This photo of a minature 4-4-0 appeared on eBay. Responders on the Park Trains list opined it may have been at the Chicago RR Fair, 1948-49. It is a nice looking locomotive, but unclear if it is an actual steamer or gas-powered. Anyone know where it was and what happened to it?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Photo-CHILDRENS-TRA ... otohosting

That locomotive is a Cagney live steam 15" gauge.

I've been around Cagneys for a long time and it sure didn't look like a Cagney to me. I asked Carey Williams of Chicago who is a real wealth of knowledge for such things and his response was as follows:

The engine is believed to be made in the Denver area circa 1910 + -
and operated by the Browning Amusement Company (which had a number of
concessions at parks across the US). This engine ( one of 3 ) ran at
Riverview Park in Chicago till about the late 20/ early 30's when the
Browning engines were replaced with Wagners. This engine was rebuilt
by a gentlemen in Berywn and run at the Railroad Fair in Chicago 1948
and 9 . It may have run at Fairyland Park in Lyons in the 50's later
in was offered for sale in the late 60's current where abouts unknown.
Originally believe it was built as a 15" later rebuilt to 16" .
Cheers Carey Williams

J.R.