0:00:04 > 0:00:10Today we've headed out to the stunning Yorkshire coastline famous for its fishing heritage.
0:00:10 > 0:00:12Welcome to Flog It from Whitby.
0:00:35 > 0:00:40Whitby is split into two by a swing bridge dividing the town into east and west.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44All over the town are dotted fishermen's cottages,
0:00:44 > 0:00:48narrow cobbled streets and lanes which date back to medieval days.
0:00:48 > 0:00:52Boasting a beautiful harbour, it's a great place to visit.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58Explorer and navigator Captain James Cook
0:00:58 > 0:01:02began his training as a seaman here in Whitby
0:01:02 > 0:01:06and it was also here that his famous ship HM Endeavour was built.
0:01:06 > 0:01:11Cook made three major voyages to the Pacific and en route accurately charted coastlines
0:01:11 > 0:01:16and several islands for the very first time on European maps.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23Later in the show, it's full steam ahead as I take a trip
0:01:23 > 0:01:27on this magnificent railway across the North Yorkshire Moors.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29TOOTS HORN
0:01:32 > 0:01:38And on their own voyage of discovery today are our two experts, Mr Philip Serrell and Kate Bateman.
0:01:38 > 0:01:44They'll look at all items brought along, picking out the best and selling them in auction later on.
0:01:44 > 0:01:48Hopefully, there's going to be one or two big surprises.
0:01:48 > 0:01:52We've got a healthy crowd outside Whitby Pavilion.
0:01:52 > 0:01:58It's time to get them inside because they've got to ask that important question, "What's it worth?"
0:01:58 > 0:02:01What will you do when you find out? Flog it!
0:02:15 > 0:02:19With everyone inside, it's time to start our valuations
0:02:19 > 0:02:24and it looks like Kate has found a rather nice jug with a nautical interest.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27Trevor, you've brought a bit of maritime history.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31Not that I know anything about maritime history, but yeah.
0:02:31 > 0:02:33Right. What do you know about it?
0:02:33 > 0:02:39It originally belonged to my grandparents and it was passed down to my father
0:02:39 > 0:02:43and it was just stuck in a wall unit for a long time.
0:02:43 > 0:02:48My mother wanted to get rid of it, but my father wouldn't let her.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50He was a wise man, but you got it?
0:02:50 > 0:02:54Yeah, cos she doesn't want it. My father's passed away now.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58- She's booted it out of the house and you've got it?- I've got it, yeah.
0:02:58 > 0:03:04What have we got? It's basically an English Pearlware transfer-printed jug.
0:03:04 > 0:03:10And it's made to commemorate, as we see on here, Horatio Lord Nelson, Vice-Admiral of the White,
0:03:10 > 0:03:14and basically it's all his naval victories, really.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17He was at Copenhagen and Trafalgar.
0:03:17 > 0:03:24And it's got, "England expects every man to do his duty", which is his sort of catchphrase.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26And this is probably about 1810,
0:03:26 > 0:03:32so just made to commemorate after his famous battle, I presume, at Trafalgar.
0:03:32 > 0:03:38So it's quite rare and the condition, surprisingly for something that old, is pretty good.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42There's a little hairline crack here.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46This is an irregularity in the glaze, rather than actual damage.
0:03:46 > 0:03:52And a few little nibbles on the rim, but actually it's really good.
0:03:52 > 0:03:54So what do you think it's worth?
0:03:54 > 0:03:58A few years ago, I did have somebody give me a rough estimate on it
0:03:58 > 0:04:04and said that it might be worth between £300 and £400. What it's worth now, I'm not sure.
0:04:04 > 0:04:09- Your mum would disagree, I suspect. - It's worth about two and six to her probably!
0:04:09 > 0:04:12It's probably about the right kind of figure.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16I'm happy to put an estimate for an auction at 300 to 400.
0:04:16 > 0:04:23I'd probably put a reserve a little bit lower, maybe at 250, to reflect those little bits of nibbles,
0:04:23 > 0:04:29but it's becoming rarer and rarer to find one in good condition, so it might do even better.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33We'll put a 300 to 400 estimate, 250 reserve, and fingers crossed.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36- England expects it will sell. - I hope so.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45- Mandy, how are you?- Fine, thank you.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48This is clearly an Archibald Thorburn.
0:04:48 > 0:04:54If this was an original Thorburn oil painting, we'd be looking at tens of thousands of pounds.
0:04:54 > 0:04:59An original Thorburn watercolour might be anywhere between £5,000 and £15,000.
0:04:59 > 0:05:03And we can see that this is dated "1930",
0:05:03 > 0:05:08and a Thorburn print from the '30s signed in pencil by him down here,
0:05:08 > 0:05:12that in itself can be worth anywhere between £200 and £400,
0:05:12 > 0:05:16- but you and I both know this is not of the period, is it?- No.
0:05:16 > 0:05:22This has been produced by a gallery who specialise in selling sporting works by artists like Thorburn
0:05:22 > 0:05:27and this would have been produced probably in the mid-1970s.
0:05:27 > 0:05:31One of the reasons why I love it is that I love the Yorkshire Dales,
0:05:31 > 0:05:35I love the Yorkshire Moors, you've got this grouse scene.
0:05:35 > 0:05:41For anybody who has not been up on the moors and seen and heard the grouse, it's really captivating.
0:05:41 > 0:05:47So I love it for that reason. Why did you buy this? What sparked off that Thorburn interest for you?
0:05:47 > 0:05:52When I was at school, the art teacher had a book on Thorburn's animals
0:05:52 > 0:05:55and I was fascinated by the pictures in that.
0:05:55 > 0:06:00I saw this in a saleroom a lot of years later and it caught my attention.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03- Captivated from schooldays?- Yes.
0:06:03 > 0:06:08I think that you should estimate this at sort of £50 to £80,
0:06:08 > 0:06:11that sort of region, and...
0:06:11 > 0:06:17If the saleroom get this online, on the internet, it could well do very well.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20But I think it's £50 to £80.
0:06:20 > 0:06:25- And I'd put a fixed reserve on it of £40.- Right.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28- You bought it how long ago, two years ago?- Yeah.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31Here's the acid test. What did you pay for it?
0:06:31 > 0:06:34- About £48.- You paid about £48?
0:06:34 > 0:06:38I can't remember if that was plus or including the commission.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41I think we can put at least 50 to 80 on it.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46My only doubt, and I do have a doubt,
0:06:46 > 0:06:52my only doubt about it is that it's really almost just a photographic reproduction.
0:06:52 > 0:06:58It's very, very late. It's mid-1970s and those things are going to hang against it.
0:06:58 > 0:07:02- Are you happy with that? - Yes, I'm fine with that, thank you.
0:07:07 > 0:07:12How's that for scary? Guy, it's absolutely lovely. How did you come by this?
0:07:13 > 0:07:16It had been sitting in the porch
0:07:16 > 0:07:21of my 15th century cottage for many generations.
0:07:21 > 0:07:27- When I sold the cottage... - It came with you.- It came with me. I couldn't bear to leave him.
0:07:27 > 0:07:33- Do you know much about it? - Very little. It's just been part of the family.- It's made of oak.
0:07:33 > 0:07:38It's not 15th or 16th century. It's Victorian. It's Gothic Revival.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40This was always meant to be inside.
0:07:40 > 0:07:46I'm pleased that it's survived the weathering from your porch for a long time,
0:07:46 > 0:07:51- because the elements could have got at it, so it was under a bit of cover.- Oh, yes.
0:07:51 > 0:07:57And I think the gargoyles would have looked down on you just like this one would have done.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59This is more like a wall boss
0:07:59 > 0:08:03and it would have been mounted to the wall this way on,
0:08:03 > 0:08:07- looking down on you as you passed under.- That's it.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10Isn't that wonderful? It's chip-carved.
0:08:10 > 0:08:15It's very much like the carving you see on a lot of Black Forest work.
0:08:15 > 0:08:20It's quite crudely done, but at the same time, it's that crudeness that gives it its texture.
0:08:20 > 0:08:26- There's a little bit of damage to the ears.- There is. - But you can live with that.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30And there's a tiny bit of woodworm on the breast.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32Have you any idea of value?
0:08:32 > 0:08:38Not really. I would imagine it's quite a hard thing to value, but I really don't know.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40Well...
0:08:40 > 0:08:47Let's put it into auction with a guide of around £120 to £200 and see what happens.
0:08:47 > 0:08:51- Let's put a fixed reserve at £120 if you're happy with that.- Yeah.
0:08:51 > 0:08:57I'd like to see it do around the 250 mark, but we've got to try and tempt people in,
0:08:57 > 0:09:01to give them the incentive that they're picking up a bargain.
0:09:01 > 0:09:07- Let them get caught bidding against other rivals and, all of a sudden, you've got £250. Happy?- Very happy.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09- OK, let's sell it.- That's fine.
0:09:16 > 0:09:21Lilian, welcome to Flog It. You've got two different bits of pottery.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24What can you tell me about them?
0:09:24 > 0:09:27Well, I had them both given 28 year ago.
0:09:27 > 0:09:32- Right.- They've been on top of the wardrobe, never been used.
0:09:32 > 0:09:37- So you're not a big fan?- No.- Do you know about the makers of them?- Yes.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40- Moorcroft.- Yeah.- Clarice Cliff.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43You know your stuff. You just don't like 'em.
0:09:43 > 0:09:48- I wouldn't say I don't like them, but I have things I like better. - Right, OK.
0:09:48 > 0:09:53This is a really nice one. This is the one I like best of the two.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57Again Moorcroft marks on the bottom, "WM" initials.
0:09:57 > 0:10:02It's really quite unusual, like a deep red flambe kind of glaze,
0:10:02 > 0:10:06and sort of autumn leaves and berries on that one.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08- The condition is really good.- Yes.
0:10:08 > 0:10:14This one is Clarice Cliff. We've got the mark on the bottom, Bizarre, and the shape number.
0:10:14 > 0:10:19It's not one of her most funky ones. I think the design is called Rodanthe.
0:10:19 > 0:10:25This is in the blue and green. They do it in other colours as well like brown and pink.
0:10:25 > 0:10:31It's not the coolest of designs with little houses or interesting stuff, so it's quite a late piece.
0:10:31 > 0:10:36The ribbed pieces do less well than the others, but the condition is really good.
0:10:36 > 0:10:41You've brought them both in. Usually, I'd split them up into two separate lots.
0:10:41 > 0:10:48But because you want to get rid of them both, you might as well put them together in one lot.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52It's a classic dealer's lot. Both of them are really saleable pieces.
0:10:52 > 0:10:58- Any idea what you want to get for it? If I said £50, would you sell them?- No.- No?- No, no, no.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00OK. What about 150?
0:11:02 > 0:11:07- Doubtful.- OK.- Maybe, maybe. - I think they're worth probably about £100 each.
0:11:07 > 0:11:11This one maybe a bit more, this one maybe a bit less,
0:11:11 > 0:11:15so if you put the two together and put a £200 to £250 estimate on it,
0:11:15 > 0:11:18but maybe a reserve of 150 or 180...
0:11:18 > 0:11:22- 180, I should say.- So just below low estimate. That's got a good chance.
0:11:22 > 0:11:28If they don't sell, you could maybe ask the auctioneer at a second sale to split them up.
0:11:28 > 0:11:33- But I think they've got a good chance together. Are you ready to try them in the sale?- Yes.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36- Thanks very much.- Thank you.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43Who's the older?
0:11:43 > 0:11:46So that's our first batch of valuations.
0:11:46 > 0:11:51The crowds are still coming in and there's plenty more to come later on.
0:11:51 > 0:11:57We're making our way to auction. Here's a reminder of all the items coming with us.
0:11:57 > 0:12:02This Pearlware Nelson commemorative jug once belonged to Trevor's grandfather,
0:12:02 > 0:12:07but no-one in the family has liked it.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11My mother wanted to get rid of it, but my father wouldn't let her.
0:12:11 > 0:12:17A great fan of the artist Archibald Thorburn, Mandy has decided to sell her grouse print,
0:12:17 > 0:12:21hoping someone will hunt it out in the saleroom.
0:12:21 > 0:12:26Will Guy's Victorian wooden carving, found in the porch of his old cottage,
0:12:26 > 0:12:29carve out a good price at auction?
0:12:30 > 0:12:35And two classic Flog It favourites - Moorcroft and Clarice Cliff.
0:12:35 > 0:12:41They've sat on Lilian's wardrobe for nearly 30 years, but she's decided to let them go.
0:12:41 > 0:12:46I wouldn't say I don't like them, but I have things I like better.
0:12:48 > 0:12:54This is where it gets exciting. We're going to put our experts' valuations to the test.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57Somebody today will go home with a lot of money.
0:12:57 > 0:13:02That's all down to Thomas Watson Auctioneers here in Darlington, County Durham,
0:13:02 > 0:13:05so let's get inside and find out.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10And in a packed auction house today,
0:13:10 > 0:13:14the all-important man wielding the gavel is auctioneer Peter Robinson.
0:13:14 > 0:13:19First up is Mandy with her Archibald Thorburn print.
0:13:19 > 0:13:24- I hope we get the top end for this Thorburn print. - It would be very nice.- It's lovely.
0:13:24 > 0:13:28- All the money is going towards...? - Camera equipment.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31- You're a bit of an amateur photographer?- I am.
0:13:31 > 0:13:35- I've managed to win third prize in a national magazine.- Have you?- Yes.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38- Fantastic.- Last year.
0:13:38 > 0:13:44- Do you do landscapes and portraits or just anything?- Landscape, wildlife and macro-photography.
0:13:44 > 0:13:49- Is that why you've got the Thorburn, is it, because it's wildlife? - Yes, wildlife, yes.
0:13:49 > 0:13:55- Great book illustrator. What have we got, £50 to £80 on this?- Fixed reserve, 40.- OK.
0:13:55 > 0:14:01- A reprint of an early original, but we're in the right country to sell it.- Exactly.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04- Let's hope we get the top end. - It would be nice.
0:14:04 > 0:14:06390, showing here,
0:14:06 > 0:14:11the Archibald Thorburn, very nice limited edition print
0:14:11 > 0:14:13from a London Tryon Gallery.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15Lot number 390. £50?
0:14:15 > 0:14:1730 bid. At £30.
0:14:17 > 0:14:21At £30 for the Thorburn print. At £30.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24At £30. 40 bid. At £40.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27Are we all finished then at £40?
0:14:27 > 0:14:31Being sold at £40. Here to be sold at £40. All finished then at £40...?
0:14:33 > 0:14:37- It's gone. £40, Mandy, that's OK. - It saves me carrying it home.
0:14:38 > 0:14:42- It's a few pounds less than you paid for it.- Yeah.
0:14:42 > 0:14:47- That's a gamble you take. - It is, yeah. Good luck with the photography.- Thank you.
0:14:55 > 0:14:59Next under the hammer we've got some Moorcroft and Clarice Cliff.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02Should the lots have been split? I don't know.
0:15:02 > 0:15:08They belong to Lilian, but she can't be here today. We do have Kate, our expert.
0:15:08 > 0:15:12The auctioneer didn't split them, so I think he agrees with you.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15Stick them in as one lot, a "come and buy me" maybe?
0:15:15 > 0:15:21You don't often get people collecting both. It's a risky strategy, but it might work.
0:15:21 > 0:15:27- If you're starting a collection of good ceramics, it's a great place to start. £100 each?- That's not bad.
0:15:27 > 0:15:33- The Moorcroft is yummy.- I think the Moorcroft is good.- It's lovely, mellow colours. It's beautiful.
0:15:33 > 0:15:37150 is the... Two lots in the lot here,
0:15:37 > 0:15:39the Moorcroft and the Clarice Cliff,
0:15:39 > 0:15:43two good examples of the two respective factories,
0:15:43 > 0:15:46but being sold together for a collector.
0:15:46 > 0:15:50Opening at £100. At £100 for the two together.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53- 120. 140. 160.- This is good.- 180.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56200. 220. 240?
0:15:56 > 0:16:00- No sweat!- 240. 260. 280?
0:16:00 > 0:16:03260 in the balcony. 280.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06300? 280 downstairs on my left now. 300.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09320. 340. 360.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13380. 400. 420. 440?
0:16:13 > 0:16:16- 420!- At £420.
0:16:16 > 0:16:20The bid's in the balcony at £420. Being sold now at £420.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22Are we all finished at 420?
0:16:22 > 0:16:28Fantastic! That's what you get when you put two good names together.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32- "Should they have been split? I don't know."- We'll never know.
0:16:32 > 0:16:38- I'm very happy with that and Lilian will be as well.- She'll be thrilled. - Well done.- Thank you.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46Next up, Guy's wooden carving.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50It's been viewed, it's been handled, caressed.
0:16:50 > 0:16:56And enjoyed. I think it's going to find a new home today. That's for sure.
0:16:56 > 0:16:58- I would hope so.- So do I.
0:16:58 > 0:17:02Lot number 345, unusual lot,
0:17:02 > 0:17:07the lion carving, obviously 18th century or early 19th century.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10But a nice carving. Lot 345.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13At £70.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15At £70. 80 bid.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18At £80. At £80. 90. 100.
0:17:18 > 0:17:23120. 140? At 120 on my right, the bid. At £120.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26Come on, a bit more!
0:17:26 > 0:17:29The bid's on my right, gentleman's bid of £120.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32Being sold at 120...
0:17:32 > 0:17:36It's gone right on the bottom end of the estimate, but it's gone.
0:17:36 > 0:17:43I don't think there was anybody here to bid against him, but nevertheless, I'm happy with that.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55It is a cracking lot, Trevor, and it's about to go under the hammer.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59We're talking about the Pearlware jug. You're not a big fan of it?
0:17:59 > 0:18:03It was stuck in a wall cabinet for years and my mother hated it
0:18:03 > 0:18:07and said, "Can we put it in a boot sale or dump it?"
0:18:07 > 0:18:10It's got to go in a fine art antiques sale.
0:18:10 > 0:18:16My father for years said, "Just hang on to it. It's Nelson, it could be worth something."
0:18:16 > 0:18:20And it is. If it hadn't got the crack, what would it be worth?
0:18:20 > 0:18:26Condition is really important, so it would add a couple of hundred pounds on to whatever it makes today.
0:18:26 > 0:18:32- Yeah.- But they are rare survivors, so it's in pretty good condition for what it is.
0:18:32 > 0:18:36- Not many people would have kept them. Your dad was clever.- He was.
0:18:36 > 0:18:40- Let's hope we get the top end of the valuation.- I hope so.- This is it.
0:18:40 > 0:18:45Lot 120, the Pearlware Nelson, blue-and-white printed jug.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48In nice order, this lot. Lot number 120.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50At 150. At 150.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54At 150. At 150. 180 I'm bid.
0:18:54 > 0:18:56180. 200. 220.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59250. 280. 300?
0:18:59 > 0:19:03280 in the balcony. At 280 I'm bid in the balcony.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06- At £280. Being sold here at £280... - Spot-on.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09300. 320. 350.
0:19:09 > 0:19:13- This is good.- 350. 380. 400?
0:19:13 > 0:19:16380. Still in the balcony at £380.
0:19:16 > 0:19:20Being sold now at £380. Are we all finished at £380?
0:19:20 > 0:19:22All done?
0:19:22 > 0:19:25That was brilliant, the last flurry just there!
0:19:25 > 0:19:29- I thought it was stopping at 250. - So did I.- It was good.- £380!
0:19:29 > 0:19:35- That's good.- All credit to you for hanging on to that.- My mother's got to take the credit for that.
0:19:35 > 0:19:40- It's a really nice item. - A "Victory"!- It's a victory. - Sorry, couldn't resist.
0:19:41 > 0:19:46We're doing pretty well so far. Coming up later, all will be revealed.
0:19:46 > 0:19:51- Can I have a look inside? - Yes, you may.- I was hoping that might be the case!
0:19:57 > 0:20:00We'll be selling more items later on in the show,
0:20:00 > 0:20:04but now I'm heading out on my travels to Whitby railway station.
0:20:07 > 0:20:13The station here in Whitby is the end of the line for the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17It's a 24-mile stretch of track which runs from here to Pickering
0:20:17 > 0:20:23and it's one of the most beautiful railways in the country as it cuts right through the national park.
0:20:23 > 0:20:29It's a wonderful way to see the moorland, so today I'll let the train take the strain.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50The people of Whitby needed a railway
0:20:50 > 0:20:57to transport goods like coal and timber from the harbour out to towns inland
0:20:57 > 0:21:00and bring produce back to the ships at port.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04The Whitby to Pickering railway took more than five years to build
0:21:04 > 0:21:08and was opened with great celebration on May 26th, 1836,
0:21:08 > 0:21:14although for nearly ten years, the trains back then used to be pulled by horses.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17The railway has seen many changes over the years.
0:21:17 > 0:21:23Now this is a fully operational heritage railway with big, powerful steam engines, charming carriages
0:21:23 > 0:21:25and delightful period stations.
0:21:25 > 0:21:30And, of course, ever-changing scenery. But it hasn't always been like that.
0:21:30 > 0:21:35'Joining me in the Western Saloon carriage is Philip Benham,
0:21:35 > 0:21:37'manager of the railway.'
0:21:37 > 0:21:41So tell me a little bit more about this incredible line.
0:21:41 > 0:21:47One of the first railways built in Britain, it started up in 1835 and it was horse-drawn.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51It was designed by George Stephenson who is known as the "Father of Railways".
0:21:51 > 0:21:57- It was a horse-drawn railway from Whitby to Pickering through the North York Moors.- How long did that take?
0:21:57 > 0:22:03A long time. It also involved going up a rope-hauled incline through the village of Goathland,
0:22:03 > 0:22:06so it was quite rough and ready.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09- How did it progress? - It became a very important railway.
0:22:09 > 0:22:16You could get trains from London to Whitby up to the 1960s and it helped develop Whitby as a holiday resort.
0:22:16 > 0:22:21The Beeching Plan came along. Tell me more about that and Dr Beeching.
0:22:21 > 0:22:26Dr Richard Beeching was appointed Chairman of British Railways in the early 1960s
0:22:26 > 0:22:29and his remit was to make the railways pay.
0:22:29 > 0:22:34He came up with this reshaping plan that would close large parts of the network,
0:22:34 > 0:22:38mainly branch lines, but also busier routes, including the line to Whitby.
0:22:38 > 0:22:43- What happened after the Beeching Plan? - The closure was very controversial.
0:22:43 > 0:22:47Within a couple of years, a group formed to try to re-open the railway.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51The founder Tom Salmon is still a supporter of the railway to this day
0:22:51 > 0:22:58and he and a number of people in the community started a society to see if they could get the railway re-opened,
0:22:58 > 0:23:02initially just between Grosmont and Goathland, about three miles,
0:23:02 > 0:23:08but in the end, through the help of North Riding County Council and the new national park in the Moors,
0:23:08 > 0:23:13the line was opened through to Pickering in one go by the Duchess of Kent.
0:23:13 > 0:23:191st of May, 1973, was the official re-opening train and it's gone from strength to strength since then.
0:23:19 > 0:23:23- It's wonderful and extremely popular.- It's very popular.
0:23:23 > 0:23:27We carry over 300,000 passengers a year which is a lot of people.
0:23:27 > 0:23:31It's run largely by volunteers. A few people like me get paid.
0:23:31 > 0:23:36But it was started by volunteers and that's the unique essence of a line like this.
0:23:36 > 0:23:43It's the people who own it who run it and they have great love for the railway and everything on it.
0:23:49 > 0:23:53The stations along the line are themed from different periods.
0:23:53 > 0:23:58Pulling into Grosmont station is like stepping back into the 1950s.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01I'm here to catch up with the driver.
0:24:12 > 0:24:18- Jerry, how long have you been driving trains? - About ten years on this railway.
0:24:18 > 0:24:20And about...
0:24:20 > 0:24:23about eight or nine years on BR.
0:24:23 > 0:24:28- How old is the engine? - About 1925. They worked on the Somerset and Dorset.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30They were built for that railway.
0:24:30 > 0:24:35They were built at Darlington and they worked on the Somerset and Dorset.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37What speed can she do?
0:24:37 > 0:24:40We can do about 35 flat out,
0:24:40 > 0:24:43maybe 40, but up here, 25.
0:24:43 > 0:24:48Do you want to push the regulator a bit more? Push it up a little bit more.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51That's it, that's it. That's it.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54- Do you want to put a bit on? - I'll put a bit on.
0:24:54 > 0:24:57Don't throw my shovel in! LAUGHTER
0:24:57 > 0:24:59A little bit more.
0:25:06 > 0:25:10Cor, that's so hot! That's really, really hot, isn't it?
0:25:10 > 0:25:123,000 degrees.
0:25:12 > 0:25:143,000 degrees?
0:25:17 > 0:25:19Does it get through a lot of coal?
0:25:19 > 0:25:22About a ton, a ton and a half.
0:25:22 > 0:25:28- Just from Pickering to Whitby, a ton and a half?- Grosmont to Pickering and back here again.
0:25:28 > 0:25:33- I think this has got to be the best scenery in the world. - I were born up here.
0:25:33 > 0:25:38- You were born here?- Esk Valley, yes. I'm back home.- You're back home.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53TOOTS HORN
0:25:55 > 0:25:58The next stop on the journey is Goathland.
0:25:58 > 0:26:02This is the most recent station on the railway
0:26:02 > 0:26:06and was built as accommodation for the stationmaster and his family.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10This charming station has somewhat of a celebrity status.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13It's also been known as Aidensfield in ITV's Heartbeat
0:26:13 > 0:26:18and as the spectacular Hogsmeade in the first Harry Potter film.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28Sadly, this is where my trip ends.
0:26:28 > 0:26:34The train is going onward now to Pickering, but I've got to get back to Whitby.
0:26:34 > 0:26:36It's been an incredible day out.
0:26:36 > 0:26:41If you're ever up here on holiday, climb aboard and experience the golden age of steam!
0:26:41 > 0:26:44Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant!
0:26:44 > 0:26:46Big step!
0:26:57 > 0:27:03Back now to our valuation day in Whitby and it looks like someone has beamed Philip into space!
0:27:07 > 0:27:10- Doreen, how are you? - All right, thank you.
0:27:10 > 0:27:15- Aren't you a bit old for this sort of thing?- Yes, I am.
0:27:15 > 0:27:19- Second childhood.- I haven't got out of my first yet!
0:27:19 > 0:27:24Let's have a look at it. On the front we've got a "non-fall moon rocket".
0:27:24 > 0:27:26- "Made in Japan."- Mm-hm.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29What can you tell me about it?
0:27:29 > 0:27:33I bought it in about 1960.
0:27:33 > 0:27:38And I had my son with us then. He was only six.
0:27:38 > 0:27:42- He'll be pleased. You've just told everybody how old he is!- I know.
0:27:42 > 0:27:48He will be, yes. So I asked him if he liked it and he said "yes", so I went in and I bought it.
0:27:48 > 0:27:53- How much did you pay for it? Do you remember that? - I think it was about 42 shilling.
0:27:53 > 0:27:57- 42 shilling is...- £2, isn't it?
0:27:57 > 0:28:00£2.10 or... It's £2.10, isn't it?
0:28:00 > 0:28:04- Yes.- This is lovely. Does it work?
0:28:04 > 0:28:10- Yes. It won't drop off the table, but everybody goes like that in case it does.- Does it not?- No.
0:28:10 > 0:28:14- Are you sure?- Yes, yes. - Let's give it a go, shall we?- Right.
0:28:14 > 0:28:18There's the driver. Are you ready for this?
0:28:19 > 0:28:23- Are you sure it won't go off the edge?- No.- Whoa...
0:28:25 > 0:28:30- Are you sure about this?- Yes. - I don't believe you. Doreen!
0:28:30 > 0:28:32Get ready to catch it.
0:28:32 > 0:28:34Oh, my life!
0:28:34 > 0:28:41This is making me... I'm not doing this any more. This is silly. You're giving me ulcers, you are!
0:28:43 > 0:28:46So your son never played it?
0:28:46 > 0:28:50- He did play with it, but not very much.- Not very roughly either.
0:28:50 > 0:28:52No, he took good care of it.
0:28:52 > 0:28:54I think...
0:28:54 > 0:28:58that we can put an estimate on it of £50 to £80.
0:28:58 > 0:29:03- Never?- Yeah.- Can you?- Yeah. Is that all right?- Yeah, fine.
0:29:03 > 0:29:10We'll put an estimate on it of £50 to £80 and we'll put a reserve on it of £50 with 10% discretion,
0:29:10 > 0:29:14so if the auctioneer gets to 40, 45, it'll be all right for it to go.
0:29:14 > 0:29:17- Are you happy with that?- Yes.
0:29:17 > 0:29:19One thing now interests me.
0:29:19 > 0:29:22- You bought this for your son.- Yes.
0:29:22 > 0:29:26If we get 80 quid for it, who gets the money? You or him?
0:29:27 > 0:29:31There you are now. We'll have to work that out!
0:29:40 > 0:29:47Barney and Laura, you've brought in this bizarre piece of silver plate. What do you know about it?
0:29:47 > 0:29:52- It's a cocktail shaker, I think. It was my nan's.- She hasn't told you the history of it?
0:29:52 > 0:29:56- She has, but I haven't listened. - Barney doesn't listen.
0:29:56 > 0:30:00- You're boyfriend and girlfriend? - Yeah.- Has she told you?- Yes.
0:30:00 > 0:30:04- There we go.- It was given to her as a present off an old friend.
0:30:04 > 0:30:09She's just had it sat in a cupboard and never used it or anything.
0:30:09 > 0:30:13- Not every weekend making gin slings and stuff?- No.- That's a bit sad.
0:30:13 > 0:30:18- You're more of a lager drinker, I guess?- Yeah. Not cocktails.
0:30:18 > 0:30:22Let's have a look. It's got "A & Co" on the bottom which is a good sign
0:30:22 > 0:30:28because it's Asprey & Co who are royal jewellers and silversmiths and make very good quality items.
0:30:28 > 0:30:32As you say, it's a cocktail shaker, so if we open it up,
0:30:32 > 0:30:37this is where you put your ice and gin and bitter lemon, stick the lid on,
0:30:37 > 0:30:39then this bit unscrews.
0:30:39 > 0:30:43What you've got in here is a cork and that should pull out,
0:30:43 > 0:30:45but this one is a bit stuck.
0:30:45 > 0:30:51You'd give it a shake and there'll be a strainer in here, you'd pour it out and that's your gin sling.
0:30:51 > 0:30:55You're not tempted to keep it and have a bit of a cocktail at home?
0:30:55 > 0:31:01- Not really. I don't think we use it now.- That's why she's getting rid of it. She's never used it.
0:31:01 > 0:31:07They're not very practical. It's a kind of Roaring Twenties... It's very sort of Jeeves and Wooster.
0:31:07 > 0:31:11You can see Bertie Wooster having one of these.
0:31:11 > 0:31:17So there's not a huge market for it and because the cork's stuck, it's a bit difficult to sell.
0:31:17 > 0:31:22Price-wise, even though it's not silver, it's silver plate, it's still quite collectable
0:31:22 > 0:31:26and between £50 and £80 at auction would be about right.
0:31:26 > 0:31:32There are issues of condition, so you'd put a lower estimate, maybe a 40 reserve and a 50 to 80 estimate.
0:31:32 > 0:31:36Is that the sort of thing you'd go for?
0:31:36 > 0:31:42- Yeah.- That's fine, yeah.- You should listen to your grandma more, see what else she's got in the cupboard!
0:31:42 > 0:31:45- But we'll send it to sell and see how it goes.- Yeah.
0:31:45 > 0:31:51I'm trying to think up a bad pun on cocktails and bells, but I'm going to resist the temptation.
0:31:51 > 0:31:56- So let's send it to sale and see how it goes. Thanks very much.- Thanks.
0:32:03 > 0:32:07- Coleen and Cliff, how are you both? - Fine.- You've brought me an envelope.
0:32:07 > 0:32:11- I have, yes. - Can I have a look inside?- You may.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14Do you know, I was hoping that might be the case.
0:32:17 > 0:32:22- You've made my day.- Are you a Stones fan?- I'm a huge Stones fan.
0:32:22 > 0:32:28- They're were the best music to dance to.- You danced like Mick Jagger? I'm not going to ask you to do it.
0:32:28 > 0:32:32- No, no. I'm sure I tried to. - You tried to?- Yeah.
0:32:32 > 0:32:36- So we've got... This is the original line-up.- It is.
0:32:36 > 0:32:40We've got Charlie Watts in his Star Trek uniform,
0:32:40 > 0:32:46Bill Wyman, who, I have to say, still looks years older than everybody else on that postcard,
0:32:46 > 0:32:52Brian Jones, who sadly died in the late '60s in a swimming pool, didn't he?
0:32:52 > 0:32:55Then the real wild child, Mr Jagger.
0:32:55 > 0:32:58And then Keith Richards.
0:32:58 > 0:33:00- So have you got this signed?- Yes.
0:33:00 > 0:33:05Look at that. That's brilliant. I just think... They are iconic.
0:33:05 > 0:33:09- When does this date... What's the postmark on here?- 1964, I think.
0:33:09 > 0:33:12The first issue is, how do you know they were genuine?
0:33:12 > 0:33:16Because authenticity is absolutely everything.
0:33:16 > 0:33:21And secondly, The Beatles, for example, were well known
0:33:21 > 0:33:25for their roadie to sign their signatures
0:33:25 > 0:33:28and also for them to sign one another's signatures.
0:33:28 > 0:33:32And I think The Stones signed one another's signatures.
0:33:32 > 0:33:35So the first issue is, are they all genuine?
0:33:35 > 0:33:39And the second issue is, have you got five Rolling Stones on there
0:33:39 > 0:33:42and not Mick Jagger doing three of them?
0:33:42 > 0:33:47- How did you come by it?- I used to work with Charlie Watts's mother.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50- Charlie Watts's mum?- Yes. In 1964.
0:33:50 > 0:33:56That was before they were famous and that's when she gave the pictures to me.
0:33:56 > 0:34:00So, I think, what we've got to do is this.
0:34:00 > 0:34:03We've got to catalogue this.
0:34:03 > 0:34:09We'll ask the auctioneers to check the provenance. Not the provenance, but the authenticity of these.
0:34:09 > 0:34:13But what we'll ask the auctioneers to do is to say in the catalogue
0:34:13 > 0:34:18that it's a signed photograph of The Rolling Stones -
0:34:18 > 0:34:24Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Bill Wyman, Charlie Watts and Brian Jones,
0:34:24 > 0:34:31and that the photograph was given to you by Charlie Watts' mother.
0:34:31 > 0:34:36It really is important that we put that in the catalogue and on the internet
0:34:36 > 0:34:43because, with this envelope, it will give the buyer more confidence that they are absolutely genuine.
0:34:43 > 0:34:45I'm going to be really mean here.
0:34:45 > 0:34:50I'm going to suggest that you put a £200 to £400 estimate on it.
0:34:50 > 0:34:54I think, if you strike lucky,
0:34:54 > 0:34:58it wouldn't surprise me if they made three to five times that.
0:34:58 > 0:35:03If you're really lucky, they could make £600 to £900,
0:35:03 > 0:35:05perhaps even £1,000.
0:35:05 > 0:35:08But you need to put them at a sensible estimate
0:35:08 > 0:35:15and the fact that it'll be on the internet and properly advertised, that'll flush the buyers out.
0:35:15 > 0:35:17If I was allowed to bid, I'd be one of them.
0:35:18 > 0:35:21So for the final time today,
0:35:21 > 0:35:24let's see what we're taking off to auction.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27Belonging to her son in the 1960s,
0:35:27 > 0:35:33Doreen is taking his Moon Rocket toy to the dizzy heights of the saleroom.
0:35:33 > 0:35:38Coleen and Cliff want her autographs of The Rolling Stones to top the bidding charts.
0:35:38 > 0:35:44And finally, Barney's grandmother has let him sell this rather nice cocktail shaker
0:35:44 > 0:35:47as cocktails leave him unshaken.
0:35:47 > 0:35:51- You're more of a lager drinker, I guess?- Yeah. Not cocktails.
0:35:51 > 0:35:58But I think it should stir up plenty of interest and now I want to know what the auctioneer thinks about it.
0:35:59 > 0:36:03Look at this. Hey, hey, welcome to Thomas Watson's!
0:36:03 > 0:36:06- That's it.- Lot number 180 here!
0:36:06 > 0:36:11Well, this belongs to Barney and it's a silver-plate cocktail shaker
0:36:11 > 0:36:14in the form of a bell, but interestingly enough,
0:36:14 > 0:36:19- it's the maker's name.- It's Asprey which makes all the difference.
0:36:19 > 0:36:25We've got a valuation from the reserve of 40 up to £80 on this. Is it a "come and buy me"?
0:36:25 > 0:36:31It should be. Certainly the £40 is "come and buy me". The 80 might be getting a bit top end.
0:36:31 > 0:36:37- I'd like to see it do the 80. I think it's good value for money. - It's good value for money.
0:36:37 > 0:36:43Goodness knows how much it would cost if it was standing in Asprey's window in Bond Street!
0:36:43 > 0:36:48- £300 to £400 probably. - And the rest probably, yeah.
0:36:48 > 0:36:50Can you see this in your house?
0:36:50 > 0:36:54- It might look a little bit out of place in my house.- And mine.
0:36:54 > 0:36:58- But I can understand the attractiveness.- So can I.
0:36:58 > 0:37:02It's real quality, a great maker's name and that's what will sell it.
0:37:03 > 0:37:09But before the cocktail shaker goes under the hammer, first up on the auction launch pad - Doreen.
0:37:09 > 0:37:13The sky's the limit for this one, Doreen, the little Moon Rocket,
0:37:13 > 0:37:18- bought in the 1960s for only two pounds and ten pence.- Right.
0:37:18 > 0:37:23- We've got a valuation of £50 to £80 put on by Philip, our expert here. - Yes, good.
0:37:23 > 0:37:27- So, lots of fun you had at the valuation day.- Yes, we did.
0:37:27 > 0:37:32It went whizzing round the table and kept coming back. It frightened me to death.
0:37:32 > 0:37:36- You had to keep on your toes.- You had to keep me on my toes all the time!
0:37:36 > 0:37:41Lots of people have been musing over this. It's still got its original box.
0:37:41 > 0:37:44- It's a lot of fun.- It's great.
0:37:44 > 0:37:47It's a nice-looking toy and it is a lot of fun.
0:37:47 > 0:37:51Hopefully, somebody else is going to have a lot of fun with it.
0:37:51 > 0:37:55Yes, it would be nice. I hope somebody enjoys it as much as we did.
0:37:55 > 0:37:59It's ready to go and it's going right now under the hammer.
0:37:59 > 0:38:03Lot number 60, the '60s Moon Rocket this time.
0:38:03 > 0:38:07- Nice lot in its original box. - Let's hope it takes off!
0:38:07 > 0:38:10I have interest here. 40. At £40 to start.
0:38:10 > 0:38:1450 bid. At £50. 60. 70. 80.
0:38:14 > 0:38:1790. 100? At £90 with me, the bid.
0:38:17 > 0:38:20100 now. At the back of the room at £100.
0:38:20 > 0:38:23Not a bad return on 42 shillings!
0:38:23 > 0:38:26All finished now at £100...
0:38:26 > 0:38:30- Spot-on! Well done, Philip. £100!- Good.
0:38:30 > 0:38:34- Unbelievable, isn't it?- It proved to be a really good investment.
0:38:34 > 0:38:40- It is, but it wasn't an investment when you bought it. It was just a toy.- It was just a toy.
0:38:40 > 0:38:46- You had the foresight to keep it and look after it. Well done, you! - I always thought it was special.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56I've just been joined by Barney and Laura.
0:38:56 > 0:39:00This is the silver-plate cocktail shaker in the form of a bell.
0:39:00 > 0:39:05Let's hope it rings in some changes. £50 to £80 we're hoping for. What do you think of it?
0:39:05 > 0:39:09- It's quite different.- You're being polite - "quite different".
0:39:09 > 0:39:15I had a chat to Peter the auctioneer and he said, "I wouldn't want it in my house."
0:39:15 > 0:39:20I wouldn't either, but there's plenty of people out there that would love this.
0:39:20 > 0:39:25It's slightly kitsch, it's a bit over the top, but a great maker's name.
0:39:25 > 0:39:27Asprey. I'd have this in my house.
0:39:27 > 0:39:31If I were allowed to bid, this would be coming home with me.
0:39:31 > 0:39:34- Do you love cocktails? - I don't mind them.
0:39:34 > 0:39:37Here we go. It's going under the hammer.
0:39:37 > 0:39:40Lot 180, the cocktail shaker.
0:39:40 > 0:39:44The Asprey's bell-shaped cocktail shaker here.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47At £30 to start. At £30. At £30.
0:39:47 > 0:39:51- Unusual lot.- Come on! - Asprey's cocktail shaker.
0:39:51 > 0:39:5340 bid. 5. 50.
0:39:53 > 0:39:575? At £50. On my right, the gentleman's bid at £50.
0:39:57 > 0:40:00On my right at £50. 55 anywhere?
0:40:00 > 0:40:04At £50. Being sold at £50 for the lot. Are we all finished?
0:40:04 > 0:40:08The bid's on my right at £50, all done.
0:40:08 > 0:40:12- That's good, £50.- A drinker? - I was getting worried.
0:40:12 > 0:40:18- I thought maybe they all like their pints up here, but a few people like their cocktails.- The odd Mai Tai.
0:40:18 > 0:40:22Well done. Hopefully, you can go home now and tell Nan, can't you?
0:40:22 > 0:40:26- Yes.- She'll be pleased. What will she do with the money?
0:40:26 > 0:40:30- Take us out for a meal, I think. - And have a cocktail, presumably.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33- In the spirit of the whole thing. - In spirit!
0:40:33 > 0:40:35Unintentional pun there.
0:40:44 > 0:40:50Moving on swiftly, as they say, a rolling stone gathers no moss, and there's a clue to what's next.
0:40:50 > 0:40:55We've been joined by Cliff and Coleen with the wonderful signed photograph
0:40:55 > 0:40:59- of my favourite rock band and Philip's, I think.- Absolutely right.
0:40:59 > 0:41:04- That is just so evocative. They were the bad boys of rock.- Yeah.
0:41:05 > 0:41:09But hopefully, hopefully, this should shoot through the roof.
0:41:09 > 0:41:12- Good.- Do you think so? - Well sought after.
0:41:12 > 0:41:15If people think it's right, it'll just...
0:41:15 > 0:41:17It could stagger you.
0:41:17 > 0:41:22Let's hope it's a big hit here. It's going under the hammer right now.
0:41:22 > 0:41:25The Rolling Stones postcard photograph this time.
0:41:25 > 0:41:29Let's start at £100. At £100.
0:41:29 > 0:41:32At £100. 120 bid.
0:41:32 > 0:41:34At 120 bid. At 120 bid.
0:41:34 > 0:41:36140. 160.
0:41:36 > 0:41:38180. 200.
0:41:38 > 0:41:40220. 240.
0:41:40 > 0:41:43260? 240 in the balcony.
0:41:43 > 0:41:46260. 280. 300.
0:41:46 > 0:41:49320. 340? 340.
0:41:49 > 0:41:52360. 380. 400.
0:41:52 > 0:41:55420. 440.
0:41:55 > 0:41:57460. 480?
0:41:57 > 0:42:00Yeah? 500. 520.
0:42:00 > 0:42:02520 in the balcony.
0:42:02 > 0:42:06At £520. The bid's in the balcony at £520.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09Selling in the balcony at £520...
0:42:09 > 0:42:11£520 - it was a smash hit!
0:42:11 > 0:42:15- £520.- Very good. - That is brilliant, isn't it?
0:42:15 > 0:42:19- That is a Honky Tonk Woman, isn't it?- That's a Honky Tonk... Yeah.
0:42:19 > 0:42:23- I think we got the Satisfaction. - How many more can we do?
0:42:23 > 0:42:26- You've got to be happy with that. - Very happy.
0:42:26 > 0:42:32You've got commission to pay here, that's 15%, but what will you put the money towards?
0:42:32 > 0:42:37- I hadn't thought of this yet. - Put it in the bank, save it for a rainy day.
0:42:37 > 0:42:43- We'll go for a nice meal somewhere to celebrate.- That'll be a very nice meal. I'm really pleased with that.
0:42:43 > 0:42:49It's never too late to go and see The Rolling Stones. I don't think they'll ever give up.
0:42:49 > 0:42:55- No.- They'll be touring well into their 80s.- You might just be able to afford two tickets with that!
0:43:03 > 0:43:07It's all over for our owners. The auction is still going on.
0:43:07 > 0:43:13We've had a great day in Darlington, some highs and lows, all the ingredients of a perfect auction.
0:43:13 > 0:43:16I hope you've enjoyed it. Until next time, cheerio.
0:43:32 > 0:43:37Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd 2010
0:43:37 > 0:43:40Email subtitling@bbc.co.uk