The Weeden Manufacturing Company of New Bedford, Massachusetts manufactured the Weeden model number 12 toy steam engine from 1890 until 1906. This toy steam engine features dual horizontal boilers and dual horizontal slide valve engines connected to a single flywheel. The dual engines are offset so one engine is pushing the flywheel at each time. A simulated brickwork metal firebox surrounds the two boilers, and the metal housing around the flywheel is made to look like brickwork as well. The entire engine is mounted on a metal plate.
The Weeden Manufacturing Company was founded in New Bedford, Massachusetts by William M. Weeden in the early 1880s, originally producing a variety of tinplate household items. In 1884 it introduced the Weeden No. 1 Steam engine as “a new and great premium for boys” who were subscribers to the Youth’s Companion magazine. Weeden made over a hundred different models of toy steam engines until the company ceased operations in 1952.
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