Huge collection of model trains sold for £74,000 at auction in Cockermouth

The full sale is made up of lots like these six Bachmann boxed wagons. Credit: Mitchells

A huge collection of model railways has sold for £74,000 at an auction in Cockermouth.

The lots, which were owned by a single collector, include over 1000 locomotives and 3000 pieces of rolling stock. The sale also includes lamps, signage, books and crafting materials.

The two highest valued pieces included an enamel totem which sold for £4,500 - as well as the Cockermouth railway sign which went for £3,300 to a local buyer.

The replicas of the ‘City of Bristol’, County of Northampton and ‘Elders Fyffes’ together have an estimate of £80-£120. Credit: Mitchells

The collection comes from a deceased estate in West Cumbria and it is estimated that the individual may have spent £300,000 to buy the items originally.

The lots went on auction at Mitchells of Cockermouth on 13 April 2033.

All of the items listed had been sold, and speaking about the auction, James Moore from Mitchells, said: "In my 25 years of working in auctions, I have never experienced 100% of the items being auctioned being sold off completely.

"It's unreal, and spectacular."

The estimated value comes from the sheer quantity of the lots and because many are in original boxed condition.

The sale also includes two original signs from Cockermouth Railway Station which closed in 1966 just before the demise of the Penrith to west coast line. 

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