Dear engineers. Help me please identify this unusual antique electric locomotive!

[Romak]

Dear engineers and model railroad enthusiasts.

I've discovered this interesting and quite unusual early electric locomotive that I believe an antique one, made somewhere in the early 1900s. It is about 26 cm long and it has an electric motor inside. I have never seen such an example before. Not only I like that unusual system of gearing, but also the shape of the front part of the locomotive. It reminds me of an early battleship or a machine from Jules Verne's story. I can see that somebody placed contemporary wires inside. That means the locomotive probably still in working condition. It would be great to know who manufactured it and when. Thank you!

https://pasteboard.co/JSeEgXl.jpg

[daveklepper]

Also wuld  be interested in learning.

[Overmod]

That's almost certainly intended as one of the two 'production' Heilmann locomotives.  In lieu of pasting a bunch of pictures, here's a video with plenty of them -- just be prepared to turn your sound down (or mute it) while watching:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kTq1UM6ank0

The considerable oversimplification of the original double right-wheel trucks is probably to make something that will run on contemporary 'clockwork' tracks -- this may represent an early motor conversion of parts originally intended to be spring driven.

On reflection, I wonder if this is only 'half' the original, with the other half being a boiler on a similar "4-4-0" chassis.  That would account for the whole missing back half and give the full 16 wheels simultaneously; it is certainly what I'd do (as you could sell the front 'half' as its own toy, and perhaps gin up a simple cab for the 'boiler end' to sell as a contemporary 4-4-0, while still keeping the grand original...)

I would definitely cross-post this on Classic Toy Trains as it will be of catnip interest to some over there.

 

[Overmod]

There were other cab-forward 'locomotives a bec' in that general era, including the Thuile locomotive

http://www.douglas-self.com/MUSEUM/LOCOLOCO/thuile/thuile.htm

but most (as with the original La Fusee 'Rocket' - note the "2707" vibe) were differently styled from that generally if-Bob-Hope-were-Gigantor style.

 

[Jones1945]

It definitely looks like a toy version of the second (and the third?) Heilmann locomotives!

[Overmod]

http://www.catskillarchive.com/rrextra/elheil.Html

[Romak]

Fantastic! It looks so much like that locomotive! Thank you very much everybody for such great help!

If the locomotive was made in the late 1890s, then this toy model might be made later. It would be interesting to find who made it. Let's assume, the maker is also in France. Then maybe Radiguet & Massiot made this version of the early electric locomotive?

[Romak]

Interesting idea about this locomotive is made of two halves. I just think the way it all assembled, it seems like the locomotive is a single unit, rather than two parts. I will take a closer look. Thak you.

Not sure how to cross-post it :) Also, a great idea!

[pennytrains]

Whoever made it certainly did an excellent job! 

[Overmod]

Romak

I just think the way it all assembled, it seems like the locomotive is a single unit, rather than two parts.

What I'm saying is not that the locomotive you have is in 'two parts'.  I'm thinking that the four-axle locomotive you have is only one part; there is another four-axle "back half" that has the rear-facing boiler on it to give both the effect of the 'whole' 8001/2 and the full 16 wheels of the prototype.

Something interesting is why the portion of the body over the motor is wider than the 'nose' and has a repeat of the pointed roof.  This is a lot of additional tin bending and fabrication when just making the body continuous would be both easier and more 'true to the original'.  

[Romak]

Got it :) Yes, the inventor's full-size locomotive had also a boiler that I believe supplied steam for the steam engine rotating the turbine. Maybe the manufacturer of this early electric train just wanted to make a shorter version with an electric motor only.

Interesting question about the widening of the back side of the locomotive! Maybe this is in order to fit something that is a bit wider. Maybe electric coils. I will look closer when it arrives for the inspection.

[wjstix]

I would second posting this over on the Classic Toy Trains forum, you'll probably get even more good info!