Nameplates, posters, chamber pots, toast racks up for auction as Network Rail sells a carriage and wagon

Published: 1st September 2015

Silver plated wine strainer, miniature locomotives and huge nameplates at auction this weekend

The 197th Great Central Railwayana auction takes place on Saturday September 5th at Stoneleigh Park between Coventry and Leamington with a special bus running from Coventry.

There are 500 Lots to bid for, representing the whole railway from chamber pots, a silver plated salt spoon to wine strainers to station signs and locomotive nameplates. Estimates range between under £100 to over £25,000 so there is something for everybody, however limited their budget or whatever their area of railway interest may be.

Amongst the smaller items offered for sale is a LSWR vintage railway chamber pot, and various culinary linked items such as toast rack, teapot, silver tongs, ladle, lobster pick, wine bottle holder and an ashtray. They all carry a hint of their railway past with suitable engravings and any would make a great conversation piece at dinner!

How much?

But if its locomotive nameplates that interest you, prepare to spend heavily on a ‘Duchess’ No. 46250 City of Lichfield plate measuring over 75 inches long. It will be heavy on a wall and on the pocket and may reach £30,000! Other nameplates are on offer ranging around the £10,000 mark despite the prices thought to be gently declining as those who remember steam getting older.

Locomotive smokebox number plates are always on offer and can often be used as a house number plate, so long as it is securely fixed to the wall or door! And if it’s a steam whistle you require, there are several of these available as well as a couple of miniature steam locomotives, a Duchess and a Merchant Navy.

Station signs are always popular and there are around 50 of these on offer along with another dozen or so information signs and these will generally cost no more than a few thousand pounds. Some are from open stations and others, long closed and range across the UK. Many people are interested in signalling and there are signalbox nameplates, levers and drawings up for grabs.

Ladies and Gentlemen!

The usual offerings of other enamel railway signs will be popular, no doubt those displaying Gentlemen, Ladies or Station Master will be in demand for further use in offices or houses!

Advertising carriage prints and posters

Those with a specific interest in art and geography will be interested in advertising carriage prints depicting scenes between the Channel Islands and the Scottish Highlands, Swanage and Portsmouth.

A large selection of railway advertising posters are also up for grabs ranging between a Cuneo Tay Bridge scene to a Farnborough ’68 Concorde event urging visitor to go by train. Many of these are striking illustrations from the golden age of poster advertising and can go for up to £1000 or more, but equally, bargains can be had.

The auction is accompanied by various railwayana trade stands and even as a spectator event, it is interesting especially when two bidders are after the same item, the crowd becomes silent as the bidding war hots up!

The auctioneers are insured and have a long history in the business as to the items offered being verified as described. You must be registered to bid and this can be done on the day but allow time for this as it is a busy event.

Carriage and wagon sale by Network Rail

Network Rail is offering a former sleeper carriage and a large freight wagon located at Derby, for sale by Tender with bids to be made by September 10 at 4pm. The purchaser will have to collect the rolling stock which are offered for sale ‘as seen’ and agrees to indemnify Network Rail against all actions, claims, costs, expenses, losses, damages and other liability arising from the continued use of the Materials.

Both vehicles have not been used for eight years and must be removed by road transport so may only be useful for mobile storage on a preserved railway rather than being returned to service. The former sleeper carriage is a Mark 111 vehicle No. DB 977989 which has been fitted out as an accomodation vehicle including a toilet, kitchen and eating area but importantly, does not have a handbrake.

The former ferrywagon for sale, No. DC889400 has been fitted out a mobile tool van, stores and workshop and both items were used by Fastline before they entered Network Rail ownership.

Site visits and bids by 4pm on September 10 can be made by contacting NSCRedundantAssets@networkrail.co.uk.

External Links

• www.gcrauctions.com
• www.sheffieldrailwayana.co.uk
• www.railwayana.net