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Author Topic: 1880s toy steam engine ID and restoration  (Read 3834 times)

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1880s toy steam engine ID and restoration
« on: August 18, 2024, 03:41:05 pm »
I have had this steam engine for many years.  It belonged to my great grandfather, who was born in the 1870s.  I am guessing that this was toy he had as a boy, and probably dates from the 1880s.  It has no markings on it.  I assume that the larger hole in the top would have held a smokestack, which is obviously now missing. 

What’s interesting, is that I still have its original wooden box.  The box is also unmarked, but may have had a paper label glued to it that has long since deteriorated and fallen away. 

I’m curious if anyone can help me identify the manufacturer and model, and also looking for any advice on missing parts to help restore it. 

Much appreciated!
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Re: 1880s toy steam engine ID and restoration
« Reply #1 on: August 18, 2024, 04:29:20 pm »
Amazing to see another!! I have one posted somewhere on the forum with partial box and label that I’ll have to dig up for you in a bit…

Please no restoration to this one!!

@TEC check this out
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Nick

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Re: 1880s toy steam engine ID and restoration
« Reply #2 on: August 18, 2024, 04:54:55 pm »
Oh, I’d love to see what you have.

When I say restoration, I really mean simply making it complete.  In addition to the missing smokestack, there is another part missing from the top of the boiler that I am guessing screws into the fill hole, and maybe is where the whistle goes.  Beyond that, I want to keep it as is. 

Do you think I am correct on the era?
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Re: 1880s toy steam engine ID and restoration
« Reply #3 on: August 18, 2024, 05:26:18 pm »
There's a whole lot of WOW wrapped up in that beauty!!!

I'm with Nick on this one ..... only do a very gentle and minimal restoration on this engine!
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Re: 1880s toy steam engine ID and restoration
« Reply #4 on: August 18, 2024, 10:21:49 pm »
Totally agree with Daniel, lot of Wow factor there, I may be mistaken but I think that is a Weeden whistle shown in the photo, will be interesting to see the one Nick has as well, don't know why you guys get all the really nice stuff.  :)
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Frank C.
http://weedensteam.com
       - engine identification and parts

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Re: 1880s toy steam engine ID and restoration
« Reply #5 on: August 19, 2024, 12:51:50 am »
What a wonderful engine, as Nick and Daniel said.....please please please a VERY sympathetic restoration to this time capsule of engine history.
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Re: 1880s toy steam engine ID and restoration
« Reply #6 on: August 19, 2024, 10:51:36 am »
That's a fantastic engine!  Thanks for the  pointer @Nick. 

Here's Nick's engine.  He has a picture of the engine on his box. 
https://www.officeofsteamforum.com/collections-pictures/365-day-challenge/330/



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Re: 1880s toy steam engine ID and restoration
« Reply #7 on: August 19, 2024, 12:15:20 pm »
That’s a fascinating thread.  Based on the box illustration, it seems questionable that this engine ever had a smokestack at all.  Finding that little arm with the counter weight seems like it’s going to be a needle in a haystack.  I thought
for sure the whistle that I have must have gone on this thing somewhere, but it too doesn’t seem to be present on the illustration or the extant examples.  That seems odd.

The Smithsonian dates this piece to the early 20th century, but I seriously question that.  Based on some of the discussion in the thread, the Smithsonian‘s attribution to Peerless also seems debatable. 

A little more history on the engine…I‘ve had it for nearly 30 years.  Before that, it sat in a dark, sooty corner of an attic undisturbed for maybe 70 or 80 years.  I had an aunt who lived in the house all her life and she remembered it from when she was a little girl around 1920.  It hadn’t seen the light of day since then. All I have done with it is a gentle wash to get the layer of grime and dirt off from years in that attic. 
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Re: 1880s toy steam engine ID and restoration
« Reply #8 on: August 19, 2024, 12:58:21 pm »
When it comes to steam toys, the Smithsonian should not be relied on.  Do you have a link?

I don't know who made  your engine, but 1880 is about right.   Did  you notice the difference between your engine and Nicks?  The valve is in a different place, your flywheel is has more machining, and the cylinder castings are slightly different.  Yours matches the picture on Nick's box and so is likely an earlier version.  I've noticed that the engravings were rarely updated to reflect design changes.

I've been working on a series of three articles on early American engines.  The first of which can be found here:

https://www.toyenginecollector.com/toys/article/and-then-there-were-toys-part-1

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Re: 1880s toy steam engine ID and restoration
« Reply #9 on: August 19, 2024, 01:16:48 pm »
I followed the Smithsonian link from the thread referenced above.

I am going to study the other photos more carefully.  All of the parts you see in the pictures I posted were found in the box with the engine, so I assumed they all came with it originally.  The burner I have is also a different shape than the other example. 
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