Devoted collector’s ‘ultimate train set’ set to fetch £30,000 at auction

Clifford Patrick, of Surrey, created the set in his attic and was a collector of Hornby O-Gauge model railways until his death in 2003. The entire collection is to be auctioned separately by his family. Duncan Chilcott, of the auctioneers Chilcotts in Tiverton, Devon, said that it was one of the finest and most impressive prewar model train sets.

“The layout included sidings, tunnels and sections of countryside, and among all this were Dinky model cars, taxis and trucks, figures of railway workers and passengers, and sheep and horses, also in good condition. It all looked very realistic, just as Frank Hornby had intended,” he added.

Among the most coveted items are the Folkestone Flyer (likely to fetch £1,000 to £1,500) and the Cornish Riviera Express (£500 to £800) electric passenger train sets. A further 12 locomotives could be sold for up to £400 each.

Dr Patrick’s other models include flying boats, jet airliners, rare classic and sports cars, and groups of stations and platforms.

The sale of 345 lots will be on October 23.