Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

I was fortunate enough to add today the tiny L-S LOC Stationary engine to my small collection. Serial Number : 102. It is the nickel plated version, which I personally prefer. As you know the vast majority of the machines that brand made were usually golden plated.

I have a few miniature engines in my collection and like the L-S LOC Rocket train, the L-S LOC traction engine, and the Holzapfel Little Willy TE, the little plant is in brand new, never fired condition. And somehow, that is a bit frustrating because I consider that if they made it to me in that pristine condition I feel obliged to preserve them and someday transmit them to someone who will decide what he does with them…
 
I know that these are not the prestigious, fascinating and realistically working machines but they do have their own charm. They could almost be used as charms by the way
 
For well documented information about this engine (and so many others) please have a look at Roly’s outstanding website.
http://rolywilliams.com/L-S%20Loc%20Mini%20Steam%20Engine.html



George



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Merci beaucoup Raphael,

You are right, not only they do not take too much space but also you could almost keep your collection hidden in a secret drawer at home, rising therefor the WAF (wife acceptance factor)

In that charming category of micro models there are others that are worth mentioning : the Lutz Hielscherand TE and the "Little Willy" from Holzapfel.

The last picture shows the size of the Wolzapfel compared to the "huge" Mercer.

George
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Thanks a lot for the precisions !!
It is well worth investigating as there virtually no information available.

I was in contact lately with Michael Holzapfel who took over his father's business with his wife. I was asking about some historical background.
It seems to me that the Holzapfel Little Willy has been produced in fewer examples than the L-S LOC traction Engine.

Your picture showing it at the side of your Minnie is wonderful.

I noticed this morning that Holzapfel rejuvenated their website which has a way more modern look now.

Thanks Bob,

That is exactly it. Collecting also means preserving and then transmitting.

Sometimes you realize that LS LOC knew their models would not be played rather only displayed. Hence the quite luxury mahogany display box.




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Hi Gil,

Thanks for commenting.
Yes by browsing through the forums I got to know about the stationary plant going to Nick.

I saw his video of the traction engine.
The best videos I saw until now are from Rob who is another miniatures fanatic. I know that he comes here from time to time.

He steamed the Hielscher, Holzapfel (old and new model) and of course the L-S LOC TE.

Bonjour Raphael,

As my machines are unfired I left them in their untouched condition but my enthusiasm got amplified when I discovered Rob's channel on Youtube.
He managed to take the very best videos ever for machines that you otherwise almost never see steamed. Let me give you a few examples

The Lutz Hielscher



The Lutz Hielscher Again



LS LOC Traction Engine



LS LOC Traction Engine again, gorgeous video !



Again : beautiful little machine !



Another one. Who is going to pretend that these models were ONLY designed to remain on a shelf and were poor runners ?



The Little Willy (Holzapfel). I have been searching like hell to see this one running.



Current model from Holzapfel



HO Chinese train. Actually, except of the official video from the maker, this is the only one I got to see. Rob faced real challenges before
being able to have it working properly



Very nice one where he is testing the LS LOC Burner



And many, many, others !

Check his channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjidYkQA9d58LWH0syeTFKA/videos

George