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This train is part of the interesting collection, mainly made-up of German and English origin
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February 07, 2004, 16:30
Antique model trains are big business, and when a collection of more than 100 of these miniature beauties is discovered and goes up for sale, collectors hope to find that elusive one missing from their collection. A widow from East London found the collection in a garage some years after her husband died. The collection is now up for auction and the buyers are flocking.
At the auction there is a genuine steam engine dating back to the 1930s. The train is part of an interesting collection, which is mainly made-up of German and English origin. There is also a highly sort after collectable early model electric train. However, its condition will probably yield a below standard price.
Model trains feature extensive detail even on an engine that is no bigger than a matchbox. Collecting trains is a big hobby in Europe and they also fetch very good prices in England.
"The overseas market will dictate to you that the packaging is very important and the item has to be in mint condition and those are the sort of prices they show you in these books, but they are mint condition," Mark Rose-Innes, the auctioneer, says.
The collection also features complete cardboard models and a Flying Scotchman, also on sale, is more than 80 years old. A few Matchbox Models of yesteryear die-cast model cars are also part of the collection and they will also fall under the hammer. They are also part of the collectable category and some have sold for more than R100 000.
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