Weeden Toy Steam Engine

Weeden Toy Steam Engine

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Description (Brief)
This toy steam engine was manufactured by the Weeden Manufacturing Company of New Bedford, Massachusetts from 1894 until the 1940s. The first six Weeden toy steam engine models were all very similar in style, making it difficult to differentiate them. While this engine is similar in style to the Weeden engine no. 1, it is probably Weeden engine no. 3 as evidenced by the taller firebox and boiler when compared to the two previous models. The vertical toy steam engine consists of a firebox, boiler, and slide valve engine attached to a wheel.
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.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
toy, steam engine and boiler
date made
1885
Measurements
overall: 9 in x 4 1/8 in; 22.86 cm x 10.4775 cm
overall: 9 1/8 in x 4 1/8 in; 23.1775 cm x 10.4775 cm
ID Number
MC.328942
catalog number
328942
accession number
278175
Credit Line
Bequest of the Estate of Greville I. Bathe
See more items in
Work and Industry: Mechanical and Civil Engineering
Family & Social Life
Engineering, Building, and Architecture
Engineering Steam Toys and Models
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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