15" Guage Crowns
Historical Data:
Crown Metal Products entered the park train industry when Ken Williams,
owner of the business, acquired a small park engine -- probably a Cagney.
Before long, he had built his first steam engine, and ultimately began producing
live-steam park engines.
Initially, Crowns were only offerd in relatively small sizes --
15" guage and 24" guage. Later, the company offered larger 36" guage engines
for several of the new theme mega-park chains.
Spotting Features:
Crown engines of all sizes are charachterized by their rather small-looking
boilers. The pony wheels of most 15" and 24" guage Crowns are ridiclously
small -- a mere 3" diameter in some cases. Most of the Crown engines attempt
to look like narrow-guage locomotives by employing an overscale cab. The
logic behind this is questionable, as even so enlarged, the cab on the original
smaller designs still provides zero protection for the engineer.
Details vary depending upon the desire of the original purchaser.
A classic "Old West"balloon stack was standard, but some engines came equiped
with diamond stacks or even straight stacks.
Crowns could be ordered to use a variety of fuels. Propane cost
extra but was popular nevertheless. The 15" guage engine could be special-ordered
as a 14" or 16" guage machine.
Technical Data:
Manufacturer: Crown Metal Products
Production dates: 1950? - 1987?
Approximate Number Built: ?
Guage: 15"
Power Source: Coal, coke, charcoal, oil, or propane-fired live
steam
Appearance: Steam
Wheel Arrangement: 4-4-0
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