Veteran London Underground 1938 stock to share spotlight with main line

SHEDPLATES, cast iron ‘Beware,' ‘Propping up' and ‘Trespass' signs, posters, and a North British Loco Co worksplate are among the main line memorabilia on offer in the Transport Auctions of London sale on July 31, supported by London Underground enamelware, maps, and a large selection of cab destination plates and other items from the 38-Tube stock.

The worksplate is NBL works

No. 22088, from a 2-8-0 built for the Railway Operating Division in 1919 and acquired by the GWR in 1926. It survived into BR ownership as No. 3024 and was one of the last five members of the class in service, being withdrawn from Carmarthen (87G) in October 1958.

The 38-Tube stock ran on London Underground for 50 years until 1988, but eight units enjoyed an Indian summer operating as BR Class 483 on the Ryde Pier Head-Shanklin line on the Isle of Wight from 1989 until January this year, at which time they were the country's oldest passenger trains in regular service. Among other signs going under the hammer is a London Transport ‘Bill stickers will be prosecuted' example. As the auction house's Michael Wickham pondered: “Poor old Bill Stickers is still in trouble!”

The auction starts at 10am, with bids being accepted live online and by email, telephone, or commission.