My model steam engines
This is a selection of the engines I have built over the last two years. one or two have been ‘non-starters’ but generally I have managed to get most of them to a running state and each one gives me an enormous feeling of satisfaction.
I have learnt many lessons in the course of building each of these engines. The most significant is not to become impatient. Rather than accept a part which is not quite good enough I will toss it in the scrap bin and start again. This is based on the principle that I prefer to produce something to the best of my ability than accept something of less quality than I know I am capable of. I would rather spend an entire day (and I frequently do) making just one small component to the best of my ability rather than making a pile of inferior bits. I have tended to be impatient throughout my life but my experience with model engineering, perhaps aided by increasing maturity, has changed all that giving me greater satisfaction in the projects I undertake.
Click on any picture for larger image
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- My first engine - it did run for a short while before self destructing
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- Elmers 'Wobbler' an ideal first engine project which is relatively quick and simple to build.
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- Elmers 'Twin Wobbler' a lovely engine and an ideal second project
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- My first attempt at a twin cylinder double acting oscillating engine - sadly a non runner
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- A twin cylinder oscillator which due to simplified crankshaft joined the ranks of runners
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- A Mill Engine, my first with sliding valve for input/exhaust, steam chest and reverse running.
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- A three cylinder rotary engine adapted from a 5 cylinder design by Liney USA
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- Elmers 'Tiny', a lovely little engine well worth adding to your 'to do' list
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- A V-twin poppet valve engine that steadfastly refuses to run despite many hours of work.
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- Elmer's #33 Mill Engine at original size
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- Elmer's Mill Engine #33 built 50% larger than plan
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- Little and large - Elmer's #33 Mill Engine
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- Beam Engine, a more recent project built to a French design and mounted on an acrylic base.
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- My 'art deco' version of the currently popular Rocking Engine which employs a novel method of input and exhaust.
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- Elmer's 'Standby' engine with inlet and exhaust control via crankshaft porting.
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- Another one of Elmer's little engines - #3 Open Column with reverse with added finning detail to cylinder barrel and head.
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- An attractive double acting oscillator engines - see my build notes under 'Step by Step Projects'
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- Elmers #32 vertical open column mill engine built 50% up on original plan size
