Untested Lionel USA Diecast Locomotive, Late 1940s

• Circa - A Latin term meaning 'about', often used in the antique trade to give an approximate date for the piece, usually considered to be five years on either side of the circa year. Thus, circa 1900 means the piece was made about 1900, probably between 1895 and 1905. The expression is sometimes abbreviated to c.1900.
• Diecast - The toy is made by by pouring molten metal into a closed metal die or mould. The first metal used was a lead alloy, but the finsihed product was very soft and broke easily, and was replaced with an alloy of zinc mixed with small amounts of aluminium and copper.

This item has been included into following indexes:

• toy and model trains and railways, manufacturers - Lionel 34