Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Brass Loco by description only ! Who or what is this ?

3517 views
15 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Sunday, March 25, 2018 2:19 PM

I don't think so, scroll up and check out the link that Millrace has in his post, the logo on the bottom of the cars is the same that is on this loco.

And a search for F.A.L. of Italy brings up much of the same.  Everything from brass cars to picture frames, but nothing on this loco.

Mike.

  • Member since
    March 2008
  • 773 posts
Posted by ruderunner on Sunday, March 25, 2018 2:14 PM

Dunce. The way the top of the F comes all the way across, is the last letter a "t" ?

Modeling the Cleveland and Pittsburgh during the PennCentral era starting on the Cleveland lakefront and ending in Mingo junction

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: west coast
  • 7,668 posts
Posted by rrebell on Saturday, March 24, 2018 10:14 AM

Just a decrative item for a shelf or coffee table, had plenty in the 70's

  • Member since
    May 2004
  • 7,500 posts
Posted by 7j43k on Friday, March 23, 2018 10:13 AM

Teddy B.,

 

I like your tenacity.  Good work!

 

Ed

  • Member since
    July 2001
  • From: US
  • 143 posts
Posted by TeddyB on Friday, March 23, 2018 8:04 AM
 
I posted this on another site and got the info below, it's not Portugeuse, I contancted that foundry and they said it wasn't by them, although they did brass stuff for " real "  trains ! I've seen pictures of the cars by FAL and even on Ebay, but not this WESTERN loco ! Still curious what it was for, this is a lot of work not to be special ! .......
 
I believe FAL (Should be F.A.L.), is the small Italian foundary in Casting of statues, sculptures (bronze, brass or silver reproductions, from each material)- Lost wax casting (jewellery, medals, chandeliers, lamps, etc.).- Production of models on request (eg statues, busts, reliefs, etc.).
F.A.L. stands for...Fonderia Artistica Leopaldo (Artisitic Foundary Leopaldo) in English!
I know of a Bugatti, Mercedes-Benz SSK, Mercedes-Benz 300SL, Citroen saloon, VW Beetle cabriolet, Porsche 911 or 930, Rolls-Royce Phantom III and the Western Locomotive mentioned above.
  • Member since
    September 2003
  • 21,669 posts
Posted by Overmod on Friday, March 23, 2018 4:54 AM

Looks to me as though there was "something" packaged in the cab area -- perhaps this is the Italian version of those Avon 'collectibles' or the whisky decanter set.  Leads me to think (1) there are cars that go with it, and (2) the cars also have some kind of packaged product on or in them.

The 'Western' name and picture of the locomotive are likely clues.  And perhaps if we figure out what that symbol that looks like blow-molding represents -- perhaps the company that commissioned it -- we'll get further.

  • Member since
    August 2004
  • 2,844 posts
Posted by dinwitty on Thursday, March 22, 2018 7:33 AM
it has a hookbump on the rear like it will pull cars behind it, like its a floor toy. There may be cars for it.
  • Member since
    May 2004
  • 7,500 posts
Posted by 7j43k on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 2:07 PM

If FAL Italy doesn't work out for you, you might try the one I linked to, which is in Portugal.

 

Ed

  • Member since
    July 2001
  • From: US
  • 143 posts
Posted by TeddyB on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 12:49 PM

Good to know about the FAL Italy...I'll start snooping !

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Columbus, OH
  • 37 posts
Posted by millrace on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 12:46 PM

Found this: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/sca/modeling_subjects/f/30/t/87028.aspx

There are other FAL Italy brass cars, trucks, and tractors on Ebay, etc., though I haven't been able to find any info about the company.

  • Member since
    May 2004
  • 7,500 posts
Posted by 7j43k on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 10:27 AM

Notice the name and logo in the following link:

 

http://www.fal.pt/en/company

 

 

Ed

  • Member since
    July 2001
  • From: US
  • 143 posts
Posted by TeddyB on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 8:30 AM

I emailed the foundry with pix. I tried taking shots of only the markings by themselves and looked around to see if any search engines recognise them, no luck.

There has to be a foundry mark database somewhere...I just got to find it ! Maybe a cast iron toy forum, I'll look for that next !

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Tuesday, March 20, 2018 6:15 PM

TeddyB,

Looks to Me like it is a Brass Sand Casting. Also looks like a promotional product. Could not find anything on Western.....I believe those are foundry markings. Should You want to pursue it more.......maybe getting in touch with another foundry who might be familiar with it. This link may be a start.......they have been in businesss since 1908........just a long shot!

http://www.lbfoundry.com/brass-sand-casting.html?_vsrefdom=ppcgoogle&ex=q3mwip-eep549-4f4jb2&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=%2Bbrass%20%2Bcastings&utm_campaign=brass&gclid=CjwKCAjw4sLVBRAlEiwASblR-5mWKvv0xOTXiBLUAtDxTKhkJgLL5r6xpGmF38lGUsuG-37MX0M_jxoCkg4QAvD_BwE

It could have been a paper weight.

Good Luck! Big Smile

Frank

 

  • Member since
    July 2001
  • From: US
  • 143 posts
Posted by TeddyB on Tuesday, March 20, 2018 5:42 PM

I just tested it with a magnet will not stick .

  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: Canada, eh?
  • 13,375 posts
Posted by doctorwayne on Tuesday, March 20, 2018 4:18 PM

I'm curious to know if you've tested it with a magnet?  The photo showing the bottom looks to me more like cast iron, than it does brass.
The only "FAL" I found on a quick search was regarding a rifle, and the letters were not overlapping, as in your photo - I doubt that it has anything to do with your hefty locomotive.

Wayne

  • Member since
    July 2001
  • From: US
  • 143 posts
Brass Loco by description only ! Who or what is this ?
Posted by TeddyB on Tuesday, March 20, 2018 12:55 PM

Hi ALL!

I found this at the bottom of a heavy box !

It's a solid brass 4-4-0 Locomotive....toy ? Keepsake ?

I does have markings on the bottom that I don't recognise !

a big WESTERN , below left of that looks something like an onion , or a spoon within a spoon ....od something else ! And to the right of that a stylized logo that might say FA4 ? Maybe some frateernal order ?

It is not a bank ! Maybe a give-away in a fund raising ?

I did try looking for the logos...no luck !

ANYONE ??

 

 

 

 

 

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!