The Brian Elliott Collection of Scratch Built Live Steam Fine Scale Models will be the star of Tennants Auctioneers’ Summer Transport Sale on 15th July.
Brian Elliott of West Yorkshire ran his family’s brick manufacturing business, and always had industry at the forefront of his mind. However, since childhood he had had a passion for building model trains and began making small scale locomotives at home. Over the years his skill and knowledge grew, alongside the size of the model locomotives and steam engines he built, and Mr Elliott was still making his models in his eighties. He was fascinated by the planning, designing and technical precision needed to make such fine models, his enthusiasm and ability shining through in the beautifully engineered and well-built models.
Many of the models on offer in the sale are beautifully rendered copies of real locomotive engines and traction engines, including the highlight of the sale a 10 ¼” Gauge 4-2-2 Stirling Single Class No. 1 Locomotive, finished in green as the Great Northern Railway No. 1 (estimate: £25,000-30,000 plus buyer’s premium). This is regarded by collectors as one of the most beautiful locomotives and a fine example of early locomotive engineering. Also of note is a very well-engineered 10 ¼“ Gauge 0-4-2T Collett Class 14xx Locomotive finished in Green as Great Western Railway 1400, on offer with an estimate of £4,000-6,000.
Anthony Coulls, Senior Curator at the National Railway Museum, York says of the collection: “It is a rare privilege to see a collection of quality locomotive models so well engineered and finished as these. The Stirling Single is the second largest model of its type ever to have been made and is a sight to behold, as much a thing of joy for its creator, Mr Elliott, as the original would have been for Patrick Stirling back in 1870. I am sure it will find an appropriate and loving home.”
Mr Elliott set up a miniature railway around the garden of his family home, Ingle Court, near Huddersfield, on which ran some of his model locomotives and carriages. His daughter recalls the joy of having the miniature railway running at children’s parties, and the family’s boxer dogs being regular and enthusiastic passengers. The miniature garden railway set will be on offer in the sale with an estimate of £4,000-6,000, and the collection comprises 31 lots.
Highlights from the rest of the sale include a 1990 Peugot 205 GTI, once owned by Alf Wight OBE, also known as James Herriot. The Peugot has only just over 30,000 miles on the clock, and the classic collector’s vehicle will be offered with an estimate of £18,000-22,000. Amongst the other vehicles in the sale is a good 1958 Morgan 4/4 Series II in British racing green on offer with an estimate of £8,000-12,000, which has been in the possession of the same local owner since 1967, and a good selection of motorcycles including a 1952 Triumph T100 on offer with an estimate of £5,000-6,000. The sale will also include a wide range of cherished number plates, automobilia including a Lalique Coq Nain Glass Car Mascot, Shell Petrol Pump Globes, Enamel Signs, and model vehicles.
View Sale
