Here’s a neat opportunity to step into a time machine! Well, not really, but here at Trainz we’re often hit with a blast from the past with unique items that sometimes do make us feel like it’s 1925 and not 2023. Well earlier this week, we were able to get a very nice vintage piece in the Weeden Dart Steam Set. At first glance, I thought this to be just another ‘run of the mill’ Post-War set, but after some investigating, I’d quickly realize this set isn't a Post-war piece, nor was it even a Pre-War set. Yeah, this steam set goes all the way back to the 19th century, like before Marklin 19th century . With formal introductions out of the way, let’s dive into the Weeden Dart Steam Set!
Weeden Steam: 1st to the Party
Founded in the late 19th century by William Nye Weeden, Weeden Steam would find itself in a “get it done now” position when a magazine publication called ‘The Youth’s Companion’ approached William Weeden for a special order of toys that they could feature in an effort to increase their exposure to the mass market. The first design for an upright steam engine would be released in 1884 dubbed the “Weeden Steam Engine” proving to be an almost immediate success at its presentation, Youth’s Companion would place an order for $10,000 worth of upright steam engines – an order that would be worth a littler over $300,000 in 2023! Going forward from the upright steam engine, Weeden would begin to develop more detailed full body stationary steam engines. It wouldn’t take long before Weeden would try his hand at a model that was meant for more than display, and got cracking on his first powered model – The Dart Steam Set.
Wheels Start Rolling With the Dart Steam Set
In 1888, William Weeden would see the fruits of labor come to fruition in grand fashion. The Weeden Steam Dart set would hit production, making it the first piece from Weeden that would break the stationary trend, and introduce a motor. Running on 2 3/16” gauge track, a version of track slightly smaller than standard gauge, the Dart Steam Set would be one of the first early examples of a ready to run set that we see so often with modern model train products. The early design of the Dart Steam locomotive was simple; boasting a single cylinder in the motor, a steel boiler, and a 3-wick burner. Later Weeden Dart Sets would feature upgrades and improvements to the early designs, some of which are detailed on the table seen below.
The Dart Steam set would gain popularity fairly quickly beating out more established manufacturers like Marklin, who didn’t release their first mass produced products until 1891 to the market. This was a great leap forward for Weeden Steam who just four short years earlier was producing smaller upright steam engines for just $1! The Dart Steam Set would become a favorite in American households with parents dubbing the locomotive the “dribbler” because of the steam and water that would spew all over the floors of the households they were running in. Weeden Steam would establish a massive foothold in the model railroad market after the introduction of the Dart set that enjoyed a production run from 1888 finally ending in 1918. While William Weeden would see the first production run of the Dart Steam Set hit the market, he unfortunately would not get to see later models of the sets release due to his passing in 1891. Ownership would be taken over by William Richie, a former salesman for Weeden Steam who would head the company until his death in 1939, after which Richie’s son William B. Richie would assume control in 1942 before eventually selling the company altogether in 1952. After the sale most of Weeden Steam would be dissolved with the remaining units sitting in storage before being scrapped altogether.
The Impact of a Pioneer!
Despite the days of Weeden Steam long being gone; the impact of the company can still be felt throughout the model railroad community. Weeden Steam and the Weeden Dart Steam Set ultimately go down as trailblazers, allowing for giants like Lionel and MTH to take the model train industry to unprecedented heights and popularity during the 20th and 21st centuries. For now, we’ll pay homage to one of the originators of model railroading, Weeden Steam – thanks for showing us how far our industry and community have come. If you’d like to check out the early model Weeden Steam Dart Set that we currently have, you’ll be able to see the product here. In addition to this early model locomotive set, we also have a ton of vintage Pre-War sets on our website at Trainz.com, and for all of you that are now discovering your love for vintage Weeden products, you'll be able to find those items here as we continue to expand our collection!
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