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Author Topic: New Find: Large Plank Steam Plant  (Read 919 times)

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New Find: Large Plank Steam Plant
« on: October 18, 2022, 04:16:07 pm »
I'm back at the semiannual Train Collector's Association pre-shows, known as "Bandit Meets." These non-sanctioned meets are held in a couple of hotels in York in the days preceding the official show, which runs Thursday through Saturday in April and October. The stuff for sale is mostly toy trains, however, inside one of the hotels I found this large Plank engine. I don't think it was ever fired. There is no soot under the boiler. I do not have my reference books with me so someone will have to help with identification. The engine looks complete and should work after some cleaning, repairs, etc. The pressure gauge is present but the face is missing.

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Re: New Find: Large Plank Steam Plant
« Reply #1 on: October 18, 2022, 06:51:49 pm »
I could never understand where the safety valve should be on these engines; I got the makings of a two cylinder one somewhere.
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Re: New Find: Large Plank Steam Plant
« Reply #2 on: October 18, 2022, 07:53:37 pm »
Wow!! What a nice find!
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Nick

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Re: New Find: Large Plank Steam Plant
« Reply #3 on: October 18, 2022, 08:02:18 pm »
A fantastic super rare Plank in excellent condition with riveted boiler, congratulations Jim. Please allow me to suggest a professional restoration by Brent (Parallelmotion).
Walter, I believe the spring loaded pressure gauge also works as a safety valve.
I will share picture later or Jim can take a picture of his pressure gauge stem showing the spring.
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Re: New Find: Large Plank Steam Plant
« Reply #4 on: October 18, 2022, 08:05:44 pm »
Quote from: Damnfmaschine on October 18, 2022, 06:51:49 pm
I could never understand where the safety valve should be on these engines; I got the makings of a two cylinder one somewhere.
I believe it is built into the stem of the pressure gauge

Oops, Mike beat me to it!  :D
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Nick

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Re: New Find: Large Plank Steam Plant
« Reply #5 on: October 18, 2022, 08:09:34 pm »
Quote from: Nick on October 18, 2022, 08:05:44 pm
Quote from: Damnfmaschine on October 18, 2022, 06:51:49 pm
I could never understand where the safety valve should be on these engines; I got the makings of a two cylinder one somewhere.
I believe it is built into the stem of the pressure gauge

Oops, Mike beat me to it!  :D

Nick, you’re an expert as well. These original Plank pressure gauges are very rare; very few survived.
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Re: New Find: Large Plank Steam Plant
« Reply #6 on: October 18, 2022, 08:13:28 pm »
A very nice plant Jim , you may want to check where the steam line goes into the boiler , solder joint looks loose. Looking forward to it in steam. 😀
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Bruce, St. Paul Indiana, USA
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Re: New Find: Large Plank Steam Plant
« Reply #7 on: October 18, 2022, 08:20:21 pm »
This is a magnificent find and in great condition... CONGRATS...!!!

Gil
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Re: New Find: Large Plank Steam Plant
« Reply #8 on: October 18, 2022, 08:31:22 pm »
Not knowledgeable about its rarity, but I can say for certain that it seems a fine machine and I like it a whole lot!

CONGRATULATIONS on a great find!!!
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Re: New Find: Large Plank Steam Plant
« Reply #9 on: October 19, 2022, 01:08:54 am »
Wow, congrats on the find if this rarity
a wonderful nice antique beauty in a super condition and patina!
I would not touch it too much - only bring it back to
function.
Arnold :D
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Re: New Find: Large Plank Steam Plant
« Reply #10 on: October 19, 2022, 05:10:19 am »
Just found a similar one - same motor different Boiler
Yours probably Plank No. 220 from 1910?
Arnold

https://www.antiktoystore.de/de/blechspielzeug/uralte-ernst-plank-liegende-dampfmaschine-nuernberg-um-1910#lg=1&slide=0

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Re: New Find: Large Plank Steam Plant
« Reply #11 on: October 19, 2022, 05:44:20 am »
Thanks for the comments everyone. Bruce, the steam line is loose on both ends but that should not be too difficult a repair. Arnold, this plant is similar to the one you posted but larger. It is at least 18 inches square at the base, the boiler almost 5 inches in diameter and the flywheel about  6 inches. I did think that the gauge was also the safety. Thanks to all for confirming. Here are a few more photos. Look at the size of the burner! (BTW I paid $950 for it!)

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Re: New Find: Large Plank Steam Plant
« Reply #12 on: October 19, 2022, 07:50:43 am »
Quote from: Maxwell on October 18, 2022, 08:02:18 pm
A fantastic super rare Plank in excellent condition with riveted boiler, congratulations Jim. Please allow me to suggest a professional restoration by Brent (Parallelmotion).
Walter, I believe the spring loaded pressure gauge also works as a safety valve.
I will share picture later or Jim can take a picture of his pressure gauge stem showing the spring.
Thanks for that nice bit of information Mike; now that I look closely at Jim’s photos I can see the relief hole in the Manometer stem.
Cheers also Nick.
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Re: New Find: Large Plank Steam Plant
« Reply #13 on: October 19, 2022, 08:05:29 am »
Excellent deal Jim, it’s worth 3 to 4 times what you paid due to condition, age, rarity, and size.
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Re: New Find: Large Plank Steam Plant
« Reply #14 on: October 20, 2022, 05:24:08 am »
This photo was provided by a hobbyist on Facebook. The model in the photo appears close to my model.

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