Unknown Engine

Can anyone help me to identify this engine? It has no manufacturer's name and the only identification present is a number 55.365/1 stamped on the inside of the base (see image 5).

Sam, some indication of size would be handy, perhaps a 6" rule along side.

Ian S C

Thanks Ian, I have added a couple of new pics with a ruler in place.

Sam

Hello Sam. The following has been written by my son, Edward, who recognised this engine inside a few seconds.

"You have the engine unit from a German toy steam engine, made between the late twenties and late thirties by Doll. Originally it would have sat on a tin base with a horizontal boiler. The reference number underneath is correct: model 365, size 1. They ranged from size 1 to size 4, which had a 6" flywheel and sat on a base 23" by 18".

There were two versions of the engine, one had a single piston valve and both cranks going round together like a Triumph parallel twin; the other (like yours) has two piston valves and quartered cranks. The Walschaerts valve gear isn't original, its unusually complicated for a modification to a toy."

Mike Potts.

Hello Mike

Many thanks for this, would you pass on my thanks to your son for such a comprehensive response. I will now have to do a bit more digging with a view to getting it up and running but I have a really good starting point thanks to your post.

Happy Christmas

Sam

The wonders of the web - now we know the maker you can find it 0n youtube, amazing.

**LINK**

I wasn't thinking along those lines, I was thinking it as much bigger. A good find.

Ian S C