Bidspirit auction | Wilesco Vertical Steam Engine Model

Wilesco Vertical Steam Engine Model D455 Made in West Germany - A West German stationary live steam engine featuring a vertical boiler design. The unit is constructed from tin-plate, brass, and cast metal. It features a blue painted tin-plate base and a firebox made of copper-toned embossed tin-plate designed to resemble brickwork. The vertical boiler is chrome-plated and is equipped with a water level sight glass, a safety valve whistle with a red lever, and a single-cylinder piston assembly connected to a large flywheel. The flywheel is finished in red at the center with a polished metal rim. A green cast metal frame supports the engine components. The assembly includes a slide-out fuel burner tray with a red handle. A red and white adhesive label on the blue base features the Wilesco logo in red script, and reads Made in W.-Germany. A secondary red warning sticker positioned above the burner opening reads Wasserstand beachten / Watch water level in both German and English. The underside of the base shows metal tabs used for assembly and a small area of white residue. Height: 13 inches. The chrome plating on the boiler exhibits significant oxidation, surface pitting, and dulling across its entire surface (photo 1). The blue painted base shows visible surface rust, paint loss, and scratches along the edges and corners (photo 2). The Wilesco manufacturer label is peeling at the corners and shows surface wear (photo 2). There is visible oxidation and paint chipping on the green engine support frame and red flywheel (photo 3). The interior of the firebox and the burner tray show soot accumulation and heat discoloration consistent with use (photo 2). The unit is missing the drive belt normally found on the flywheel assembly (photo 4).