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

Hello, I am new to the world of model steam engines. I recently purchased an old Wilesco D5 off of eBay. It was sold untested and was told the cylinder and flywheel rotate freely, I am curious to know proper steps in getting this machine “Up and Running”. Any advice and or information about this steam engine I have purchased would be greatly appreciated, Thank you.

You want to lubricate all the moving points make sure all your fittings are tight and you wanna fill the boiler just past the halfway mark with water. I fire mine with esbit tablets.

Welcome aboard...!!!

Need some help, I did a short test run. But can’t get longer than about 50 seconds or so run time, using esbit tablets they don’t seem to be very efficient the water is already boiling when I put it in the boiler and with fresh tablets it boils very nicely producing good steam but after a minute or so the flames die down a bit and seems to stop producing a good flow of steam. Fuel issue + leakage? Or is the leak at the steam whistle enough to cause it not to run. Here is a video of the engine running
                  https://m.youtube.com/shorts/Y9ZeXHiX9Cw

Yes, the steam leak at the whistle is undesirable, but does not look to be enough to cause your engine to run down as it does. Does the Esbit flame seem to be reduced after a minute or so also? Perhaps you have some old fuel that has absorbed water from the atmosphere, though that usually isn't too serious of a problem either. Perhaps the whistle leak is actually worse than it appears and certainly should be eliminated or reduced as best as possible. The other place where steam leakage can be critical, and harder to detect, is at the port face. If the port face seal isn't very good then that could be where your boiler pressure is dissipating?!?!

BTW ..... Welcome Aboard, and I hope you get that fun little engine going to your satisfaction and delight!!!

In your video the flame looks to be more than ample I'm wondering if your throttle lever on your steam pipe is partially restricting the steam flow so it's only flowing at high pressure you might try rotating that some more Cause everything else looks OK your leakage at the whistle Doesn't appear to be that much to me.

Welcome aboard.....and we all started with just one.

Enjoy your new hobby!