NEWBURY.- Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions announced an auction of over 60 carefully curated fine model engineering and transport related items at their Transport Sale on 28 September (12 noon) at Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 2JE.
The star lot is an exhibition quality model of a 7 ¼ inch gauge 2-8-2 SNCF Class 141R tender locomotive. Originally used all over the French rail network (Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Français) from 1945-1974, these locomotives were supplied by The Baldwins Locomotive Works in America. Baldwins were renowned as the largest producer of steam locomotives, but sadly the firm went in to decline after World War II due to the popularity of the diesel engine. The model in the sale this September is of one of the last 703 series of locomotives, which ran on live steam prior to the introduction of oil burners. It was built in 1/8th scale taking over 10,500 hours to complete over a fifteen year period and comes with a documented photographic build history with insightful details of the work and hours involved in its completion. (Lot 43, Est: £50,000-60,000).
A rare 1932 ‘Lines Brothers’ model of a Childs Pedal Car is an eye catching highlight. The model is based on a Vauxhall 30/98 credited as being the first British Sports Car. Restored to a very high standard, this charming pedal car is finished in quality red paintwork with an upholstered seat, fabric hood and fitted side and headlights.
Brothers George and Joseph of G & J Lines Ltd started their business making wooden toys during the Victorian era and Joseph’s sons continued to develop the family business to form Lines Bros Ltd soon after the First World War. At the start of the Second World War, production of children’s toys was deemed non-essential by the British Government. As a result and somewhat ironically, the Lines Bros Ltd production facilities were used to manufacture weapons, specifically the Sten machine gun. Production returned to normal shortly after the war ended and the company continued to make transport related and wooden toys whilst expanding the business overseas. The pedal car carries an estimate of £3,000-4,000 (Lot 58).
Another highlight is a well-engineered 7 ¼ inch gauge model of L.N.E.R. Class A3 4-6-2 tender locomotive ‘Royal Lancer’ No. 60107. This was built to the Henry Greenly design, Greenly being the foremost miniature railway engineer of the 20th century, and is finished in the striking British Railways dark green and black lined livery and measures 274cm. (Lot 41, Est: £10,000-15,000).
An original full-size live steam stationary engine circa 1860 will be of interest to connoisseurs. This stunning example of fine engineering bears the initials of its builder, Joseph Beuchot. Beuchot was chief engineer at Le Creusot Foundry, Burgundy, where smelting operations first commenced in 1782. Le Creusot played a key role in the industrialisation of France. It is believed that the engine was made for a jewellers in Paris circa 1860/1880 and it carries an estimate of £15,000-20,000 (Lot 56).
