Unique Forth Rail Bridge images for sale at railway auction

Images of the construction of the Forth Rail Bridge are set to come under the hammer at a special railway auction next month.
A unique item for sale at the auction is a piece of the first sod turned in the construction of the Hull and Barnsley Railway in an inscribed presentation box.A unique item for sale at the auction is a piece of the first sod turned in the construction of the Hull and Barnsley Railway in an inscribed presentation box.
A unique item for sale at the auction is a piece of the first sod turned in the construction of the Hull and Barnsley Railway in an inscribed presentation box.

A private collection of railway memorabilia is coming up for auction in Tennants’ sale of Toys, Models and Collectables on April 5. The collection focusses on North Eastern railways in the years preceding the 1921 Railways Act, when the myriad independent railway companies were amalgamated into four national companies.

Up for sale are over 30 lots of Railwayana including various items relating to the very early days of the permanent way.

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However, perhaps the most fascinating lot up for sale is a set of 12 Glass Magic Lantern Slides by G. W. Wilson depicting schematics and photographs of the construction of the Forth Rail Bridge.

Glass Magic Lantern Slides depicting the construction of the Forth Rail Bridge.Glass Magic Lantern Slides depicting the construction of the Forth Rail Bridge.
Glass Magic Lantern Slides depicting the construction of the Forth Rail Bridge.

Construction of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and iconic Scottish landmark began in 1882, and was at the time the longest single cantilever bridge span in the world. Whilst many pictures exist of the completed work it is rare to find those of the bridge under construction, schematics of the ironwork and caisson supports and even including one of the engineers demonstrating the cantilever principle with the aid of two chairs, some timber and a hundredweight. The slides are being sold with an estimate of £500-700.

Another unique item for sale with an estimate of £200-300, is a piece of the first sod turned in the construction of the Hull and Barnsley Railway (one of the last independent Victorian railway companies to be formed in 1881). The sod was presented by the Chairman of the Railway, Lieut. Col. Gerard Smith JP to John Fisher JP, Sherriff of Kingston upon Hull, who was one of the first directors of the company and is housed within an inscribed presentation box.

A fully illustrated catalogue for the sale of Toys, Models & Collectables will be available at www.tennants.co.uk, leading up to the sale, alternatively, please contact the salerooms for further details.