The National Railway Museum (NRM) is to hold an auction to raise funds for the conservation of Queen Victoria's last surviving royal carriage.

The centrepiece of the auction is to be provided by English Welsh & Scottish Railway (EWS), is a rare collection of plates and includes Isambard Kingdom Brunel, County of Mid-Glamorgan, Tre Pol and Pen, David Lloyd George, Fort William and Helvellyn.

Sue Evans, EWS' head of corporate communications, hopes the sale on 13 October will go some way to cover the estimated £100,000 conservation costs:

'Helping to raise funds to conserve a national icon is such a worthwhile opportunity. Ensuring the future of the carriage will ultimately give please to thousands of visitors to the NRM.'

Also heading the auction billing is a range of contemporary nameplates donated by Porterbrook Leasing Company. Other sale items include swallows and depot plaques, sporting silverware from LNER and BR, oak-cased mantle cocks, posters (including Cuneos) and a Hallade track-recording instrument.

The auction is being conducted free of charge by Sheffield Railwayana Auctions, which is offering to auction any unwanted objects brought in by members of the public, the proceeds of which will go towards the conservation fund. Details: www.nrm.org.uk