Familiar – and adjustable – faces from the children’s TV adaptation of the Thomas the Tank Engine books will be sold at auction this month.
The charity sale, hosted by Propstore in association with Mattel, will benefit the National Autistic Society.
The TV series Thomas & Friends, ran from 1984 to 2021 with more than 500 episodes.
The show was based on the Railway Series books by the Reverend W Awdry. Generations of children grew up with the books, that were published into the 1970s, and were intended to accurately reflect the railways that their author so loved.
Colin the Crane in action in a screenshot from the TV series. Colin can be yours for around £1,000. Image from Propstore Auctions.
A number of attempts to film the series were derailed – literally in the case of one live-action BBC attempt in the 1950s – before the success of Thomas & Friends, memorably voiced by former-Beatle Ringo Starr.
The models for sale are instantly recognisable, and come with the faces that made them expressive.
There are 270 lots in the sale. Many are model engines, but you can also buy character figures, including the famous Fat Controller, who ran North West Railways, and sets.
Trains are an enduring fascination for some, and model trains inspire a lively collecting scene.
The most valuable train at auction was an American set by the Lionel Corporation. Made in 1934, the train, sold in mint condition with its original packaging realised $250,000 at auction in 2007.
A character figure for the Fat Controller is listed with a £600 asking price. Image from Propstore Auctions.
In the UK, the Hornby brand dominated the sector and some are now valuable. Collections of old Hornby trains have realised above £20,000 at auction. In 1983, Hornby released a Thomas the Tank engine clockwork train that is now one of their most valuable single items, worth around £500.
These model trains were TV stars and some carry estimates into the thousands.
The most valuable item pre-sale is a model of Arthur, along with nine faces, that has an asking price of £13,000.
Bidding is open now.
