Re the Graupner 2 cylinder steam paddle engine. The German toy steam
manufacturer WILESCO make an almost identical plant which I am pretty
certain they also make for Graupner. It is a gas fired horizontal
boiler with a twin cylinder slide valve engine fitted with a
tranverse axle (geared) to drive a paddle shaft. I have had one of
these Wilesco engines for some years now and it is VERY reliable. It
is appreciably cheaper than the Graupner unit, about £220 UK price.
PS it is also fitted with an RC throttle/reverse arm.