapped up at a Cotswold auction last week – with every engine, carriage and cart sold.

The locomotives, rolling stock, and coaches – totalling hundreds of individual pieces – were sold almost a year to the day since the death of Ray Arthurs, a milkman in the Kemble and Poole Keynes area for many years, on behalf of his family.

Proving most tempting to collectors was a collection of five boxed Bachmann Branch Line Model Railways 00 gauge locomotives including a Class 25/3 D7502 BR Two Tone Green, a Class 66 Diesel 66152 DB Schenker, a Class 37/2 West Coast Railways Locharkaig 37248, a Class 70 Diesel 70003 Freight Liner and a Class 70 Diesel 70006 Freight Liner.

And collection of four boxed Bachmann Branch Line Model Railways 00 gauge locomotives including a Class A4 60008 Dwight D Eisenhower BR Green Late Crest, a Class A1 60163 Tornado British Railways Apple Green, a Class A4 60010 Dominion of Canada BR Green Late Crest, and a Class A4 60019 Bittern BR Lined Green Late Crest also attracted enthusiasts.

A collection of Hornby 00 gauge rolling stock created a lot of interest, while collection of Hornby 00 gauge locomotives including one named Earl Bathurst – the name of the local lord of the manor – was bought by a model railway buff in York.

And a limited edition set of The Flying Scotsman, with two tenders, in its 1972-1975 livery proved popular with bidders. The record-breaking locomotive on which the model is based hit the headlines recently when it returned to the rails after after a decade-long, £4.2 million restoration.

Away from the railways, the top individual lot price of the day was achieved by a Chinese porcelain gu vase with flared rim, painted in underglaze blue and with iron red and gilt, which made £850 against a estimate of £100 to £150.

And an autograph album containing signatures of Brian Jones, Keith Richards and Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones, The Mersey Beats, Jess Conrad, The Rebounds, and Jim Dale among others attracted a winning bid of £380 against a £200 to £300 estimate.

For more information about buying and selling at auction, log on to mooreallen.co.uk/auction-house