Ted Kenny, a printer hailing from York, got his first train set during the 1940s for Christmas, igniting a lifelong passion for trains – however, three years ago he passed away at age 86.
The scope of the layout is immense, resulting in three years of work for Mr Kenny's family who disassembled and relocated it from his residence, preparing it for auction in Scarborough.
Auctioneer Graham Paddison, of David Duggleby, explained the vast extent of the collection saying it includes 131 locomotives – some of which have never been run – ‘dozens’ of vintage passenger carriages, 80 goods wagons, two breakdown cranes and a significant amount of track.
The sale will be held on January 12 at the Duggleby auction room. The layout took up an entire room in Mr Kenny’s house, which has since been sold.
5. Some of Ted Kenny's 131 locomotive collection
Ted Kenny amassed a hoard of trains that included 131 locomotives, 80 goods wagons and two breakdown cranes before he passed away at 86.The railway enthusiast caught the bug for model collecting after receiving a second-hand set as a Christmas present when he was a schoolboy in the late 1940s. Photo: David Duggleby Auctioneers / SWNS
6. Some of Ted Kenny's collection he started in the 1940s
Some of Ted Kenny's collection, which he spent 50 years painstakingly putting together before his death, could fetch £10,000 when it goes up for auction. Photo: David Duggleby Auctioneers /SWNS
7. Ted Kenny's Pacific Sir Nigel Gresley
Ted Kenny's model Class A4 Pacific Sir Nigel Gresley. Kenny went on to build his epic train track in the attic of his home in York, which measured roughly 12ft by 5ft and completely filled the room. Photo: David Duggleby Auctioneers / SWNS
8. Graham Paddison, from David Duggleby Auctioneers
Graham Paddison, from David Duggleby Auctioneers, with some of the Ted Kenny's 131 locomotive collection. Photo: David Duggleby Auctioneers / SWNS