Abbey is a clear winner as Castles hold the fort for GWR
IT may not have been game, set and match to the GWR in Great Central’s 450-lot auction on May 7, but it wasn’t far off. Way ahead of the pack was nameplate Reading Abbey with ‘Castle class’ appendage from No. 5084 which went for £23,000. Second, albeit far behind, was Banbury Castle from another member of the class, No. 7011 (£8000).
This 4-6-0’s realisation was matched by Midlothian from LNER-designed, BR-built Peppercorn A1 Pacific No. 60151, and bringing up the rear was the Southern Railway with Epsom from Schools class No. 30937 (£6200) and Sir Balan from King Arthur No. 30769 at £5000. The smokebox numberplates from each of this SR pair sold immediately after their respective nameplates, from No. 30937 for £1050 and No. 30769’s for £1550.
Valenta memento
London Scottish with badge from Royal Scot No. 46124 was the sole steam nameplate that didn’t sell under the hammer, but it did go after full-time for £10,000.
Diesels were led by a £6600 from HST125 power car No. 43123, which was the last of 197 Class 43 units to retain its 79-litre V12 Paxman Valenta engine in service.
