Rich Art- New Worlds Discovered

Here's a comparison between the original clockwork Toonerville Trolley Floor Toy and the Rich Art electric version.




There are several interesting things to note.

   The original floor toy has wheel spacing wider than O gauge track but the wheels are thin enough and wide enough to permit the trolley to rest on the outside of the outer rails of O gauge tubular track.  Some of the original Trolleys did come equipped with flanged wheels which would permit running on track but most are floor toys like this one.

   As you can see the rear wheel on the original is mounted offset from center.  When running this makes the trolley wobble back and forth as well as up and down (in its present position the offset wheel has the trolley pitched as far forward as it can go). 

  At first glance one would think the Rich Art model would not do this, however, the axles for the wheels on the Rich Art are mounted in an offset manner so the the Rich Art trolley wobbles too.  To enhance to wobble effect on the Rich Art model the clearstory, trolley pole, and chimney are loosely mounted so that they too will wobble from side to side.  The original has these components firmly tabbed into place.

  The original skipper is a match for the scruffy cartoon strip character whereas the Rich Art skipper looks like a regular, well scrubbed, fellow.