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Author Topic: The Last Empire Unicorn: Electric Battery Engine B-44  (Read 617 times)

txlabman

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The Last Empire Unicorn: Electric Battery Engine B-44
« on: May 03, 2023, 08:28:21 am »
Now that we know of the one Empire Giant Stride Swing No. 48 exists, there is one remaining Empire Unicorn.

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Don Stilson's book credits the picture to Carl Pilletteri.
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Stoker

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Re: The Last Empire Unicorn: Electric Battery Engine B-44
« Reply #1 on: May 03, 2023, 08:36:47 am »
If the book is correct and it was in production for five years, it really shouldn't be too much of a Unicorn. But of course, with old D-cell batteries left in too long, leaking corrosive substances, I'm sure a whole lot of them ended up in the landfills a long, long time ago!
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RichSteamTx

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Re: The Last Empire Unicorn: Electric Battery Engine B-44
« Reply #2 on: May 03, 2023, 08:40:21 am »
that would be a odd bird to find.  I do have the other one, which is in near perfect shape
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RichSteamTx

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Re: The Last Empire Unicorn: Electric Battery Engine B-44
« Reply #3 on: December 05, 2023, 02:14:37 pm »
So after looking at the "Empire Educational Toys 1935" book, it seems to me this guy will have a base like a B30/31/35.  I thought it would be a pressed steel base but I think not.  It's listed at a bit over 14 pounds... so at that weight it would need to have the older / heavier base..

"Heavy steel construction. Furnished in red enamel with polished nickel trim.  Cast flywheel and drive pulley".  I think a lot of Don's descriptions come from this book too but a bit summarized.

If we could only see one (or in my case HAVE one)!  ;D

PS: When I bought most of Carl's Empire collection that B-44 was not to be found for me to buy.  I even had the seller contact Carl's son and he didn't know about it and that all the Empire items had been turned over to SlowJoey.

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Richard

txlabman

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Re: The Last Empire Unicorn: Electric Battery Engine B-44
« Reply #4 on: December 05, 2023, 04:36:08 pm »
And the 14 1/2 pounds does not include the battery.

I think that CrazyDoug has the only known example of the B-44.
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RichSteamTx

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Re: The Last Empire Unicorn: Electric Battery Engine B-44
« Reply #5 on: December 05, 2023, 04:37:50 pm »
No way, really?  @crazydoug is that right?

I know he has a B-39, that is different from a B-33 (has a worm gear reducer). 
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Richard

RichSteamTx

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Re: The Last Empire Unicorn: Electric Battery Engine B-44
« Reply #6 on: December 05, 2023, 07:52:40 pm »
I found a lot of Empire Metal Ware Corp Ads via Google Book search but the B-44 is MIA.  Granted there are lots of other engines / accessories I didn't find with this search...
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Richard

txlabman

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Re: The Last Empire Unicorn: Electric Battery Engine B-44
« Reply #7 on: December 06, 2023, 08:46:53 am »
Thanks for posting Rich.
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RichSteamTx

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Re: The Last Empire Unicorn: Electric Battery Engine B-44
« Reply #8 on: December 06, 2023, 08:51:43 am »
Here is something interesting, Harvey to Metal Ware [ Guests cannot view attachments ]
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Richard

Stoker

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Re: The Last Empire Unicorn: Electric Battery Engine B-44
« Reply #9 on: December 06, 2023, 10:30:31 am »
Great bit of sleuthing Rich!
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"Information is not knowledge, Knowledge is not wisdom, Wisdom is not truth, Truth is not beauty, Beauty is not love, Love is not music: Music is THE BEST...   
Wisdom is the domain of the Wis (which is extinct). Beauty is a French phonetic corruption of a short cloth neck ornament currently in resurgence..."
F. Zappa ... by way of Mary, the girl from the bus.

RichSteamTx

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Re: The Last Empire Unicorn: Electric Battery Engine B-44
« Reply #10 on: December 06, 2023, 10:57:03 am »
Seems the New York Library has done a bit of scanning but the years for 1933~38 are not full scans.  I don't know if that means they are still working on them, I hope so.  Boy's Life has some Empire ads but once you get into the 40s they only Ad is their Lamp they made - I think @txlabman has one of those.  I sent in a query about their scans for the years I am looking but they might not be helpful since I am in Texas (thus no Library Card).

I guess I should add that full Empire catalog here too.
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Richard

RichSteamTx

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Re: The Last Empire Unicorn: Electric Battery Engine B-44
« Reply #11 on: December 26, 2024, 07:16:20 pm »
Well one finally came up on eBay, though it wasn't listed as a Empire B-44 but "Vintage Unidentified Battery Powered Engine ? For Parts or Repair".  While it appears to be complete, it is a bit rusty.  Operational status, unknown.

Now I just need them to get it shipped to me and for it to arrive!

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Richard

RichSteamTx

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Re: The Last Empire Unicorn: Electric Battery Engine B-44
« Reply #12 on: December 31, 2024, 06:30:25 pm »
The Last Empire Unicorn has been found & it runs!  Amazing!

See post of videos here!
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Richard

txlabman

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Re: The Last Empire Unicorn: Electric Battery Engine B-44
« Reply #13 on: January 02, 2025, 03:38:51 pm »

BTW: there is one more unicorn that I found a couple months ago.  A really interesting engine marked with the Empire Patent No.  Hopefully, I will get around to making a video of it soon.

Right now, our house is in a state of construction due to a water leak in our slab foundation right before Christmas.

Hand scraped hardwood floors in the Kitchen, Breakfast Room, Dining Room, Hall Entry and Family Room are being demoed today. 
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RichSteamTx

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Re: The Last Empire Unicorn: Electric Battery Engine B-44
« Reply #14 on: January 02, 2025, 04:01:35 pm »
That sucks about the house, hope insurance is taken care of it!

Another empire model that I don’t know about? You’re killing me – I thought I only didn’t have the B–39 and the work shop. You got any pictures you can send me or a model number?
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Richard
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