Billerbahn Plastic Steam locos

 

550 Plastic Steam loco

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.

 
early version as of 1962

1. 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 as above - however now having bowed piston rods

2. Version ab 1966

early version as of 1962

1. Version: 

flat switch, NO reinforcement between the chimney and the upper front lamp, bowed piston rods

Version 2 b: 

as described as above - with a longer cogwheel switch

latest version of the 550

 

"longer cogwheel switch" and genuine glue-fixed roof

Switches in comparison

verklebtes Dach

 

The combinations 1. flat switch and reinforcement and 2. NO reinforcement and cogwheel switch are not to my knowledge concerning the clockwork versions

 
"esbi" Passenger Set
what does "esbi" stand for ? 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 industrial engine ?
 
 ESBI-Lok mit Lieferkarton 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

 
Both to this set belonging Passenger Wagons were delivered on a display cardboard. Der erste ESBI Wagen mit Aufsteller
 
Der 2te ESBI Wagen mit Aufsteller und Schiene The text of both cardboards was different.

And obviously at least 1 piece (possibly 2 pieces) of straight track was included as well

 
the 1550 steam loco

 

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 ...
differences btw chimney and lamp
 
The 1550 in its first version had the old brass-motor and straight piston rods
the old Bühler brass-engine piston rod
 
... as well with cogwheel switch plus reinforcement. reinforcements emphasized
 
Versions of this model are known to have the "long" switch as well.
 
the 2nd version has the newer silver-coloured motor and curved piston rods
the newer engine curved piston rod
 
1550 having a black chassis now showing a 1550-2 having a black chassis
 
1550 -2 in original blister pack in the Original Blister
 
electrical clockwork And again something very Biller-typical: an electric clockwork Loco.

Each expert will allege that this one is self-made - but I acquired it as shown here. Appears in absolute mint condition, blank contacts and none of the screws has 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: Christmas 2015