Need hlep finding information on a train

[Jim Duda]

Onceler -

I'm no expert but right clicking on your broken image icon indicates you're trying to save these directly from your hard drive. We all wish it was that simple! You have to upload them to a URL that is image friendly and then copy them into your post with the correct HTML syntax.

Spankybird will be glad to tutor you...

[wrmcclellan]

onceler,

Here is the link:

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=21724

[lionelsoni]

I can't either. Can any picture-posting experts help us here?

A gauge of 2 inches is Maerklin number 2, which indicates a European origin. If it were 2 1/8 inches, it would be American. This gauge was called "standard" by Lionel, who originated it, and "wide" by others who couldn't use the Lionel term.

[Anonymous]

Nope, I don't think it's you. How do you post images? I thought I had it licked, but clearly I need help.

[wrmcclellan]

It may be me but I do not see the photos, just Red X's.

[Anonymous]

Here's the information on the train.

Inside to inside of track = 2”.
It has a forward/reverse lever, axle-to-axle = 2 ¾”;
wheel diameter is 2 ¾”.
We have 8 curved and 8 straight pieces of track.
The straight pieces are 12 ¼” long with 3 ties per section.
Ties are ½ x ½ x 3 ½”.

Here's a picture or two:
1)
2)

[Dave Farquhar]

If it's from 1904, it's nearly as likely to be European as American. At the turn of the century, we imported a lot of toys, especially from Germany. Possible American candidates would be Carlisle & Finch, Voltamp, and some upstart company called Lionel. Possible German candidates would be Bing and Marklin, but I don't know when Bing and Marklin started making electrics.

A photograph would definitely help in identifying it.

[lionelsoni]

Before WW1, the US imported large amounts of toys from Europe, and Germany in particular. I would say Europe was the most likely place of origin for a train bought in New Jersey in 1904. Trains meant for export to the US would probably have been lettered in English.

[Anonymous]

It's really bothering me that the topic says "hlep". Really bothering me.

Anyhoo, I called my folks at home to try to get more information on the train. I doubt that it's European, my grandfather was raised in New Jersey, and I'm not sure what kind of access his friends and family would have had to European trains.

Hopefully I can get the dimensional information, and maybe a description or digital photograph of the engine.

[railfanespee4449]

From my research I found a lot of references to Europe. Is it European?

[lionelsoni]

Can you tell us a little about it? How many wheels on the locomotive? What is the gauge, the distance between the inside edges of the outside rails? Is the model itself electric, that is, does it have an electric motor, or is it a non-electric model of an electric locomotive? How many cars of what kinds? What does the track, if any, look like?

[Anonymous]

My grandfather gave my mother a model train set that we believe was given to him in 1904. We can't find any number/manufacturer/model information except the following:

"electric locomotive 221"

Does anyone have any idea what this might be? Who made it? Where we'd be able to get more information on it?

Thanks in advance