To collectors many models can be a priceless addition to their layouts and one loco has caught the eye of auctioneers in Shrewsbury.
A model known as The Owen Glendower is one of very few five-inch gauge products which portray a golden age of UK steam. The Halls' saleroom value the model at £5,000 and it is set to go under the hammer next month but one problem remains – no-one knows who created this impressive model, Daily Post reports.
Stewart Orr, Hall's toy specialist, is now looking to trace the talented engineer that was able to build the five feet long model steam locomotive from scratch. Mr Orr explained to the news provider that the current owner clubbed together with two others to purchase the model but while they do know that the person in question is from North Wales, no record has been kept in regard to name and address.
The model is based on a famous passenger Britannia Class steam train that was named after the historical novel by John Cowper Powys of the same name. A scaled down version can be purchased from retailers across the world but the five-inch gauge version is a much more impressive and rare version.
Mr Orr explained that the models have been crafted by a "highly skilled engineer" and that they are expected to attract a lot of attention when they go up for auction in the coming days. Everyone from model engineering societies and individual collectors will be interested in taking this unique product home.
Speaking to the news provider, Mr Orr added: "The Owen Glendower, in particular, is an absolutely magnificent piece of engineering work which must have taken thousands of hours to make. It’s contained within a large glass case. It’s the sort of locomotive that is run on outdoor tracks by model engineering societies."