Model Trains, Ships & Meccano - Saturday 12 October 2002 | 00:00

Bassett-Lowke 4-6-2 Loco and Tender LMS maroon Turbomotive No.6202, 3 rail 12 volt DC electric. Built circa 1937, this model is the only known example of the famous LMS Turbomotive produced by Bassett-Lowke. It has been proven to be the actual model, complete with its Stanier tender, which was officially photographed by the company and the resultant picture is shown on page 100 of "The Bassett-Lowke Story" by Roland Fuller. This locomotive belonged for many years to Count Giansanti Coluzzi and the model, then a part of his collection, was photographed for Allen Levy's classic work "A Century of Modern Trains" and later for the Count's own book "The Trains on Avenue de Rumine", where it can be seen on pages 128 and 172 respectively. It is clearly seen, however, pictured in both these publications with a "Princess Royal" Fowler style tender instead of the correct Stanier version. The reason for this anachronism can be traced back to an exhibition of model trains in Switzerland during the 1960's, where Count Coluzzi had his Turbomotive on display next to a similar model of the "Princess Royal" which was owned by a fellow collector. During the exhibition the tenders were unwittingly mixed up and the Count duly returned home with the wrong tender. This is how things remained for many years until the mystery was finally unravelled by the present owner of the Turbomotive, who acquired the locomotive directly from the Count. The owner of the "Princess Royal" which had appeared at the Swiss exhibition all those years ago was traced and the Turbomotive's original Stanier uncovered. Following an exchange of tenders, the locomotive and its original tender were finally reunited. It has been an interesting life up to now for a Bassett-Lowke model which as well as being in lovely condition, is truly unique. Excellent Plus.