VINELAND, N.J. — Jerry and Nina Greene’s toy train collection performed well at Bertoia Auctions Saturday, April 9, in a sale that saw many of the best pieces perform well over estimate, including the top lot, a Marklin tunnel with a mountain castle tower.

The tunnel, one of the finest of Marklin’s well-crafted accessories, was estimated at $18/22,000 but bids climbed higher and higher, until they peaked at $84,000, including the 20 percent buyer’s premium. The tunnel went to a determined phone bidder, an America collector, who beat out the online underbidder.

Jeanne Bertoia described the sale as “unbelievable” and noted the market was very strong for these top-draw pieces assembled by the Greenes over several decades.

A complete review on the auction will follow in an upcoming edition.