Wilesco R200 RS Part 2 Running

Wilesco ran production of the R200 only for a few years. This were available in stores in the period between 1958 and 1968 with very low sales, due to the fact that people was afraid of anything that had to do with "Atomic Energy", as it was associated with the Atomic Bomb. The Cold War was raging on during those days, the "Missile Crisis" and the arms race between East and West was the note of the day. Shelters to survive atomic attacks were being built in the USA and Europe in preparation for an Atomic war (and we were so close to have one!).

There was nothing wrong, in terms of functionality, safety or quality with this steam engine. These included a nice leaflet that explained, to the young scientist, how the new Atomic Plants generated electricity from the controlled fission of radioactive material.
This toy steam engines came out on the wrong period in history, so Wilesco dropped its production sooner. Atomic Energy was a subject that proved to be unpopular at the time. Other toy companies also released their own versions too: Linemar (Japan) with their "Atomic Reactor" and Jensen (USA) with their Jensen style 90 "Atomic" Engine. This companies shared the same results with their "Atomic" toys.
There is also another "Atomic" style steam engine. This one is from the 70's: AB Alga John Ericsson Steam Engine from Sweden. There is a video of this rare AB Alga John Ericsson steam engines here in my channel too.
All this steam engines mentioned here, are very scarce and sought after by collectors.

Technical Specifications of the Wilesco R200 Atomic Plant steam Engine.

-Electrically heated by coil system: 220 VAC Europe and 115 VAC export versions were manufactured.
-Power consumption: 250 Watts.
-Steam Engine is based on the Wilesco D10 platform. Stroke 16 mm., Cylinder Diameter 9 mm., Flywheel 70 mm.

By design, the boiler is just a tank/reservoir (inside the cooling tower). Steam is produced by a coil inside the middle tower (heat exchange tower) and works exactly as a coffee maker, making that characteristic gurgling sound. Because of this design, there is always going to be water left in the water tank (around 50 ml) making this tank prone to dezinc. This situation is aggravated by the fact that the tank is built with very thin brass, not copper as it should, since water is left in there as part of normal operation. It is therefore recommended to drain the water tank after each use in order to preserve it.
To simulate the steam going out the top of the cooling tower, Wilesco releases the exhausted steam from inside this tower. After each use it is also recommended to dry clean the cooling tower covers and dry the area under the boiler/water deposit well. Otherwise it will rust in a few years.

Once or twice a year, one of this engines show up on eBay. They sell very expensively and, as a general rule, these are missing the heat exchange tower round cap/cover and the centrifugal governor. Many are missing the whistle/steam regulator handle (as it was in my case), with cooling tower covers full of rust and some are even sold without these covers or missing. It is also very common to find the water tanks with their bottom end caps plagued with dezinc.

Definitively this toy was designed by Wilesco not meant to last more than a few years of use. It is only a toy, but many have survived more than 50 years!
This steam engines represent an era that changed our history so dramatically that they deserve to be preserved for future generations to come. -Rob.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Wilesco R200
• Wilesco Atomic Steam Engine
• Wilesco Atomic Plant

[SH1974]

Usually, I love to see those machines run

instead to stand in the display case.

But this one, I'm not sure.

Damned is that model well preserved!! Is there anywhere some rust? Never seen such a machine in this perfect condition! I hope You'll treat this bijoux, like it deserves to be treaten.

Congrats!

[Robertosala1]

@SH1974 Thank you. Yes it had some rust under the 4 base corners. Had been cleaned.

The boiler had dezinc in its lower end cap and was replaced by a copper end cap a friend of mine made for me.

It is in being loved and kept in a glass cabinet. Lots of work repairing it and Tender Loving Care (TLC) in this beautiful machine.Translated the manual from Ger to Eng. It makes an analogy with the engine explaining how a real Atomic pwr station works.

[SH1974]

@Robertosala1 It's nice to know, this machine is in good hands.

Altough I don't really aim to own such a model once (*), it is nice to see that they are still alive and loved.

(* I'm aiming for a well preserved D32, anytime when it crosses my way.. I do own a D3 and a D21, see in my channel.)

HAVE FUN WITH YOUR WILESCO(S)!

[Robertosala1]

@SH1974 The big majority of my steam engines came under such poor conditions and had been fully restored. That is the only way I could have afforded them. Look at the other videos in my channel.. Specially the little Fleischmanns and Jensen 10-1951.

D32 is Wilesco's Flag ship. Good luck in obtaining yours.

[Robertosala1]

Yes, thanks for your comment.

Not too many people is into miniature steam engines :( so they are not too popular.

But thanks.

Rob.

[neyway]

That's so awesome. you should have more more views.