Can Anyone ID this Clockwork Engine?

This was made by Unique Arts around 1950 or so.

That is the most rusted one I have ever seen.

You can see one on eBay auction number  304346494635

I've seen the term 'clockwork' several times on OGR, and never understood what was being talked about.  Thanks for the pic!

Yep Unique Arts .... and Yep that's about the most roached one I have ever seen

It should look something like ...

Fatman,

Wow, thanks.  That was quick.  Thought it was a Marx. Plan on having a friend sandblast it and fix the spring.

Did some research, seems they were made in my hometown, Newark NJ. Cool.

http://www.tcawestern.org/unique.htm

@texgeekboy posted:

I've seen the term 'clockwork' several times on OGR, and never understood what was being talked about.  Thanks for the pic!

Many times they are called "wind up" trains.

@CSXJOE posted:

Plan on having a friend sandblast it and fix the spring.

Why?

So I don't get tetanus  😄

I would simply throw it away.

Fixing the spring will likely do nothing, as the mechanism (gears, axles, etc.) is likely frozen with rust.  This engine is not an expensive piece and if you think you need to have one, buy a better one.  No sense in wasting time and money to fix something that is not worth repairing. 

I'd try it just for the challenge.  A good, long soak in electrolysis followed by some rust destroyer might just yield a working engine.  I've seen pics of worse looking electric locos returned to service.  A before-and-after display would be mighty impressive.  The litho is long gone, but a shiny paint job wouldn't be amiss.

It's not about the value.  It's about the challenge and the satisfaction.

People have different ways of enjoying hobbies, and I enjoying seeing all the different facets of the tinplate train hobby.  I look forward to seeing the results of the restoration effort.

Of course, I'm biased... I've been known to engage in some pretty obscure windup train projects that have little to no market value...

Sometimes the simplest things bring you great pleasure

You are certainly going to lose nothing but time and a minimal amount of $'s giving it a go !

I would be tempted to try and get the mech working and leave the body just as it is ... how cool would it be just to see that rusty beast running around .. a true Rat-Rod of the train world ... and hey if all else fails it would be a very quick and cheap fix just to buy a junker Marx electric for the running gear and do a motor transplant

@WindupGuy posted:

Wow, that is neat!

Progress so far

@WindupGuy posted:

I would like to see more of this one. It kind of reminds me of that ATSF with the bendy boiler.

Joe,

If you want to see the rest of the set and the box come over to Nick’s Trains in Raleigh.

George Lasley

Thx George.

That's it, I give up. Too far gone.  Notice the paper is for the obituaries, RIP.

You gave it a good try.

Thanks for spelling/using the word "too" correctly. You are one of the few these days. 

Holy Moley

@CSXJOE posted:

That's it, I give up. Too far gone.  Notice the paper is for the obituaries, RIP.

CSX JOE:  Noooo!  I really wanted you to save it in some form or another.  But, I understand. 

Dave (PRRMP54): I don't want to further hijack this thread, I'll start another on custom windup locos.  There might be an old thread somewhere I could resurrect, too...

Too much rust remover, spring gave up the ghost.

RIP poor little engine.  Hope you do good in your recycled next life.