John Chapman
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Wylie HarrisI am very pleased with the latest addition to my collection of Post War British engines. It's one you don't come accross very often - a Wylie Harris. It has a couple of unusual features; it is held together by springy straps ( curtain wires? ) and the lamp is built into the base.
It is a runner, but obviously is in need of some TLC. I'll give it a good clean and then decide where to go from there. I also need to have look through my references to see what I can find out about the makers, I believe these engines were made in Wales.
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silverfoxsteam
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That's terrific John, really unusual and must be incredibly rare.
Welsh too, I hope you're right about that.
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Spokesmann
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Thats a new one on my John any more info, a very individual engine indeed.
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Mamod Collector
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That must be one of the rarest engines around 
I like the flywheel with all those grooves, and the burner built into the base
Thats an amazing little engine John
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JJ
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Truly amazing, this could well be the only one of these we fellas see on here.
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newts
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A great find John, did they make any other engines?
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JJ
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The huge sprung band must hold the boiler and firebox to the base/burner and removal surely grants access to the wick(s) or baffle plate. Any chance of a pic of the burner assembly John?
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John Chapman
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| JJ wrote: | | Any chance of a pic of the burner assembly John? |
Hope to have it to bits tomorrow and I will take some more pictures. I really am pleased to have got this baby.
I must have done something right recently as I copped this one and a Wilson in the same week. 
I've found a bit of info on Wylie Harris. Apparently they exhibited at the 1947 British Industries Fair. Their ctalogue entry said - "Manufacturers of "Turbo" Metal Products including Children's Tricycles, Scooters, Coasters, Motorcars, Steam Engines, Wheels and Pressed Steelwork; also Tubular Steel Trolleys for Domestic, Industrial and Agricultural use. Metal Furniture both Commercial and Domestic. (Olympia, 2nd Floor, Stand No. J.2216)".
There is also a bit in a past copy of S.T.E.A.M. which I must dig out.
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Spokesmann
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Keep kit coming John, now you come to mention it the name rings a bell with regard to childrens tricycles, I vaguely remember as a kid some mates sister or younger brother having something, the name/logo is making me think...
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John Chapman
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Pictures of the base with its integral burner.
This has to be one of the most unusual engines I've ever come across. That said it is very solidly built. Everything about it is substantial, the flywheel is a solid lump of steel
I had hoped that the paint might be in good enough condition to save, but I'm not sure now. Quite a lot was loose and blistered and there is a bit of rust that needs seeing too, so it might be a complete restoration job.
There is some silver paint on the firebox. It has been brush painted but I am pretty sure it is original. I have rubbed down and treated a couple of rust patches and I can't see any traces of any other colour under the silver.
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Spokesmann
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Highly unusal, the boiler look to have traces of green paint?
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John Chapman
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| Spokesmann wrote: | | Highly unusal, the boiler look to have traces of green paint? |
Yes there are some spots of green paint on the boiler. Whether it is original or not I have no idea. The only photo of one I have seen, in the S.T.E.A.M. newsletter, had been restored and the boiler was polished brass. I've got a couple of feelers out for info.
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JJ
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Whatever your decision regarding what course of action to take, either way it's a fine piece.
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silverfoxsteam
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Absolutely fascinating! A real treat this one John.
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Jay_Minor
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very nice john, is it the one that was on a certain bay earlier on?
if so i had my eye on it but had no idea what it was
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John Chapman
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| Jay_Minor wrote: | very nice john, is it the one that was on a certain bay earlier on?
if so i had my eye on it but had no idea what it was |
That's the fella 
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Jay_Minor
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| John Chapman wrote: | | Jay_Minor wrote: | very nice john, is it the one that was on a certain bay earlier on?
if so i had my eye on it but had no idea what it was |
That's the fella |
so i guess you knew what it was then
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John Chapman
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| Jay_Minor wrote: | | John Chapman wrote: | | Jay_Minor wrote: | very nice john, is it the one that was on a certain bay earlier on?
if so i had my eye on it but had no idea what it was |
That's the fella |
so i guess you knew what it was then |
Oh yes, had my eye on it as soon as it appeared. There were a couple of pictures in S.T.E.A.M. (Steam Toys Engines And Models) a year or two back.
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John Chapman
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Thoroughly cleaned up, rusty base repainted and new wire straps. I'm rather pleased with this one.
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Spokesmann
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Excellent work John, I have to say its one of the most unusual English engines we have seen on here for a while. One to watch out for in the future!
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newts
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Nice sympathetic clean up John.
What's holding up the bathroom curtains now you've renewed boiler straps 
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silverfoxsteam
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Looks nice & tidy now John.
Have you replaced the spring straps or just cleaned them up? What's holding them in place in the base - are they just hooked in?
There's no s/v (of course an oscilating engine doesn't really need one does it?), so is the screw on the other side a filler/level pug?
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John Chapman
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Thanks gents
| silverfoxsteam wrote: | | Have you replaced the spring straps or just cleaned them up? What's holding them in place in the base - are they just hooked in? |
They are new straps, the originals were very rusty and stretched. They are standard curtain wire, with the plastic covering stripped off. They are an exact match for the originals so I'm guessing that they were also curtain wire. They are held in place with the brass screw in loops that fit into the end of the wire.
| silverfoxsteam wrote: | | There's no s/v (of course an oscilating engine doesn't really need one does it?), so is the screw on the other side a filler/level pug? |
Yes, it's combined filler and level plug, another unusual idea.
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silverfoxsteam
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Thanks for clarifying all that John.
| John Chapman wrote: |
Yes, it's combined filler and level plug, another unusual idea. |
Unusual for these engines but very much the norm in engineering generally. I suppose that combining the s/v and filler does make sense though.
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Spokesmann
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Are the holes Meccano spaced John?
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Mamod Collector
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Very nice clean up John, that is a lovely looking engine
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JJ
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A job well done John, an absolute pleasure to be shown.
I thank you.
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John Chapman
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Thanks for your kind words Gents.
| Spokesmann wrote: | | Are the holes Meccano spaced John? |
Yes Mike, standard half inch spacing.
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