Plastic Steam Locos

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.

1st 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 on the left - however now having bowed piston rods


2nd Version: cogwheeled switch, reinforcement between the chimney and the upper front lamp, bowed piston rods		Version 2 b: as described as above - with a longer cogwheel switch and bowed piston rods


"longer cogwheel switch" and genuine glue-fixed roof


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

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


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.		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 ...


The 1550 in its first version had the old brass-motor and straight piston rods


... as well with cogwheel switch plus reinforcement.		Versions of this model are known to have the "long" switch as well.


the 2nd version has the newer silver-coloured motor and bowed piston rods


now showing a 1550-2 having a black chassis		1550 -2 in original blister pack


Experts may allege that the ones listed below are possibly self-made - but I acquired both Locos as shown here.

In January 2024, the first version of the locomotive showed up with a brass motor, flat switch and smooth piston rods. Axle Covers made of left-over 1015 Tender-Tins. The Price-Tag of 4,75 Deutsche Mark could not belong to his loco.


This locomotive, shown here previously, with the later silver motor, cogwheeled Switch and bowed piston rods - makes an absolutely new impression, absolutely bare contacts, none of the screws have 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: April 2024