At Rail & Road Auctions, we take pride in partnering with consignors to bring their treasured collections — often a lifetime of passion and dedication — to market with the respect they deserve.

An auction company that listens
Every consignment is unique. We take time to understand your goals and tailor the process to meet your needs, from evaluation through final settlement.

A passion for what we sell
Our love of transportation runs deep. The glow of a railroad lantern, the polished brass of a ship’s porthole, the chrome of a mid-century automobile, or the precision of an aircraft instrument — each tells a story of progress, adventure, and human ingenuity. These aren’t just antiques or artifacts; they are tangible links to the eras and experiences that defined travel. We honor that history in every description, photograph, and sale we conduct.

A safe and transparent selling experience
Your collection is handled with respect from the moment it’s picked up until the last check is written. Rail & Road Auctions is committed to clear communication, thorough documentation, and unwavering integrity. All consignments are fully insured while in our care, and consignors can expect payment approximately 30 days after the sale.

A quality auction
With more than a decade of experience, Rail & Road knows what drives successful results. We blend traditional and digital marketing to reach the largest possible audience of serious collectors. Each catalog is published online about 30 days before the auction, allowing buyers ample time to study and prepare their bids. We offer live, online, absentee, and phone bidding to make participation convenient and accessible.

An auction company that meets you where you are
Though headquartered in Lafayette, Indiana, Rail & Road serves consignors nationwide. We regularly travel across the United States to professionally pack, transport, and represent important transportation collections from coast to coast.

“I had come by a rather large, but eclectic collection of railroadiana that needed to be sorted and moved into the hands of collectors who would preserve the vibrant history of the American Railroad better than watching the pieces decay in a box under the stairs.  I tried several of the larger auction houses and I never even got a reply.  Then I found Derek Thomas at Rail and Road Auctions and Derek got right back to me.  We worked together to understand the collection and when I shipped it to him, he took it from there.  I was extremely grateful for all the work Derek did from additional research, meticulous cataloging, shipping, and care of very fragile and complex pieces. I can’t thank Derek enough at Rail and Road Auction for helping us.  I will certainly work with them in the future.”

J.P. - Rail & Road Consignor

I had never participated in an auction before, so I was genuinely concerned about how this would work. I found Mr. Thomas quite easy to work with. The auction was a success and my share of the proceeds was forward to me within four weeks.

I look forward to participating in more auctions at Rail & Road.

Robert L. Hunt

Robert L. Hunt, Robert L. Hunt - Artist
I have worked with Derek on many projects over the years. He is wonderful to work with and a great brain stormer. I find Derek to be an honest, hard working person. He always contributes many great ideas to our projects. I look forward to many more collaborations with Derek and Rail & Road.
Angela Trotta Thomas