Such scale replicas are often built over many years by enthusiasts and among the best examples on offer this autumn is a model steam locomotive of an LMS 2-6-0 Hughes Crab.
It was built in fine detail over many years by modelmaker Thomas Tegg, who embarked on the project in the 1990s. When finally completed, the model won a silver medal at the Model Engineering Exhibition in 2008 and was greatly commended for its the level of detail and the outstanding care taken over the scale.
The Original Crab Locomotive was designed by George Hughes and built between 1926 and 1932. Of the 245 built in Harwich and Crewe, three are left in preservation, including the first locomotive in the national collection at York.
Tegg’s model is built to 5inch gauge and comes complete with the medal, certificate and plans. It will be offered at Sheffield Auction Gallery on October 12 with a £10,000 estimate.
Another model steam train that took thousands of hours to construct from scratch will appear at Charterhouse of Sherborne, Dorset on September 22.
The 3.5in scale model of a British Railways steam locomotive and tender (LBSE Betty, 2-6-2) with black livery and traditional fittings was built by an owner who ran it in his back garden pulling his grandchildren.
Mounted on a display rail and with a boiler test record from the Southern Federation of Model Engineering Society, as well as a hydraulic test certificate, it is estimated at £3000-5000.
