www.Billerbahn.com proudly presents the most probably first ever built 

Biller Live Steam Loco

 

During at our stay at my parents home for the Bremen Euromodell 2002 Toy Exhibition a thought was born: How about a Biller live steam loco? After a short time of hesitation my father finally said "OK - I'll try it".  First he had some reservations concerning the compact design of a Biller model - up to then my father had built "only" gauge IIm / G (Lehmann Garden Rail) models - according to own thoughts and according to pictures, e.g. a sugar cane plantation loco as known from Jamaica or Cuba. And now he has built the first live steam drive into a Biller Loco.

Thank you, Dad

 

The loco in detail

 

 

the boiler and the steam cylinder The old Biller chassis - incl. some additional holding points for the boiler, drive and cabin

 
the boiler already fits onto the chassis

 
now incl. the cabin ... ... and in between a gauge 0 layout where usually a spirit heated Bowman loco "run its circles"

 

Roll-out under steam took place on JAN 05th, 2003  - and the engine arrived at its home station on MAR 30th, 2003 - and immediately made some circles on my layout. 6 ml spirit and 11 ml water set the loco within 3 min. under steam. The endurance is roughly 5 min. - towing two 2-axle wagons (001 or 501). On the video to be downloaded you can properly see the steam development at the smokestack.

 

now showing the implied water kettles - piston and coupling rods still missing

now incl. piston and coupling rods

jetzt auch mit angedeutetem Wasserkasten

Since the distance between the axles had to be changed the original piston and coupling rods had to be replaced. The original piston rod is now used as coupling rod - the piston rod is self-made - of a 2mm stainless bike spoke. The original plastic steam cylinders were replaced by a similar "tube" made of brass. Works as well.  

 

engines' front ... ... and the rear

Live-action

Final version - with black cabin

3 Min 40 sec .mp4 HD-file (without Sound)

final version with black cabin
generated: JAN-10-2003 last update: Christmas 2013