Antique Toy Train

I'm asking for help to come up with any other possible information that anyone else may have. This is a toy that comes from the 1930s or 1940s is our guess. The only writing is on the front & it says "New York Central Lines." My dad found it at my grandfather's and we are looking for answers...... Anyone that could help us out with any possible information would be great











Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

 

Hi Dog, welcome to the TrainBoard, we're happy to have you aboard.

That's an interesting looking toy, though I can't help you with any information. Are there any markings anywhere on it that might help us identify the manufacturer, even a logo or a few letters would help?

I doubt if it was made as late as the 30s or 40s, because American Flyer (A.C. Gilbert), Lionel, and Marx trains were all electric by then. I suspect it was made before the 20s. I remember playing with a wind-up train when I was very young in the late 30s, but I don't remember anything about it.

You might post a query on the Smithsonian's website because they have a large collection early American toys, especially trains. I assume you've tried to Google for something like "Toy Train Wind-up" or similar.

To the Fallen Flags Administrators - Jim or Ken, Dog might have more luck if this topic were moved to the Inspection Pit....what do you think?

 

WELCOME ABOARD! That engine looks to be from the 20s or early 30s based on its style ("streamline"). You may want to look at EBay for similar items, but I agree with Hytec that Smithsonian may have the answer.

 

John, good point. I completely overlooked that, looking solely from the mechanical perspective. Thanks.

 

Remember, there were no streamlined steam locomotives until 1934, so this can't be from before then. I guess this one is based on the streamlined Commodore Vanderbilt Hudson.

 

Dog
Here is a youtube video that looks to be same engine. This is a louis marx company set built in 1936.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWaobyVHCqU"]YouTube - Marx Wind up Toy Train[/ame]

 

I'm going to get sick watching this thing spin in circles like that...

:bulgy-eyes::bulgy-eyes::bulgy-eyes::bulgy-eyes:​

 

round and round we go :we-spinny::we-spinny::we-spinny::we-spinny:

 

I'll be darned, sure looks like the one Dog has. Nice find, Big Steam. :thumbs_up:

 

As usual, I'm late to the party, and welcome to Trainboard, Dog. Sure looks like you guys have nailed it. I would have guessed Marx, as one of their "customers" when a kid. Gee, we don't get this much participation in a thread involving New York Central 12 inch to the foot scale. I like it!

 

Thanks guys..... It's really really close. Must be a Marx, but the year may be wrong because of a few minor details. Either that a manufacturing change.

Just to reiterate the ONLY markings on it was

^^^something like that or like the video^^^

Examples of details were on the crank side front there is something there on the video all we have is a tiny hole.

Bottom of train- back brace between wheels has a hole between rear wheels on video and solid on ours.

And a hole in the front below New York Central Lines logo. This isn't visible on the video, but we aren't sure what it is for. It doesn't look like a cow catcher attatchment is supposed to be there, altho it looks as if there could be one there with the hole.

Again thanks for the help, obviously you you sent us on the right track. We'll keep looking to see what we can find.