Billerbahn Plastic Steam locos |
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550 Plastic Steam loco |
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This black steam engine was issued in
1962 and was the first to have a plastic superstructure. The roof was
always removable and made of plastic as well. There was no imprinted
inscription - however the Biller-B and "Made in Western Germany"
was elevated visible on the coal box. All these locos have a red
clockwork cover / engine cover. Axle cover information can be seen
here. Possibly this engine is a model of the Henschel type "Monta" engine built in 1927. This loco shown here is No. 20925 and used for PR at the MOT (technical association) Norderstedt in Germany. |
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1st Version: flat switch, NO reinforcement between the chimney and the upper front lamp, straight piston rods. The Plastic Steam Loco is known to have only the red motor cover |
Version 1
b:
as described on the left - however now having bowed piston rods |
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2nd Version: cogwheeled switch, reinforcement between the chimney and the upper front lamp, bowed piston rods |
Version 2
b:
as described as above - with a longer cogwheel switch and bowed piston rods |
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"longer cogwheel switch" and genuine glue-fixed roof |
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The combinations 1. flat switch and reinforcement and 2. NO reinforcement and cogwheel switch are not to my knowledge concerning the clockwork versions |
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"esbi" Passenger Set | |||
Now something special. A 550 having the inscription "esbi". This version has the straight piston rods. ESBI or SBI is the abbreviation for a South German Cotton factory - which itself never had a company railroad. The engine was a present to customers / retailers and delivered together with 2 red passenger coaches and a track circle - like the set 240. Issue date was the early 1970ies. | So far this loco appeared as clockwork loco only - this one having the curved piston rods | ||
esbi-engine incl. the box it was
delivered in. Still showing the original postal stamp - stamped in
Kuchen on JAN-04-1972. In this particular case both red passenger
coaches were delivered in a separate box - showing same postal details. At least one No. 1-Version (having the flat switch) is known as well. See HERE for more esbi-News |
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Both to this set belonging Passenger Wagons were delivered on a display cardboard. |
The text of both cardboards was different. And obviously at least 1 piece (possibly 2 pieces) of straight track was included as well |
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the 1550 steam loco | |||
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as described above, having a battery drive achieved by 3 AA batteries to be placed into the cabin. This version shows a flat switch without reinforcement ... | |||
The 1550 in its first version had the old brass-motor and straight piston rods | |||
... as well with cogwheel switch plus reinforcement. | Versions of this model are known to have the "long" switch as well. | ||
the 2nd version has the newer silver-coloured motor and bowed piston rods | |||
now showing a 1550-2 having a black chassis | 1550 -2 in original blister pack | ||
Experts may allege that the ones listed below are possibly self-made - but I acquired both Locos as shown here. | |||
In January 2024, the first version of the locomotive showed up with a brass motor, flat switch and smooth piston rods. Axle Covers made of left-over 1015 Tender-Tins. The Price-Tag of 4,75 Deutsche Mark could not belong to his loco. | |||
This locomotive, shown here previously, with the later silver motor, cogwheeled Switch and bowed piston rods - makes an absolutely new impression, absolutely bare contacts, none of the screws have ever been "moved" - unless for assembly. Might be worth a hobby-job - if you can place the hole at the correct position. | |||
However - since Autumn 2015 a battery driven green Diesel appeared - showing the clockwork hole as well | |||
generated: JAN-10-2003 | last update: April 2024 |