A LIFETIME’S collection of fascinating vintage postcards capturing East Anglia’s lost steam railway heritage is to go under the hammer this weekend.

The archive of more than 170 images, dating from the Edwardian period to the 1930s, will be auctioned by Lockdales, at its Martlesham Heath base. The photographs bring back to life stations that have long since been closed or undergone a significant upgrade.

Many of the scenes feature Suffolk stations including Aldeburgh, Blythburgh, Halesworth, Bury St Edmunds, Laxfield and Brockford, on the defunct Mid Suffolk Light Railway line.

There is also a scene of a royal visit to Orwell Station and images from Saxmundham, Leiston and Somersham.

Chris Elmy, of Lockdales, said: “In terms of local cards, it is the best collection we have ever seen, containing over 170 cards, each of which will be sold separately in a special section on Sunday afternoon.

“Some of these individual cards have been known to fetch up to �100 each. These beautiful old cards are highly collectable, and we look forward to seeing how they get on this Sunday.”

Bures, Bungay, Claydon, Elmswell and Eye are also featured in the extensive collection.

Many of the postcards capture everyday moments from station life, while others capture the arrival or departure of impressive steam engines. For details visit www.lockdales.com.