Marvellous Minic in Oz
The last Trains, Planes & Automobiles auction held down under provided, as usual, an eclectic array of lots.
On the model railway front a Eureka HO gauge NSWGR AD60 Class 4-84 plus a 4-8-4 Garratt locomotive (No. 6015) in black attracted much interest. Complete with sound, albeit untested, this useful duo was billed as excellent and came in an excellent box. The pair sold for $1,000.
Robilt was a Melbournebased train manufacturer and is probably not too common over here. An O gauge clockwork Victorian Railway Passenger Set was typical of the genre: it contained a 0-4-0 locomotive and tender labelled No. 52, in black, which was accompanied by two four-wheel passenger coaches, together with track, instructions and a product brochure. Also with this lot was a damaged signal. Complete with key, the loco was tested and pronounced in working order. Some scratches to the paintwork were noted on the coaches, otherwise the lot was in very good condition. Boxed, it made $650.
As for UK production, the Minic plastic Push and Go Articulated Car Transporter comprised a red prime mover with a blue trailer and two cars. Around 140mm overall, the prime mover and cars were all motorised, and working. Some stains on the upper deck were apparent but the model was very good in the main and boxed. It sold for $350.
Finally, a Minic tinplate clockwork Double Deck London Bus, in red with both Penguin and Minic advertisements, was a further reminder of the UK. Tested and working, despite some chips and scratches to the paintwork, there was enough interest to push it to $230.