Collectors set to dig deep for 5in gauge garden railway locomotives

AS REPORTED in last month’s issue, four 5in gauge exhibition quality live steam models from the Hewell & Tardebigge model steam garden railway, near Redditch, will form the centrepiece of a Transport Sale being held by Dreweatts on April 20, with estimates of up to £25,000. They are GWR Nos. 2921 Saint Dunstan, 6026 King John, and 7825 Lechlade Manor, and BR Standard No. 78019.

Beneath this quartet will be a number of models consigned by other vendors that also have estimates into four figures, topped by a 5in gauge GWR No. 6009 King Charles II, which carries a‘Torbay Express’headboard and is estimated to sell for up to £20,000, followed by a 5in gauge model of another GWR locomotive, No. 7007 Great Western (£15,000).

This 4-6-0 was given the name

Ogmore Castle on entering traffic in July 1946 but was renamed by BR in January 1948 in recognition of it being the last express locomotive built by the GWR at Swindon, and its original name given to No. 7035. It was withdrawn in February 1963 from Worcester (85A).

Another GWR representative is 7¼in gauge 0-4-2T No. 1417, carrying a top estimate of £12,000.

Among models estimated to go under the hammer at up to £5000 are LMS Pacific No. 6203 Princess Margaret Rose in gauge 1, and 5in gauge GER T26 class 2-4-0 No. 490, which has been preserved as part of the National Collection. The auction, which will be conducted by Dreweatts’managing director Jonathan Pratt, starts at 10.30am. Bidding will be live online, or by telephone or commission.