Steam Locomobile D430
The Wilesco Steam-Powered Traction Engine D430
Note: This model is also available as an export version using gel fuel. No GS certification, not a toy – recommended for ages 14 and up. Collector’s item. Now available in our shop.
At the turn of the 20th century, traction engines were widely used in agriculture, especially for plowing and threshing. They could be operated stationary or moved between locations, often pulled by horses. However, they were also capable of moving themselves at speeds of 3–4 km/h.
The details of the D430 model replicate those of a typical historical engine. It features a polished brass boiler with a diameter of 55 mm and an integrated condenser chamber. Real steam exits through the chimney, which can be folded down at the center. The double-acting cylinder is equipped with two flywheels and a double drive pulley.
The D430 comes ready for steaming with two Wilesco gel fuel tablets included. For longer steam sessions, be sure to order additional fuel.
The Fascinating History of the Traction Engine
Traction engines were often used by mobile threshers—agricultural workers who offered harvesting services to farms.
Though designed primarily for stationary use, they could be moved between fields, either by horse or under their own power. They operated on low-quality fuel such as straw or scrap wood. Their quiet operation was a key advantage over noisy combustion engines.
Up to the 1960s, traction engines powered heavy stationary equipment like stone crushers or wood chippers. Eventually, tractors replaced them due to better efficiency.
Did you know…?
…that the German TÜV originated from boiler inspection associations?
Due to frequent boiler explosions in the 19th century, regional inspection organizations were founded—one famous incident occurred in 1865 in a Mannheim brewery. These groups eventually became what is now known as the TÜV.
Spare Parts
