Notes from the dealer's table

Cliff's Column

October 2026

Why original boxes matter more than ever

A Dinky model in its box can be worth three times the same model loose. But not every box is equal — the end-flaps, the price label and even the printer's code all tell a story. Here is what I look for before I quote a price.

August 2026

Hornby 0-gauge: where to start a collection

The post-war M-series sets are still within reach of most budgets, run beautifully, and lead naturally into the pre-war No. 1 and No. 2 ranges. A few words on avoiding repaints and mismatched tenders.