Need help I.D.ing train

[dieselfan04]

My parents recently purchased some old cast iron trains. They have no manufacturer markings of any kind on them. The two sides are attached through the middle with machine screws. There is a steam engine and coal tender labeled for the StL & Or. One passenger car is black and has markings on the side of 44 STL&RRR44. One passenger car is green and has markings of 44 RRR evirdihd & siuolts44 on one side and er.r.r44 on the other. One passenger car is red with the markings of 44STLouis44 on both sides. Any help on this would be appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Cast iron trains (and toys in general) were popular from the 1880's to the 1920's. Manufacturers of such trains from this era include Kenton, Dent, Hubley, Ideal and Ives. These are quite collectable today and many are worth a lot of money.

However, in modern times (and still today) companies have made cast iron trains simmilar in appearance to the old ones. These really don't have very much value. I'm no expert on cast iron floor trains, but chances are that if the paint is really nice and includes gold trim on all the details, it's probably a modern one. Original ones usually look their age and have paint chips, playware, etc. This is not 100% indication, but is something to go on.

Check out the cast iron toy section of ebay at http://toys.listings.ebay.com/Vintage-Antique-Toys_Cast-Iron_W0QQcatrefZC4QQfromZR4QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQsacatZ721QQsocmdZListingItemList . See it you find it there. Hope this helps!

[Anonymous]

I have been collecting PreWar and Carlisle& Finch, Ive's, Dorfan,Hafner and the like for years. I have quite an exstensive collection. If you would like to send a digi pic of it I am sure I can identifly it for you. Spike [e-mail]