Model train that took 10 YEARS to build is set to sell for record-breaking £200,000 at auction

It is a throwback to the era when steam trains set world records. But this model locomotive is tipped to break a record of its own when it goes up for auction.

The one-eighth scale version of the Duchess of Buccleuch, described as one of the finest ever built, is expected to fetch £200,000.

It is one of two models of the loco made by renowned train builder Harry Powell. 

Painted in the original crimson London, Midland and Scottish Railway’s livery, it belonged to prominent model maker Ted Martin, who died aged 88 in 2010. The model is being sold by his estate at auction house Dreweatts, in Newbury, Berkshire, on March 12. Above, the train is cleaned by an auction assistant

The model train features intricate component designs. It is being sold by his estate at auction house Dreweatts, in Newbury, Berkshire, on March 12 with a pre-sale estimate of £150,000

The model train features intricate component designs. It is being sold by his estate at auction house Dreweatts, in Newbury, Berkshire, on March 12 with a pre-sale estimate of £150,000

The other sold for a world record £183,000 seven years ago. 

The 10ft long locomotive and tender took Mr Powell 18,000 hours to build over ten years and is believed to have been completed around 1970.

He used original drawings to create an exact working replica of the Duchess of Buccleuch, which operated on the West Coast Main Line between London and Glasgow for a quarter of a century. 

The 10ft long locomotive and tender took Mr Powell 18,000 hours to build over ten years and is believed to have been completed around 1970. The one-eighth scale version of the Duchess of Buccleuch, described as one of the finest ever built, is expected to fetch £200,000

The 10ft long locomotive and tender took Mr Powell 18,000 hours to build over ten years and is believed to have been completed around 1970. The one-eighth scale version of the Duchess of Buccleuch, described as one of the finest ever built, is expected to fetch £200,000

Giant from the golden age of rail

  • Built in 1938 at Crewe, the Duchess of Buccleuch was 74ft long and weighed nearly 60 tons. 
  • It was one of 38 Coronation Class steam locos designed by William Stanier for the London, Midland and Scottish Railway. 
  • It hauled passengers at speeds of over 100mph and was used on the Royal Scot service between London and Glasgow. 
  • The loco survived a minor derailment in 1949 – but the advent of diesel and electric trains saw it taken out of service in 1963 and cut up for scrap.

The attention to detail is such that it is fitted with a copper boiler, safety valves, regulator, blower, whistle, brake, wheel reverse gear, sliding firedoors, pressure gauges, twin water sight gauges and a hardwood floor.

Painted in the original crimson London, Midland and Scottish Railway’s livery, it belonged to prominent model maker Ted Martin, who died aged 88 in 2010. 

It is being sold by his estate at auction house Dreweatts, in Newbury, Berkshire, on March 12 with a pre-sale estimate of £150,000.

Michael Matthews, of Dreweatts, said the model is ‘as close as you can get to the real thing’ and could easily fetch £200,000.

He added: ‘Harry Powell is considered to be the Rembrandt of the model train making world. I would say it is one of the best railway models ever built.’

The model was painted in the original crimson London, Midland and Scottish Railway¿s livery. Michael Matthews, of Dreweatts, said the model is ¿as close as you can get to the real thing'

The model was painted in the original crimson London, Midland and Scottish Railway’s livery. Michael Matthews, of Dreweatts, said the model is ‘as close as you can get to the real thing’

The front of the train is even fitted with a smoke box door, which was used to stop char from escaping out of the chimney. The train is one of two models built. The other model sold for a world record £183,000 seven years ago

The front of the train is even fitted with a smoke box door, which was used to stop char from escaping out of the chimney. The train is one of two models built. The other model sold for a world record £183,000 seven years ago

The attention to detail is such that it is fitted with a copper boiler, safety valves, regulator, blower, whistle, brake, wheel reverse gear, sliding firedoors, pressure gauges, twin water sight gauges and a hardwood floor

The attention to detail is such that it is fitted with a copper boiler, safety valves, regulator, blower, whistle, brake, wheel reverse gear, sliding firedoors, pressure gauges, twin water sight gauges and a hardwood floor

An auction assistant peers inside the cabin to view the intricate controls in astonishing detail. The model is one eighth in size to the original train, and is fitted with a blower, whistle, and a brake

An auction assistant peers inside the cabin to view the intricate controls in astonishing detail. The model is one eighth in size to the original train, and is fitted with a blower, whistle, and a brake

Mr Powell used original drawings to create an exact working replica of the Duchess of Buccleuch, which operated on the West Coast Main Line between London and Glasgow for a quarter of a century

Mr Powell used original drawings to create an exact working replica of the Duchess of Buccleuch, which operated on the West Coast Main Line between London and Glasgow for a quarter of a century

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