Wilesco D45...is it possible to date this engine?

IndianaRog · Wilesco D45...is it possible to date this engine?

I picked this engine up 6 months or so ago. It pre-dates the use of black plastic handle steam valves and whistles valves that came in during the past few years. It also has a darker blue metal base.

Anyone venture a guess on dating for this model???

thanks,
Rog

27ace27

I can't really help here roger, but I was wondering myself if wilesco made these or their TE's with blue cylinders.

Bugsy

I would say 1990s Rog.
But Klaus Lutz will give you a better date when he returns.
I have two, both nice runners.
Phil

johnreid

IndianaRog

Bugsy

hansdampf

Hi Rog,

if the valve thread is 6x0.75 it's past 1990, if it's 6x1mm it must be from 1975 to 1990. Before the D 45 had another chimmney and a much broader esbit slider, more looking like a shovel.

Markus

IndianaRog

Thanks Markus...I will check for the thread size with a couple of metric bolts.

cheers,
Roger

GUTMACH

There is one on ebay with the current bid around USD69 (#260496277547), there is another that might be a W45 ( #250521887489,"Made in Western Germany" is kind of a give away, right?) for around USD52. I am debating whether or not to place a bid.

What is your take on these ?

Answer to the obvious question: Yes, I want one.

Wayde

IndianaRog

Wayde, of all the Wilescos made, I have an Old Smoky roller and a vertical D45 (same as D455)...I love how both run and they are in a class of their own in my opinion.

The D45's come in 4 primary configurations as far as I can tell:
OLDER
1) nickel plated boiler with metal steam valve/whistle inerds
2) brass plated boiler with same metal parts
NEWER
3) nickel with plastic inserts for steam valve/whistle inerds
4) brass with plastic inserts for steam valve/whistle inerds

1 & 2 are obviously older and I personally like the metal valves

3 & 4 came out a few years ago with nylon-plastic valve components which work well, but are easily snapped off (mine arrived from Germany snapped off in the box!!!).

If you are shopping, look carefully at the body of the steam valve and whistle...if there is a large flat black turning part...it is the newer style. I had one of the newer ones til about 6 months ago and managed to buy the earlier example photographed above...then sold off the plastic valve type. I just don't like key parts like that made of plastic.

Incidentally, the plastic valves have been showing up in other Wilesco models in the past few years, so I guess they are here to stay.

I highly recommend the D45...you will love it!!!

Rog

BK

Has it a stamp under the base Roger?? west Germany=pre 1990.

IndianaRog

BK, it does indeed have an impressed stamp on the base...

"Made in Germany" NOT West Germany.

So should I assume it would have been made 1990 or later, but before the plastic valve parts came in around 2005?

Rog

BK