GRS kits at auction

[MikeWilliams]

Lawrences Auctioneers of Crewkerne have a sale on 20th May which includes half a dozen GRS things: Class 121 Railcar, GWR railcar, Autotrailer (banana shaped!) and a couple of others.  Starting prices seem low, but local auctioneers often have no idea how to handle models, so watch for damage.

Mike

[richardgreen]

Oh dear, Just when you think you've seen the worst ever put together kit ever , along comes another outstandingly awful one . It's obviously put together by a blind Chimpanzee on drugs . Apologies if you happen to know said Chimpanzee on substances, but these kits aren't cheap and let's be honest if you knew your limitations to building a kit you'd maybe select something a bit easier.


Rich

[John Candy]

Whilst I have no idea of the source of these items, I would say a few words in defence of the builder.
The GRS kit for the GWR autotrailer car is inherently weak: The sides are long, unbraced, lengths of thin resin and susceptible to bowing in the most grotesque manner! I guess it is the effect of sunlight causing the resin to "sag".
I repaired (for a friend) an example which he purchased secondhand. The model was fine when received, newly-built, by the original owner (whom I also know) but it gradually degraded over the course of a few years.
I rebuilt with internal metal bracing, which cured the distortion.

The repairs are covered here : https://g3forum.org.uk/index.php/topic,2062.msg13113.html#msg13113
The images have disappeared from the original post and are repeated below.

John

[richardgreen]

Those repairs look very good John, and i have to say what a difference you made to what would be a very disappointing kit.
The model i saw that utterly horrified me was the Pannier Tank Loco , after seeing that i ran for cover!


Rich.

[MikeWilliams]

This is the autocoach and the bubblecar.  It dos show a great deal of warping, but so far the bid is £65 for the two, which I don't think is expensive!  I' not sure that the pannier is Gauge 3?

Mike

[MikeWilliams]

photo didn't upload so here's another attempt!

[John Candy]

The dimension quoted for the Pannier suggest it is 4mm/"00" ..... the wheels look like Romfords.
You have to laugh at the topsy-turvy SV bonnet!!
On close inspection, it is not a 57XX but a 2021 class .... note the splashers, firebox top profile and small wheels(possibly a "Cotswold" kit)..

John

[Chris_P]

Sorry I seem to be struggling with the new format and links but if we're talking about lot 1705A (https://www.lawrences.co.uk/sales/fine-art-sales/fs200522/view-lot/1705A/) the Mayflower looks to be the Merlin loco works 16mm garden railway model (to avoid any possible copyright issues I've not copied a picture from a search engine) which would suggest the pannier probably is G3 comparing sizes.  I suspect a typical non specialist auctioneer listing in a hurry as the Mayflower is gas fired but with batteries for the radio control and these models in good condition sell for serious money in the right place as they are quite collectable as examples of the early years of the 16mm hobby.  As ever buyer beware but anyone local may feel inspection of these models worthwhile the 41cms probably refers to length not height of the pannier.

[John Candy]

I read 41cm as 4.1cm .... if it is 41cm high then it would have to be around 7.25 inch gauge!
If "Mayflower" is a live steam 16mm loco, then the Pannier is probably from the GRS 2021 kit but how anyone could make such a hash of it is beyond me! The 2021 was offered both in live steam and electric versions.

John.

[MikeWilliams]

It says "also with a Mayflower battery operated 0-4-0" so Mayflower is not live steam.  The wheels on the pannier looked Romford to me too, but looking again they are pressed into the axles, so they are not.

Whatever, I think we've established that all the potential Gauge 3 models need careful study before bidding, but I hope somebody will go and report back!

Mike

[Chris_P]

Seems the hammer fell at £360 and the Mayflower sold within 24 hours of listing on ebay for £600
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/394091544888?hash=item5bc1afc138:g:8EEAAOSwM-1ij-v5 The same seller is now listing the pannier for £450 on a buy it now https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/394099434712?hash=item5bc22824d8:g:QEQAAOSwqYFil75z Not a bad profit if it also sells.

[keith Bristol]

Just looked at pictures..,interesting paint

[John Candy]

Just looked at pictures..,interesting paint

Looking at the seams and joints it looks as though the solder has been applied with a putty knife .... or is that filler!?
I found the underside view interesting ..... just look at the art deco coupling rods!

John.

[Doddy]

I found the underside view interesting

Yes! Especially the Osmotor! Although I wouldn't pay $450 just for that item, though.

[Chris_P]

Price now reduced to £380 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/394100217304?hash=item5bc23415d8:g:QEQAAOSwqYFil75z also https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/134146107949?hash=item1f3bbb2a2d:g:jwQAAOSwDlZip4S5 has appeared with a different seller but originally sourced from the same Crewkerne auction https://www.lawrences.co.uk/sales/fine-art-sales/fs200522/view-lot/1706/