ON TRACK TO FETCH £80K

A MODEL train collection worth up to £80,000 will go under the hammer this month.

More than 800 items for sale represent the lifetime work of a collector from Northumberland.

They will be sold in more than 250 lots at Gildings Auctioneers , in Market Harborough, next Tuesday.

The owner’s collection of O and OO gauge model railways began when his father, a master mariner who died at sea during the Second World War, gave him his first model train.

The collection includes locomotives, passenger coaches, wagons, rolling stock and accessories, most described as in as new or near new condition.

Andrew Smith, Gildings’ model railway specialist, said: “We are very much looking forward to auctioning this fantastic collection of locomotives.

“This collection from an owner who was fascinated by both the second-hand and the new, as well as the working history of his collection, is guaranteed to have something for every collector as it spans over 80 years of Britain’s rich railway history.”

The lots include examples from sought-after model train makers such as Bassett-Lowke, ACE Trains, Vintage Trains, Hornby, Darstaed and Trix.

An ACE Trains O gauge Blink Bonny locomotive is estimated at £350 to £450, while the Ludlow Castle locomotive by Vintage Trains, is estimated at £200 to £300.

The auction house believes the lots will fetch in total between £50,000 and £80,000.

Andrew said: “This sale is an unmissable opportunity for collectors to acquire pieces from the collection of this discerning owner, who constantly enhanced his expertise by reading the relevant publications and attending club meetings with friends.

“Based on the high levels of interest we have seen at recent auctions of this kind, we are anticipating high demand on the day from model railway enthusiasts keen to take this unique opportunity to add to their collections from their favourite eras.

The auction is available to view in person by appointment on September 14 and at: