RESTRICTIONS EASE – TIME TO GET ‘BACK IN THE ROOM’?

WE ARE coming up to two years since the effects of the Covid pandemic hit the railwayana auction scene when the first lockdown was imposed in March 2020.

With the spring months traditionally being a busy period for auctions, organisers had to think quickly of alternative ways to keep their sales available to bidders as many venues had to close their doors.

Sales were switched to being open to buyers by email, telephone and online with some presenting ‘live online’ auctions.

“There is no doubt that, during lockdown, most people became used to watching and bidding online and, to be frank, sales results have been, if anything, better,” says Michael Wickham, Director, Transport Auctions of London Ltd (TAL).

“Railwayana auction clientèle are generally in the upper age groups, and they may remain very cautious about close social interaction,” Michael added.

“Until things change significantly, TAL will remain online, plus telephone and commission bids, of course.”

The next TAL auction is to be held on Saturday February 26 (www. transportauctionslondon.com).

Among the events wiped out by the pandemic was an ELR50 exhibition to mark the 50th anniversary of the closure of the East Lincolnshire Railway line. Items associated with the line would have been on display from August to October 2020 at Batemans Brewery, Wainfleet.

In conjunction, Talisman Railwayana Auctions was planning a sale featuring memorabilia from the area. Neither the exhibition or auction could go ahead.

Talisman is now hoping to hold a ‘Special Lincolnshire Auction’ on Saturday March 26 at the Cedric Ford Pavilion, Newark Showground, Notts. See www.talismanauctions.co.uk

Elsewhere, Cheffins Cambridge Vintage Auction is returning to its ‘traditional live and online format’ for a two-day sale on Friday April 22 and Saturday April 23

(www.cheffins.co.uk).