Wilesco
Company type | GmbH & Co. KG |
---|---|
Industry | Toys and metal goods |
Founded | 1912[1] |
Founder | Wilhelm Schröder Ernst Wortmann[1] |
Headquarters | , Germany |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Philip Schröder (CEO)[2] |
Products | Mainly toy steam engines and accessories |
Website | wilesco.de |
Wilesco is the trade name of German toy company Wilhelm Schröder GmbH & Co. KG, known for manufacturing live steam toys such as steamrollers, traction engines, stationary steam engines, and numerous accessories such as countershafts and drive models.
Initially a producer of aluminium forks and spoons, the company expanded into miniature aluminium accessories for doll's
In 1950, Wilesco started manufacturing miniature steam engines.[4] In 1966, the D36 "Old Smokey" steamroller was introduced which has been popular among collectors and continues to be produced.[3][5]
The company also manufactures various accessories for their steam engines such as electrical generators, steam workshops and fairground rides.
The company still manufactures a range of plastic and aluminium scoops and hooks, as well as steam toys.
Wilesco's main rival is the British-based steam model manufacturer: Mamod. Mamod and Wilesco produce similar models, at similar prices and size range.
Gallery
-
D3, one of the lowest-priced Wilesco engines
-
A running Wilesco D6
-
Wilesco D16; 1970s (colours not original)
-
Wilesco D161 (same engine as D16, but with workshop)
-
A 1970s twin-cylinder D32
-
"Old Smokey" D36 steamroller (1980s)
-
Closeup view of the steam cylinder and safety valve of "Old Smokey"
-
D366, an all-brass version of "Old Smokey"
-
Wilesco D40 model steam traction engine - front view
See also
References
- ^ ISBN 978-0-7478-0313-3.
- ^ "Impressum | Wilesco".
- ^ a b "Wilesco".
- ISBN 3-409-12443-8.
- ^ "Old Smoky D365 Model red/green". Archived from the original on 2021-01-21. Retrieved 2023-10-14.
- ^ "Drive models for steam engines". Archived from the original on 2021-01-16. Retrieved 2023-10-14.
- ^ "Dampfmaschinen online kaufen". Wilesco Shop.
- ^ "Ministeam: The Great Toy Steam Company - Wilesco Mamod Jensen Steam Enignes". www.ministeam.com.
External links
- Official German site
- Official USA site
- Wilesco Factory Tour on YouTube
- Wilesco models picture gallery
- ToySteamBible.org: Wilesco