I found a photo of this early D4, I am told it was made in 1950, I know some do not care for how small the boiler is for running on steam, however I have found small steam engines can be quite delightful running on aquarium pump.
Maybe this one is quite rare? I only remember seeing one old style D4 on eBay recently and it was not this old, I am trying to get a feel for what a D4 this old might be worth in today's market?
The smooth black boiler house with the simple chimney mount plus the loop style rod all make this an interesting variant to me.
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Jan can certainly say a lot about the little machine. With my modest knowledge, I suspect that it is one of the first D4 machines produced by Wilesco. 1950 is therefore very likely.
I may have to settle for building myself a replica, from what I can see finding one of these may be quite difficult.
One should never give up hope. Maybe with a lot of patience. Nothing is impossible.
One should never give up hope. Maybe with a lot of patience. Nothing is impossible.
Very true, I found out the D4 in this thread was purchased in 2017 for 65 Euros, so that gives me a little hope.
Here is the front view of same engine (missing burner tray)
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Agree with Jürgen on the vintage.
If entirely original (which i personally don´t doubt it is, having just the pictures here to go by) this would be the very first variation of a Wilesco.
In fact so old that it could be considered a transistion engine from the WGL/HGL era, having that smooth black firebox and low smokestack support.
As far as dedicating time to search for another, i personally wouldn´t bother...
To my experience engines this rare is nearly impossible to hunt down, they only tend to come served on a platter by Lady Luck when one least expect it.
Makes you want to believe in fairies.
I will not devote a great deal of time actively looking for this rare model, however I am greatful to now know a bit more about it...just in case a silver platter comes along with a rare engine on it, I can make a more educated offer.