Mystery locomotives

[ianmacc]

I acquired these two attractive little locomotives as part of a job lot and was just curious whom the manufacturer is. They are 00 gauge. The red livery with British rail double arrow is a work of fiction of course! I expected them to have two speeds of 100mph and stopped but they are actually comparable to the Hornby offerings of the 1980s. They are of foreign prototype. 
 

I can see potential in them for heavy remodelling into something interesting!

[Jeremy Cumberland]

They're 'Little Joes', Baltimore and Ohio C-16 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Joe_(Baltimore_and_Ohio_locomotive)), but I could not tell you who made them.

Edited September 10, 2020 by Jeremy C

[jonny777]

They appear to be little known 0-4-0 variations of the Decapod, built for an intensive commuter service on the C&HPR by BR. 

[Steamport Southport]

Porters I think.

 

I have a vague memory of one of the European manufacturers from the 1970s rather than American.

 

Lima?

 

 

 

Jason

[1466]

Aren’t these by Rivarrosi ? I recall Cyril  Freezer had one in the Modeller when I were a lad .

Edited September 10, 2020 by 1466
Typo

[laurenceb]

Possibly Life Like, they did some bits in BR livery with Hornby couplings in the 0;s

[Il Grifone]

They're not Rivarossi. These have a large motor in the cab driving the rear axle - or at least my two do.

Possibly The crosshead waggling about because of the lack of slide bars might be a clue? Life-Like (rather misnamed make) is a strong possibility).

The B&O C-16 class must be a contender for the 'Most models/prototype' award!

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Joe_(Baltimore_and_Ohio_locomotive)

 

EDIT

Possibly this one?

http://hotraincollector.com/the-little-engine-that-could-the-ubiquitous-dockside-switcher/

Edited September 11, 2020 by Il Grifone

[The Johnster]

18 hours ago, jonny777 said:

They appear to be little known 0-4-0 variations of the Decapod, built for an intensive commuter service on the C&HPR by BR. 

You would need to be a pretty intensive commuter...

 

If they run reasonably well it might be worth trying to cobble up some slide bars for them, paint them black, and use them as industrials of some sort, or use the chassis under more 'British' looking bodies.  Removing the cylinders, piston, and connecting rod might make them suitable for inside framed industrial diesels.

Edited September 11, 2020 by The Johnster

[mikeg]

I think that they may be of French origin possibly playcraft I remember something similar in KingsX models around 1985/6 but they were complete sets with a wagon and caboose. I use to visit the shop when I had to go to my company’s head office in Hammersmith from Luton on my way home.

 

regards mike 

[Joseph_Pestell]

Mehanotecnica, I think.

 

Edit: One of the US labels, may well have been Life-Like, sold Mehano stuff under their brand.

Edited September 11, 2020 by Joseph_Pestell

[Il Grifone]

This is the Rivarossi version of the C16. One of mine is the same as the middle example with the same zinc pest in the cylinder/front weight casting. She now has new cylinders from a Lima ALCO (allegedly) 0-4-0. (Italian I'm afraid - Google Translate can help) Mention is made of a Life-Like model.

 

http://www.rivarossi-memory.it/riva_loco_americane/Riva_Dockside.htm

 

Here it is!

 

http://www.procustomhobbies.com/popwin.shtml?c0433_8301.gif?433~8301~LIFE LIKE PRODUCTS~35.98~18.00~HO~Dockside switcher B&O No.98

Edited September 12, 2020 by Il Grifone
non functional link

[ianmacc]

After research and pointers from here they’re Varney. Rivarossi made the model too but the internal motor is the Varney one not the Rivarossi one. Someone linked the page identifying them a few posts up.

 

http://hotraincollector.com/the-little-engine-that-could-the-ubiquitous-dockside-switcher/

 

The Rivarossi is more detailed; also with better motion. 

 

Thanks all for the info. 

Edited September 13, 2020 by ianmacc