What did you end up ordering Ben?
What did you end up ordering Ben?
THIS!
My Most wanted engine is D415 kit version, Ministeam was out of stock and other vendors are 20-30% higher. Second choice was D405 also out of stock.
These are priced maybe over a Showman but I worked out a "special buy" price.
I really like the Forest green wheels, it had not occurred to me until now but if I Re-Power with D16 "Big Bore kit" and leave the big D16 flywheel stock Red with my deep green wheels the monster I have created will be Black with Red/Pine Green trim or.....Wilesco "Christmas Special Edition"!!!
Maybe Wilesco should build it to...
[ Guests cannot view attachments ]
Congratulations Ben!
That is a neat one, will be looking forward to see your surgery on it
Congratulations Ben!
That is a neat one, will be looking forward to see your surgery on it
Me to!
Unboxed and Drivers view...I am THRILLED my engine was delivered with the Slanted lug rubber tires. On promotional photos Wilesco showed smooth rubber tires with a single center groove, these are Much better looking in my opinion.
[ Guests cannot view attachments ]
And now topless....the sunshade and possibly the crane may become for sale(Or Trade) I have never really liked sunshades as I want to have full view of power plant, however I am sure that drivers appreciated sunshade on hot July/August days!
[ Guests cannot view attachments ]
Looks great "in the nude" there Ben!
I think your "sunshade" was even more appreciated as a roof, when plowing for weeks in the rain
For posterity.....less than two months
[ Guests cannot view attachments ]
For posterity.....less than two months
(Attachment Link)
Now that's funny , but oh so true. For those of us that gave been around the forum(s) for awhile...we have seen the "steam bug" bite many a new member , I was such a person 10 yrs ago , I do think you may have been bitten twice though Ben.
I really like your new Wilesco TE.
I might be interested in buying the crane part if you do indeed decide to part with it.
For posterity.....less than two months
(Attachment Link)
LOL!!!.... Yep if you dug a little further into my posts I seem to recall staying I was only interested in getting "a" single "stationary" engine as well...it "only" took 2 months for a mobile to slip under my door!!
I have always loved miniature mechanisms and engines so a mini steam that I can modify for performance its like Kryptonite...I am powerless to resist!
My brother received an Old Smokey around 1973 so it is only 4 years younger than me...he dug It out the other day and other than slight discoloration on firebox it looks New...you don't see that kind of longevity in toys or much of anything now days. Shoot, I think it was maybe Nick and some others possibly steamed some engines North of 100 years young in our recent online steam table show...I always thought model steam engines where expensive, but cost per year of service is not to bad! Well, I never had much trouble justifying toys I want
For posterity.....less than two months
(Attachment Link)
Now that's funny , but oh so true. For those of us that gave been around the forum(s) for awhile...we have seen the "steam bug" bite many a new member , I was such a person 10 yrs ago , I do think you may have been bitten twice though Ben.
I really like your new Wilesco TE.
I might be interested in buying the crane part if you do indeed decide to part with it.
Here is the crane still factory sealed....I have to admit the Traction Engine was the main "Event" tonight.
I did find a thread talking about the issues with Wilesco design Crane....I had a simple design worked out in my head that would remove the springs in the chain lines and retain the crane turning with steering feature...after viewing a couple photos from the thread of(full size) I remain unsure if it is proper to have the crane turn with stearing, it would make the crane more maneuverable but in real life would put tremendous strain on the steering gear train...I will post the photos from the thread but others may know if the boom should only offer up/down and the Engine must be moved to position the load?
I am on the fence about crane sale mostly because I want to help fund a D16 power supply...Bruce, you will be first to know if the crane comes to market! [ Guests cannot view attachments ]
Based on this photo I would say the boom is fixed and you get up/down on the main cable and must "drive" the engine to position the load....?
[ Guests cannot view attachments ]
Yes , I assume the boom would nearly always be fixed ,except for a few circumstances , and with light loads, the tractor would almost assuredly upset without having the ballast of the the tractor offsetting the load on the crane.
I broke "First Paint" and she is not yet under my roof 6 hrs. Most everyone knows black is beautiful but my photo with the crane still in package helped me realize the front is really dark such that the Wilesco logo is nearly invisible on this model.
A few minutes cautious block sanding loaded with 800 grit got me this effect...the nice part about black canvas is small metal bits are more noticeable. The lighting is poor so in case the photo does not show it the logo now shows thru as yellow brass.
[ Guests cannot view attachments ]