Wilesco
Encyclopedia
Wilesco is the trade name
of German toy company Wilhelm Schröder GmbH & Co. KG, known for manufacturing live steam
toys such as steamroller
s, traction engine
s, and stationary steam engine
s.
Initially a producer of aluminum forks and spoons, the company expanded into miniature aluminum accessories for doll's tea parties in the 1920s. This decision also helped the company weather the economic crisis of the late 1920s and early 1930s because these toys were also exported to the US.
In 1950, Wilesco started manufacturing miniature steam engines. In 1966, the D 365 "Old Smokey" steamroller was introduced which has been popular among collectors and continues to be produced.
The company also manufactures various accessories for their steam engines such as electrical generators and steam workshops. While most of their steam engine models are heated by esbit, electrical heating is also available. Steam-powered toy locomotives (G scale
) are also available from Wilesco.
The company still manufactures a range of plastic and aluminium scoops and hooks.
Wilesco's main rival is the British based steam model manufacturer: Mamod
. Mamod and Wilesco produce similar models, at similar prices and gauge range.
Trade name
A trade name, also known as a trading name or a business name, is the name which a business trades under for commercial purposes, although its registered, legal name, used for contracts and other formal situations, may be another....
of German toy company Wilhelm Schröder GmbH & Co. KG, known for manufacturing live steam
Live steam
Live steam is steam under pressure, obtained by heating water in a boiler. The steam is used to operate stationary or moving equipment.A live steam machine or device is one powered by steam, but the term is usually reserved for those that are replicas, scale models, toys, or otherwise used for...
toys such as steamroller
Steamroller
A steamroller is a form of road roller – a type of heavy construction machinery used for levelling surfaces, such as roads or airfields – that is powered by a steam engine...
s, traction engine
Traction engine
A traction engine is a self-propelled steam engine used to move heavy loads on roads, plough ground or to provide power at a chosen location. The name derives from the Latin tractus, meaning 'drawn', since the prime function of any traction engine is to draw a load behind it...
s, and stationary steam engine
Stationary steam engine
Stationary steam engines are fixed steam engines used for pumping or driving mills and factories, and for power generation. They are distinct from locomotive engines used on railways, traction engines for heavy steam haulage on roads, steam cars , agricultural engines used for ploughing or...
s.
Initially a producer of aluminum forks and spoons, the company expanded into miniature aluminum accessories for doll's tea parties in the 1920s. This decision also helped the company weather the economic crisis of the late 1920s and early 1930s because these toys were also exported to the US.
In 1950, Wilesco started manufacturing miniature steam engines. In 1966, the D 365 "Old Smokey" steamroller was introduced which has been popular among collectors and continues to be produced.
The company also manufactures various accessories for their steam engines such as electrical generators and steam workshops. While most of their steam engine models are heated by esbit, electrical heating is also available. Steam-powered toy locomotives (G scale
G scale
G scale is a scale for model railways, and because of its size and durability, G scale is often used outdoors. Such installations are known as garden railways.-LGB:...
) are also available from Wilesco.
The company still manufactures a range of plastic and aluminium scoops and hooks.
Wilesco's main rival is the British based steam model manufacturer: Mamod
Mamod
The Mamod company is a British toy manufacturer specializing in building live steam models. The company was founded in 1937 in Birmingham in the British midlands by Geoffrey Malins. The name is a contraction of Malins Models'. The first models produced were of stationary steam engines, the company...
. Mamod and Wilesco produce similar models, at similar prices and gauge range.