Arcade ca. 1902 Cast Iron No. 102 Train *SOLD*

Arcade Cast Iron Train No. 102 circa 1902

At first this is a plain-jane train with an aged nickel finish.  -Small humble.  However when digging deep, it represents some incredible history and is a survivor of one of the FIRST Arcade train sets made.   Arcade was founded in Freeport, ILL in 1885, however mostly did cast iron and steel products for the home.  Only in this early 1900’s time frame did they delve into toys, the famous Arcadian toy lines that we revere today.

Train set “A” is offered for sale and number 102 which just had a single car in the package.  Then added to the set are two Harris nickel plated cars.  I would like to imagine that they were added by the kid when extra allowance permitted.  Fantasy, but just consider the two extra cars a bonus, as the core of the set are the arcade Train with tender and the following car.  Note the hole on the engine for a pull string.

Please note that the actual number 150 is what Arcade made versus the catalog tender number.  Cast Iron Trains by Rick Ralson notes this same difference.

Date: Approximately 1902

Material: Cast Iron

Company:  Arcade

Size: As shown with ruler.

Country of Origin: USA

Condition: Original with a muted Nickel plating and light corrosion as expected. One of the harris cars has missing casting by the upper windows as shown.

Notes: These early Arcade trains don’t survive; great history.

A brief history of Arcade Manufacturing Company of Freeport, Illinois:

The Arcade Manufacturing Company of Freeport, Illinois was originally founded as Novelty Iron Works by Edward H. and Charles Morgan in 1868, and conducted business in two small buildings with a staff of ten people.

The company operated between the years 1868 to 1946. They began making toys and coffee mills and then moved to a new site in 1893 (after fires, financial issues, and changing their name from Novelty Iron Works). 

Arcade toy catalogs appear to start at 1902 and as late as 1939. Arcade`s toy line included over 300 toy items. Yellow Cab was their first successful toy followed by Andy Gump in 348 and Chester Gump in His Pony Cart. Arcade also made toy banks, doll house furniture, and cast-iron penny toys.