All aboard as the Nigel Mann ‘Railway Works’ goes to auction

A lifetime collection of model trains is to be sold at Chilcotts Auctioneers November 15 Specialist Collectors Auction.

The ‘Railway Works’ was amassed by Nigel Mann, who passed away in 2023. Nigel was well known and respected in the train modelling world both for his personal passion and his willingness to help others pursue theirs.

The Mann family were railway enthusiasts; Nigel’s father worked for British Rail, and Nigel was first involved with the West Somerset Railway (WSR) in the late 1970s. He became a volunteer passenger guard and signalman, roles he continued in for around 40 years.

At the age of 14, Nigel joined the Whitley Bay Model Railway Group, which his mother was also a member of. He was known for his readiness to help members build their own layouts and continued to be involved until the group closed in the mid-1990s. At home, he spent hours setting up his own track in various layouts, including ‘Trenance’, which featured in the Railway Modeller magazine.

Nigel was a lynchpin of the Bristol Model Railway Exhibition - which originally took place in Bristol, then Thornbury - booking exhibitors and their layouts, and often helping to operate guest layouts. He joined the Ipswich Transport Society, contributed regularly to the Railway Correspondence and Travel Society and was a member of the Association of Model Railway Clubs Wales and West of England.

Together with his father, Nigel built up a large collection over 40 years; it became so large that they had to hire part of a sports hall to lay it out.

Auctioneer, Duncan Chilcott said: “His enthusiasm continued through the years, and when the collection arrived at Chilcotts, there were two containers-worth! Trains, tracks, layouts, books, tickets and line-side accessories were duly sorted and catalogued, revealing many treasures that I’m sure will appeal to model train enthusiasts, as well as plenty of items that can be added to other collections.”

Sale highlights include ‘N’ Gauge and ‘00’ Gauge trains, with models from many countries: Hornby, Graham Farish and Mainline from England; Bachmann from Germany; and Lima from Italy. There are also models of steam, diesel, and electric locos, with famous trains such as ‘Flying Scotsman’, ‘Lord Nelson’, ‘Blue Peter’, ‘Inter-city 125’, ‘Armada’, and ‘Howard of Effingham’, plus Pullman sets such as ‘Devon Belle’, many of which are limited editions. All the models are in their original boxes and in excellent condition.

Chilcotts has catalogued the items with model train collectors in mind – putting individual locos in a lot, rather than grouping them together; most are estimated at £80-120 (plus 25% Buyers Premium).

The auction, which also features medals, militaria, toys and models, postcards, books, maps and ephemera, clocks, antiques and twentieth century design, takes place at the Dolphin Saleroom, Honiton High Street, on November 15 at 10am. In person viewing is available from November 12, and the online catalogue can be accessed via the Chilcotts website, where details of online bidding are also provided.