The O-gauge Sir Nigel Gresley number 4498 is highly rare, only three have been seen at auction in over a decade and not since 1994 has one appeared in original condition. This example had been stored away untouched since the 1960s. It was part of a collection formed by a Yorkshireman, now deceased, who had run a penny arcade in a fairground in the 1930s. The collection was put into the auction by his descendants. It was in the kind of condition that collectors look for - it was stained and needed a clean, perhaps requiring the eye of a professional restorer, but crucially it had not been tampered with or repainted.
The 12V DC electric train and tender was introduced in 1936, priced 16 guineas. How many Bassett Lowke made in total is not known, but since none were made after the War, it is certainly fewer than 100.
At the North Yorkshire sale, the bidding went up to £9000 in the room, before the telephones took over. It finally fell to a southern collector at £10,600 (plus 15% buyer's premium). Although this was a new auction record for the model, ATG understand that examples have changed hands privately for greater amounts.
