Hi folks, I purchased what I think is a neat item recently and it just came in the mail today. I hope that some of our readers in this thread will take a look and give me their opinion as to who made this item. It is a sheet metal clockwork locomotive, reasonably small about 6" from the back of the cab to the tip of the cow catcher. It is definitely 0 gauge as its pictured on Lionel 3 rail track. The seller had it listed in the "Marx" trains for sale, but I recognized that it was not Marx (at least I didn't think so and still don't). When it arrived I checked it against my Gerard Model Works Joy Line sheet metal locos thinking they were the closest "sort of Marx" things I had and this loco is clearly not Joy Line. Anyway it is a bell ringer, has a mechanical brake to the motor for winding ease, and has a battery powered headlight. So it seems like it was a mid-quality locomotive when new. So here are some pictures...comments and opinions are welcome.
Here is the side view and the spoke drive wheels as opposed to simple stamped wheels gave me an indication that the maker could be Hafner. I checked the TCA Western Division fly sheet on and it did seem he made locomotives with this type wheel but the picture is so small that its hard to be definitive. The key is fixed into the motor.
Here is a front quarter view, showing the red boiler front. I believe this to be original, as it currently shows no signs of being painted but has the original red enameled finish and the tabs holding it do not appear to have been opened.
The front pilot view, quite elaborate with climbing steps to the running board and hand rails along the boiler. Two domes and the stack and bell appear to be add on items.
The rear cab view, the "T" handle is the motor brake and you can see the bell and ringer under the cab floor just above the track. The cab also contains a spring metal clip that provides the rear battery connector to turn on the headlight. The separately added stirrup cab steps are also very different from Joy Line that simply had steps embossed in the stamping under the cab windows. Its clear that originally the engine was shiny black. The rust is just smooth surface rust and in fact the patina I find pleasing. It does not appear to have caused any structural damage. The motor and "ringer" work fine as does the brake.
So there you are tinplate fans. My current guess is Hafner from about the 1920's but I am absolutely open to other suggestions and would welcome input. Thanks
Best Wishes
Don
