Mystery Streamliner

[prewardude]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BobbyDing

I get no pics either. Have the pics been withdrawn?

See my post above. [;)]

[BobbyDing]

I get no pics either. Have the pics been withdrawn?

[Anonymous]

Ugh. I really want to see, I may even explode.....

[cnw1995]

Yeah, Clint is right. This was a keeper though I wonder how much he wanted for it?

[prewardude]

This is a very old thread that got resurrected. Obviously, the photos got deleted from the server location sometime last year. I tried looking all over the Web last night to see if I could find cached versions of the pics somewhere, but no luck. All I remember about this train was that it was blue and yellow and very distinctive; I've never seen one like it. Maybe toytrain13 will see the new interest in this thread and repost the pics.

Regards,
Clint

[Anonymous]

Same here! o please. this seems like a must see!

[Kooljock1]

You're lucky. All I get are blue "?" boxes...

Jon [8D]

[philo426]

all that I see are red x's why is that?I would like to see this unique loco.

[Anonymous]

Did this train look like the city of denver around the windshield.? I m unable to pull picture up. Does this detail make it appear like it is an early Elecromotive product? Also pictures of Bel Geddes 1939 Worlds fair futurama train models seem very diffcult to view.

[Anonymous]

Hi- The owner of the Mystery Streamliner would like to sell it, after having owned it for a number of years. You can e-mail him at: [e-mail] for details. Additional information: the set is constructed of tinplated steel (not brass or aluminum as previously stated), and the nose and tail sections are leaded in to obtain the contours. The door edges are formed from fine wire, countoured to the bodies. The engine frame is brass. I was able to obtain a couple of pictures of the engine chassis. The weight over one truck has been removed so that details of that truck are visible; the second powered truck is similar to the one shown. As stated before, this appears to be a 2-rail set, probably constructed in the late 40's or early 50's

Regards- Richard W.

[Anonymous]

Hello again- I just recalled that Mantua (or TYCO) produced a rather odd-looking HO gauge diesel streamliner sometime in the 60's (?) that was NOT based on any real-life train. It was a Talgo-type train, as I recall. I wanted to compare the styling of that HO gauge set to that of the O-gauge Mystery Streamliner. I haven't been able to locate the Mantua set on EBay. Can anyone provide me with a photo of the Mantua train, or direct me to where I can find same, please?
Regards- Richard White

[Anonymous]

Hi guys,

Roger Carp and I here at Classic Toy Trains looked at the posted photos but drew a blank. The tail end looks prewar, but those side scoops along the cab are very 1950s, jet-engine inspired. Looking at the trucks, I've seen some postwar brass 2-rail O scale diesels with construction that looks similar. The train could have been a engineering model for a proposed real-life train that was never built.. Once in a while we come across old photos of engineering models that were constructed in O scale. A look at the motor and drive-line could give you some clues.

Neil Besougloff
editor, CTT

[Anonymous]

Trucks with no sideframes very 21st century. The repeated windows are like the early streamlined Hiawatha. Norman bel Geddes did make the GM Futurama at the 1939 Worlds Fair and there was a layout in it. Maybe that is a place to look into further. Many people are knowledgable on this subject. Like I said it looks EMD like to me and this would be in keeping.

I love the name. It is a shout-out to both coasts. The optimistim of a true transcontinental.
If only a modern manufacturer made things like this. It is kind of like the Phantom but less clunky. I would get it.

[Anonymous]

I want to thank everyone who has responded regarding the Mystery Streamliner, and in particular I want to thank those that did research on it! I am now tending to agree with those that think that this was a one-off by a VERY talented builder. Here are some more photos... Regards- Richard White

[mersenne6]

My guess would be you'd get the tools and skills today the same way you got them back then - pennies, patience, and practice. [:)] . A good place to see examples of the output of the modern day equivalent of skilled modelers of the past is Narrow Gauge Gazette. Assuming you were working in brass you would have to have some means of rolling sheet brass for the roof contours. The car sides could be laid out in the usual fashion and, if it was brass, you could sweat solder two car sides together for a perfect matchup of windows and doors. The nose and tail, with their compound curves would be the biggest challenge. While I haven't made anything as elaborate as this streamliner I have done compound curves in both plastic and brass. For brass all it takes is jigs, patience, and time. For plastic, the easiest way to build up a nose and tail assembly like the one pictured is to do laminates - again patience and time.

[Dave Farquhar]

So where does one get the tools and skills to make that today? I'm not expecting a positive answer to that question, BTW--count me as jealous. Of the guy who has it certainly, but even more so of the guy who made it, because the guy who can make that could have anything he wanted.

[mersenne6]

I checked everything I've got on the art deco period and several articles on various and sundry streamline toy trains. There are aspects of the train reminiscent of Norman Bell Geddes's work but a check of the book The Streamline Decade didn't turn up anything similar. I also checked with Robert Thon who has written numerous articles on toy and real streamliners in CTT as well as in the TTOS and TCA journals. I asked him if he had seen the pictures of your streamliner and could offer any insight. Apparently you have already talked with him and he too has never seen anything like it. My personal guess is that it's a one off homebuilt. If you check pictures in old issues of Model Railroader (as in 1940's-1950's old) it is apparent there were any number of modeler with the skills and tools needed to make something like your train. It would certainly be nice to know who built it and what the layout looked like.

[Anonymous]

I suspect that the earlier posts that this is some sort of custom advertising OR possibly a custom model for a film or other use.

VERY interesting. Along with the "22 Howard train these strange trains are making this board something that MUST be checked. THANKS for posting this very interesting train. I hope someone can find what it is, but I suspect that unless the model builder shows up on line we are not going to find out.

[lupo]

QUOTE: Originally posted by prrsd35

It appears to have a european flavor to it, but is really, really nice.

Never saw anything like this overhere, but the engine paint scheme: doesn't it look a bit
Warbonnet-ish , It looks more like a 1930 idea how a 21th century train would look like

[Anonymous]

What do you mean by "but "? And what does europe taste like? Could it be the passenger car above it in the top picture that leads you to that.

To me it looks like a very early EMD variation. The paint job is a little odd, not in keeping with the train itself. It may be repainted.

[Anonymous]

It appears to have a european flavor to it, but is really, really nice.

[eZAK]

You may want to contact some from the TCA http://www.traincollectors.org/

[Anonymous]

Interesting pictures. I don't recall ever seeing anything like this in any store or hobby shop. Looks like some sort of two or three rail type of train, though. The idea I had was that it could possibly have been for a t.v. or movie set. Have you tried those auction or antique shows like the one on t.v. "Antique Road Show"? They might be able to shed some light on it for you.[:)]

[Anonymous]

After thinking about this train, I have a guess as to what it might be. Perhaps it was never intended for sale to the general public. It might have been a special one-off item (or else just a couple made) that was made for a promotional or advertising display for some company. Of course, this is just a guess, but it doesn make sense.

[Anonymous]

Wow. I want it too.

At the Red Caboose in NYC there is an old engine that kind of looks like this in one of the cases. It is a metal casting and is HO. I wanted it but the guy who runs the place (thick glasses used to work at Polks) will not sell. It seems like the bowser autotrain but isn't he tried to sell me this instead. Like I was blind or something. I am always looking for futuristic / fantasy trains it is my real hobby.

Nice piece. It a little bit reminds me of the jet powered prototype featured in CCT awhile back built on AF bodies.

[pbjwilson]

I'll take one of those.
Is there a Railsounds version ?

[Anonymous]

One word...WOW! Thanks so much for sharing these pictures. Unfortunately, I know nothing about this train. It sure is sharp looking, though! Your friend is one lucky man! I'd love to have one of these in my collection!

[Anonymous]

Hello- A friend of mine owns this mystery O-gauge streamliner. It seems to be of brass or possibly aluminum construction, but it is so beautifully crafted (note the taper of the tail end, and the faired-in tail lights there) that I question that it is homemade. The detailing is toy-like, but the lenghts of the engine and cars are scale-like. It appears to be 2-rail, and the loco has a centrally-located motor powering each truck by way of horizontal shafts. And note the jet fighter style air scoops on the locomotive! The loco and cars are lettered "Keystone Pacific Lines" and "The Dart." (neither of these titles got any reponse online).
I would sincerely appreciate hearing from anyone who can cast some light on this!

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