Live steamBR Class 4MT springsmajor surprise on two Standard companions in Dreweatts’ sale

CLASS4MTNo. 80008sprangasurprise in Dreweatts’ TransportSale atNewbury onMay28, whenamodel of the 2- 6- 4T unexpectedly toppedthe realisation chartsby selling for£ 27,000, some distanceahead of itstwomorehotly tipped Standard locomotiverivals.

The 7 ¼ in- gauge exhibition quality model was completed by Tony Dixon of Southwick, near Brighton, after its original builder was unable to finish thework because of ill health.

Themodel was built in live steam, but had never been steamed. It had a top estimate of £ 20,000,

In the 4MT’swheel tracks came two further 7 ¼ in- gauge live steam models – Class 9F 2- 10- 0 No. 92220 Evening Star (£ 20,000) and Class 5MT 4- 6- 0 No. 73000 (£ 19,000).

The 8ft 6in- long exhibition standard 9F model, which carried a top estimate of £ 30,000, was described by Dreweatts’live steam and model engineering consultantMichael Matthews as“stunning.”

No. 92220 was the last locomotive built by BR at Swindon, in March 1960, and survived in service for just five years before being withdrawn from Cardiff East Dock ( 88A) and entering preservation as part of the National Collection. It is currently on display at the NRM in York.

Both this model and No. 73000, whose top estimate was £ 25,000, were also built by Tony Dixon, thus giving this model- maker a hat- trick at the topof a star- studded line- up at what was one of Dreweatts’biggest Transport Sales.

Twoother five- figure successes were a 7 ¼ in- gauge GWR 2- 6- 0 No. 5310 (£ 16,000) and a 5in- gauge SR 4- 6- 0 No. 785 Sir Mador de la Porte

(£ 10,000), so ensuring the‘ Big Four’ weren’t totally eclipsed by the post- Nationalisation Standard era.

The auction was due to be held on April 7, but because of the coronavirus pandemic was switched to May 28 with no live audience and bidding online, commission or telephone. The prices quoted exclude buyer’s premium of 25% (+ VAT).

➜ SeeGeoffCourtney’srailwayana columnonpages 58- 60 for further details of the prices realised.

Topmodel: BRStandard 4MTNo. 80008departs fromPaisleyGilmourStreet stationwiththe Greenock PrincesPier toGlasgowSt Enoch ‘ Cunarder’ onJanuary 31, 1955. In thebackground is another2- 6- 4T, LMSClass 4No. 42259, onatrain from Gourock, both locomotives sporting characteristic whitesmokebox door hinges. A7 ¼ in- gauge live steammodel ofNo. 80008 toppedthe prices in a Dreweatts’ TransportSale onMay28witharealisation of £ 27,000. TRANSPORT TREASURY/ WAC SMITH