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Need help identifying model train is all metal about 5lbs. abouit 18 inches long. seems to be S scale/gauge

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Need help identifying model train is all metal about 5lbs. abouit 18 inches long. seems to be S scale/gauge
Posted by Woody and sons on Tuesday, February 18, 2020 1:15 PM

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Posted by Flintlock76 on Tuesday, February 18, 2020 4:13 PM

Welcome  aboard!

I'm assuming you tried to post some pictures, could you try it again, it looks like they didn't post at all.

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Posted by rtraincollector on Tuesday, February 18, 2020 5:39 PM

also read the post on posting pictures, you need to find a host site to do so

Life's hard, even harder if your stupid  John Wayne

http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/

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Posted by rtraincollector on Tuesday, February 18, 2020 5:41 PM

Also any number on it, steam or diesel ( I'm guessing steam ) and other markings, if steam is it a 2-6-4 or what is it? ( count wheels on front section, then middle then the back section ( in case you didn't know. )

 

Life's hard, even harder if your stupid  John Wayne

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Posted by lionelsoni on Tuesday, February 18, 2020 5:54 PM

To find the track gauge, measure the distance between the wheels on one axle.  Make your measurement from the crease between the wheel tread and the flange.  S gauge is about 7/8 inch, O is about 1 1/4 inch. 

Bob Nelson

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Posted by Penny Trains on Tuesday, February 18, 2020 6:44 PM

Welcome aboard!

Becky

Trains, trains, wonderful trains.  The more you get, the more you toot!  Big Smile

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Posted by Woody and sons on Tuesday, February 18, 2020 10:25 PM

Flintlock76

Welcome  aboard!

I'm assuming you tried to post some pictures, could you try it again, it looks like they didn't post at all.

https://link.shutterfly.com/Clkk1D8ec4

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Posted by Flintlock76 on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 9:25 AM

Wow.

I don't know what you've got.  It seems to be a custom model of a Pennsylvania Railroad "Mountain" type.  In my opinion it's way too big for S gauge.  It's closer to O gauge scale.  A Max Gray product, maybe?   Something built by a hobbyist?  It's unique, that's for certain.  

Maybe the New York Society Of Model Engineers can identify it.  Their O scale operations go WAY back, 80+ years in fact.  There may be some institutional memory there that can help you.  

http://www.modelengineers.org   Try contacting them.

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Posted by BigAl 956 on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 11:26 AM

Woody and sons

Same here, doesn't look familiar at all. No idendifying marks or numbers?

It would be nice to see the bottom as I could tell if 3 or 2-rail. Are you based in North America? This looks pre-war European or homemade to me.

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Posted by Nationwidelines on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 1:15 PM

What is the body made of?  Tin? Brass?, Die Cast?  

It is difficult to tell, as your pictures are a bit dark.

It does look like some sort of kit or home made item, but the motor parts look like they have a bit more professional construction.

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Posted by Woody and sons on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 1:42 PM

Two Rail..1 1/4 wheel space .. no marks or numbers looked everywhere.. I also have one that is 4-6-2 and looks like a k4 style american flyer.. no marks or numbers either I will ad photos https://link.shutterfly.com/Clkk1D8ec4https://link.shutterfly.com/Clkk1D8ec4

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Posted by Woody and sons on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 1:49 PM

https://link.shutterfly.com/Clkk1D8ec4

I added A second one that is 4-6-2 looks like a k4 american flyer..

Body is tin. chassie is cast and the front with with smoke stack is cast on the 4-8-2. but the 4-6-2 thr front with the smoke stack is brass I believe..

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Posted by lionelsoni on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 2:36 PM

And the gauge is...

Bob Nelson

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Posted by Woody and sons on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 2:41 PM

2 rail O gauge . I also have a 4-6-2 one that is made similar . i added pics to link

https://link.shutterfly.com/Clkk1D8ec4

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Posted by Penny Trains on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 6:51 PM

I'll light them up for you.  Big Smile

That U shaped lever remids me of a reversing mechanism American Flyer used.

This photo and the one previous imply that at least some of the loco is brass.

Whoever made them, they're certainly impreesive!

Becky

Trains, trains, wonderful trains.  The more you get, the more you toot!  Big Smile

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Posted by Flintlock76 on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 7:05 PM

A K4 too?  The mystery deepens.

Well, I've got a book called "150 Years Of Model Railroading" by Hal Carstens.  There might  be something in there but it's going to take a page-by-page look to find anything, that's if I DO find anything.  The book's not well written, not chaptered by era or manufacturer, or gauge, or indexed.  It's kind of a "rambling-shambling" work, more like a BS session of model railroaders than a serious history.  Hal must have been past his prime when he wrote it.

So don't wait for me, if anyone has any ideas sound off.  I might be a while.

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Posted by rtraincollector on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 7:57 PM

I'll put my guess in. Two rail O ( O scale ) some type of kit. Other idea could it be a kit and outside 3rd rail and that part be missing?

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Posted by Penny Trains on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 8:26 PM

Here's a list that might prove useful: http://www.tcawestern.org/manufacturers.htm

Trains, trains, wonderful trains.  The more you get, the more you toot!  Big Smile

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Posted by Woody and sons on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 8:30 PM

thanks for all your help I will let you know if I find anything

 

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Posted by Flintlock76 on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 8:37 PM

I went through the book cover-to-cover and couldn't find a bloody thing. Bang Head

Let me light up Becky's link for everyone.

http://www.tcawestern.org/manufacturers.htm  

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Posted by wrmcclellan on Thursday, February 20, 2020 9:47 AM

You have a tough one here.

If one puruses old Model Railroader mags you will find quite a few small businesses that made brass castings and kits of various locomotives. Your locos seem to fall into this category. I have the MR DVD they released some years back of their older issues (now available online via subscription) since they started the magazine. To open each issue and look through all the pictoral ads that many of these folks published would be a Herculean task.

The only possibilities I can suggest - helpful if you are a TCA member - would be to 1) contact the TCA - particularly John Newbraugh who publishes the Who Done It series in TCA quarterly. He publishes pictures of unusual train items for any member to comment on its origin. 2) if you are in the area, attend a TCA Eastern Division York meet (Spring meet is April 24/25 2020 - you no longer have to be a member to attend - but the member halls are not accessible to non-members) where they have an area for unusual items for experts to visit and comment upon. It is rare that an item is not eventually identified.

I have Mr. Newbraugh's email. If you want it you can PM me via this forum. If you are not a TCA member I cannot comment how he would handle your inquiry. However, most of these folks are very accommodating in my experience.

Regards, Roy

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Posted by Woody and sons on Thursday, February 20, 2020 10:06 PM

i found that in the late 30's to early 40's a company called Scale-Craft made Kits you build it . it came in levels hobby,assembly, and professional. they have one that looks just like the k4 I have. O and OO scale

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Posted by Flintlock76 on Friday, February 21, 2020 8:43 AM

Good job!  At least you found something.

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