Trainspotting - at SAS
The Trains Galore sale at Special Auction Services was, perhaps unsurprisingly, heavy in the giants of the two and three rail systems. According to Hugo Marsh, the event went well, seeing a grand total of £227,000 cross the rostrum - and with very few unsold lots out of 1,233 entries.
On day one there was pretty much everything up for grabs, ranging from Bachmann to Wren, and gauges that included HO, N and TT. On the second day it was the turn of floor trains, the bigger gauges, steam and finescale. Truly a memorable line-up!
First day highlights included lot 229, a HornbyDublo clockwork Sir Nigel Gresley set in its original box; this was highly anticipated and was bid to £1,100. In contrast was lot 445, a Southern Railway target station sign with the rubric Crystal Palace Low Level; such ephemera is highly collectable and this example made £1,100.
For lovers of the miniscule, lot 43 would have appealed: estimated at £300-400, the Lone*Star Treble O electric N Gauge Scenic Train set was a delight, comprising a BR diesel locomotive D5900, two maroon coaches, a station, four signals, a signal box, telegraph poles and even trees. With two circles of track and a level crossing, and a two-piece vacuum-formed scenic base and six Eaglet series Gulliver’s Country Town and Country Planning rubber buildings, here was an instant layout. Also present were the catalogue, price list and instructions. It made £420.
A cheaper Marklin (compared to day two – see anon) lot was the HO gauge Kaiser Wilhelm II Train, an assembly contained in four boxes. It comprised a Royal Prussian Imperial Court locomotive and tender (1008) in green livery, and six coaches: the Emperor’s Salon Car, Baggage Car, an Attendant’s Car for Ladies, a Dining Car, the Empress’ Salon Car and Attendant’s Car for Gentleman. Finished in cream and blue livery this eye-catching ensemble was bid to £280.
On day two in the bigger gauges, highlights included a Leeds for Bassett-Lowke Caledonian Railway Pickersgill Class 72 locomotive and tender, which raised £1,850; while lot 920, a Carette for Bassett-Lowke SECR Steam Railmotor was rather unusual and was contested £4,800. But there were other big guns in the sale: lot 1112, an LB & SCR Marsh Tank Locomotive, possibly by Stanley Beeson, was bid to £3,600, while a delightful Märklin (British market) station aroused the online bidders to £4,000 before the hammer fell. Finally, a 5 inch gauge scratchbuilt Saint Benedict locomotive and tender was simply stunning, a fact reflected in the closing bid of £12,000. ■