Mike Shea There certainly is something very calming - almost natural - about a steam engine. I think it has to do with how they work; totally normal things we use every day - water and fire - combine to create power in a way that neither of those things by themselves could do. And in all of that, there’s no mystery to how it operates, everything is right there in the open, right in front of you.

@@F-Man So true. I recently retired from the railroad and over the course of a couple years I had the honor of getting to ride in the cab of the ATSF 3751 three times on it's way back to Redondo Jct. after its showing at Fullerton Railroad Days. My first cab ride was when I was called as a "pilot" to familiarize the steam crew with the signals and territory on its way back. In the link below you can hear "Larry" calling me from the cab of the 7744 informing me that he put the diesel unit in full dynamic braking so that the steam crew could push and work the steam engine under load a bit as the fireman poured sand into the firebox to clean and blow out the flues. Sadly, Larry passed away some years back from a terrible brain tumor. He was a great guy to work with throughout my career with the railroad. . kzfaq.info/get/bejne/sMiBfJt9u7vJj2Q.html

Sean McGeeney Thanks! Yes, Wilesco and a few other companies have actually been making these things for over 100 years in some cases. Some of the models are pretty sophisticated with feed water pumps, clutched drivetrains, governors, etc. I've got 2 engines, both Wilescos, and they are actually fairly capable! Steam puts out a monster amount of torque!

Ferrariman601 Yeah they're very interesting maybe I'll get into the hobby if I can afford to , they really are impressive I'm sure your proud of yours and you're certainly right about the torque of steam, sure massive steam tractors with a few dozen horsepower could outpull a modern diesel with a few hundred horsepower! That's not to put down diesel, it has it's pros against steam that's for sure

It's not a terribly expensive thing to do, unless you start going crazy with intricate setups and limited edition engines - both of my engines cost under $300 USD.

Ferrariman601 For what they are and how impressive they are that certainly is a very decent price, I will probably begin collecting them some time in the future

if you go to ministeam.com, is where i bought my Jensen number 25, they also a ton for model steam engines for sale

I use the whistle as a regulator with a cloth over it to smother the sound.

It’s actually quite similar to the D22 - same cylinder and I believe the same sized boiler as well.

Erwin 1965 I'm pleased thus far! Also, am I wrong in suspecting that the cylinder is a little bit smaller than on the D20? I don't know the exact measurements, but the 455 just doesn't quite feel as weighty when spinning it over to start.

Albert Breitfuss Thank you! The 455 and 457 are really nice little engines.

Wheelhouse _ I’m using a methanol-based gel; it’s sold as “Sterno” here. Cheap, doesn’t smoke, doesn’t leave residue; but it does burn nearly invisibly under normal light, so be careful!

Honestly, the D20 is absolutely rock solid. It’s got a larger cylinder than the 455, so it runs much more smoothly. Being a bit bigger also makes running it somewhat easier, as the fittings and controls are a bit more accessible. The twin-cylinder D22 has the same cylinders as the 455, but having them displaced by 90 degrees smooths out operation by a lot as well, and it uses the same controls and boiler as the D20, D18, D21, etc. The absolute ultimate Wilesco is probably the D32, which has 2 cylinders from the D18 or D20, plus an engine-driven feed water pump and a transmission coupled via a clutch.

Ferrariman601 Thanks for the fast reply. Does the D455 have the same boiler size as the D20 but vertical instead of horizontal? I currently have the Wilesco D14 fantastic engine! I also own a Jensen 25G and 70G steam engine. So I want something a bit bigger but really different and cool as well.

David Brown You'll want to use a specific steam oil for the cylinder, as the temperatures and moisture levels far exceed the operating tolerances of a traditional motor oil. I use Shell Valvata 460. For the other moving parts of the engine that stay relatively cool and dry, you can use a lighter grade motor oil - 5W-30 would work, 0W-20 might be better still.

Ok thanks bud! I just didn't want to wait 3 days to hear my mighty d10.

David Brown Trust me, it is worth waiting until you have the proper materials. Yes, the engine will run with no lubrication or inadequate lubrication, but it will cause damage, especially on a new engine as it will need to be run in.

Josh Kilen Thanks!

Ferrariman601 if you go to Jensens website, they are coing out with the model 50 here is the real kicker it is $5,000, here is the link www.jensensteamengines.com/commercial/main-c50.htm

About $300 US.

Ferrariman601 thanks

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