Steam engines - stationary

[GTIR]

I'm fascinated by the big beam steam engines that power water pumps oop north and always loved Fred Dibnah when he went exploring. Oddly traction engines do nothing for me.

Why is it that the sizes of stationary steam engines are either small/medium size toys or massive room size ones?

Why isn't there any car engine size ones? Or is there?

Anyone into them?
I've seen a few beautiful Stuart beam engines for sale but they're always needing work.


What a beaut!

Edited by GTIR on Saturday 19th May 17:24

[Zad]

I think the problem is that once a model gets bigger than "small" then it effectively becomes a proper working engine, and the price increases. They get fitted to things like lake steam launches, and the boiler inherently starts to dominate things.

If you want to build a model engine without the need for a lathe, mill etc, have a look at the Graham Industries TVR1A. They come as a kit that just needs finishing and assembling. It will run off compressed air or steam.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmLEnD7IdUE

[200bhp]

Just found this thread.

My brother and I built a Stuart beam engine in the early 90s when we were at college/university. Having grown up around full size steam traction engines, we'd spent ages talking about building something and then one Christmas the kit turned up under the tree.

We were lucky enough to have a lathe and small milling machine at home and couldnt have doe the job without it - But as boy in our teens it was a great introduction to machining and we got a lot out of it.

[jimmyjimjim]

GTIR said:

What a beaut!

That's the exact model my dad has (in addition to a few other things, including a 1/4 scale Bentley BR-2). Having helped him make it, I'll be inheriting it, but hopefully not for a very long time.