A REMARKABLE model railway collection has fetched almost £50,000 after it went under the hammer.

The collection consisting of almost 300 individual auction lots was brought to Reeman Dansie auction house in Colchester after its owner died.

Ian Standfast, 87, built up his extraordinary assembly as part of a lifelong passion shared with his father, Claude.

The collector enjoyed a lengthy career working on the railways and never owned a car, such was his unrivalled passion for trains.

Gazette: Collector - Ian Standfast's remarkable model railway collection has gone under the hammer after his deathCollector - Ian Standfast's remarkable model railway collection has gone under the hammer after his death (Image: Reeman Dansie)

Gazette: Hefty price - this model locomotive train sold for £740 at auction Hefty price - this model locomotive train sold for £740 at auction (Image: Reeman Dansie)

His collection has now fetched £45,885 at auction after hundreds of items went up for grabs following his death in January last year.

A biography published about Mr Standfast on Reeman Dansie’s website explains how he inherited his father’s interest in model railway at an early age.

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“Along with their mutual interest, Ian also inherited his father’s eye for detail, with every part made exactly right as perfection in miniature was sought,” it reads.

Mr Standfast’s cousin Rosemary added: “I can recall as a child he had a model railway layout running around his garden, which was both superbly detailed and also very large. It was just incredible.”

Gazette: Safe hands - this model came encased in glassSafe hands - this model came encased in glass (Image: Reeman Dansie)

Gazette: Remarkable collection - one of the items which went on saleRemarkable collection - one of the items which went on sale (Image: Reeman Dansie)

The most expensive item during the auction came in the form of a locomotive train with a tender attached, raising a cool £740.

Other unique products which were snapped up included parts of a train station and platform, a crane and water tank.

More from the auction house: Extraordinary Charles Darwin collection could reach £100k in Colchester auction

Auctioneer Lewis Rabett said: “It is always an honour to get a really nice collection. The trains were very important to Ian and he obviously treasured them in his life.

“It is nice to be involved with sorting the items out and to do them justice.”

Gazette: Auctioneer - Lewis Rabett said it was an honour to sell the collectionAuctioneer - Lewis Rabett said it was an honour to sell the collection (Image: Reeman Dansie)

Gazette: Platform accessories - these models sold for £220Platform accessories - these models sold for £220 (Image: Reeman Dansie)

The items have now been moved on to homes all across the country with the auction attracting a wide range of interest.

The sale follows a huge operation in identifying the creator of each piece of kit and its name.

Mr Rabett added: “We had it all laid out and it took up most of the store.

“It was really nice to do a sale like that and find new homes for everything.”

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