Model steam engines?

[beyond the blue]

After open heart surgery I find myself laid up for a couple of months. As an ex engineer I fancy building a model steam engine. A quick search shows up a Retrol beam engine that looks interesting, however it appears that a lot of the components are pre-built and I'm not a lover of the nylon piping. Do we have any model experts that can offer any alternative kits or any advice?

 

[artyman]

Reminds me of the old Mamod steam engines you used to see sixty years ago

 

[Donnie]

After open heart surgery I find myself laid up for a couple of months. As an ex engineer I fancy building a model steam engine. A quick search shows up a Retrol beam engine that looks interesting, however it appears that a lot of the components are pre-built and I'm not a lover of the nylon piping. Do we have any model experts that can offer any alternative kits or any advice?

I did briefly consider buying this!


Wife said no :-(

 

[Norkie]

Reminds me of the old Mamod steam engines you used to see sixty years ago

Like this?

 

[the black fox]

Hmmm sure I read a few months ago that Mamod went out of business due to restrictions on the availability of fuel types to use in them .. not sure if there still made but stuart and turner used to be a good brand of model steam engines .. but most stuff these days seems to come from china . Personally I would try a search on the likes of Temu first

 

[andya700]

Fascinating things, I have always been intrigued by them. Here are some suppliers, although I don't have any idea of the origens of the kits. If you build one, please give regular updates and images.

Live Steam Models

Live Steam Models\nAt Wonderland Models, we stock a wide range of live steam models, perfect for adult hobbyists and enthusiasts of mechanical engineering. Our collection features high-quality kits from the premium brand Wilesco, renowned for its superb en…

www.wonderlandmodels.com

Stationary Model Steam Engines

Welcome to Milbury Model Company! We have everything to suit your needs.

milburymodels.co.uk

Chiltern Model Steam Engines

Model Live Steam Engine Kits, fully machined. Beam, Mill and Marine Engines, single, twin and quad cylinder. Model Live Steam Boilers, complete with all fittings.

www.chilternmodelsteam.co.uk

Stuart Models | Steam Engines | Model Engineering | Executive Toys

All of our models are supplied as sets of castings with drawings and all necessary materials, fixings and fittings to machine your own model steam engine

www.stuartmodels.com

 

[Nod]

As long as it's not rivetted together, you should be able to dismantle the pre-assemblies and rebuild them. Should be possible to create a copper pipe to replace the nylon too.

 

[andya700]

As long as it's not rivetted together, you should be able to dismantle the pre-assemblies and rebuild them. Should be possible to create a copper pipe to replace the nylon too.

I think the copper pipe is widely available. Might be an idea to join a forum to get the best advice.

Scale Modelling Copper Tube - Albion Alloys - Scale Model Shop

Scale Modelling Copper Tube by Albion Alloys, available from Scale Model Shop UK, Fast UK Delivery, 5* Customer service, Live Stock Levels

www.scalemodelshop.co.uk

miniature copper pipe | Model Engineer & Model Engineers Workshop

advice sought

www.model-engineer.co.uk

 

[beyond the blue]

Fascinating things, I have always been intrigued by them. Here are some suppliers, although I don't have any idea of the origens of the kits. If you build one, please give regular updates and images.

Live Steam Models

Live Steam Models\nAt Wonderland Models, we stock a wide range of live steam models, perfect for adult hobbyists and enthusiasts of mechanical engineering. Our collection features high-quality kits from the premium brand Wilesco, renowned for its superb en…

www.wonderlandmodels.com

Stationary Model Steam Engines

Welcome to Milbury Model Company! We have everything to suit your needs.

milburymodels.co.uk

Chiltern Model Steam Engines

Model Live Steam Engine Kits, fully machined. Beam, Mill and Marine Engines, single, twin and quad cylinder. Model Live Steam Boilers, complete with all fittings.

www.chilternmodelsteam.co.uk

Stuart Models | Steam Engines | Model Engineering | Executive Toys

All of our models are supplied as sets of castings with drawings and all necessary materials, fixings and fittings to machine your own model steam engine

www.stuartmodels.com

Fascinating things, I have always been intrigued by them. Here are some suppliers, although I don't have any idea of the origens of the kits. If you build one, please give regular updates and images.

Live Steam Models

Live Steam Models\nAt Wonderland Models, we stock a wide range of live steam models, perfect for adult hobbyists and enthusiasts of mechanical engineering. Our collection features high-quality kits from the premium brand Wilesco, renowned for its superb en…

www.wonderlandmodels.com

Stationary Model Steam Engines

Welcome to Milbury Model Company! We have everything to suit your needs.

milburymodels.co.uk

Chiltern Model Steam Engines

Model Live Steam Engine Kits, fully machined. Beam, Mill and Marine Engines, single, twin and quad cylinder. Model Live Steam Boilers, complete with all fittings.

www.chilternmodelsteam.co.uk

Stuart Models | Steam Engines | Model Engineering | Executive Toys

All of our models are supplied as sets of castings with drawings and all necessary materials, fixings and fittings to machine your own model steam engine

www.stuartmodels.com

Brilliant reply, thank you. There's lots of homework there. Back in the late 70s I worked as a boiler man in a paper mill we had 4 huge John Thompson water tube boilers that stood 3 gantry levels high and operated at 240psi. City and guilds level 5 in boiler technology. I can still quote Boyles law to this day.

 

[Nod]

Have to admit that I rather fancy the idea of one of the engines in one of the links but I'd want it as a kit rather than ready built.

V Twin Vintage Motorcycle Engine

V Twin Vintage Motorcycle Engine

www.chilternmodelsteam.co.uk

My Grandfather was into steam and had a 6" scale (1/2 linear measurements) traction engine built. Uncle now shows it locally and uses it to power a table saw to chop firewood. Big boys' toys!

 

[Norkie]

Have to admit that I rather fancy the idea of one of the engines in one of the links but I'd want it as a kit rather than ready built.

V Twin Vintage Motorcycle Engine

V Twin Vintage Motorcycle Engine

www.chilternmodelsteam.co.uk

My Grandfather was into steam and had a 6" scale (1/2 linear measurements) traction engine built. Uncle now shows it locally and uses it to power a table saw to chop firewood. Big boys' toys!

Thats so cool Nod

 

[Jammy Dodger]

These are very well known and fun to build, you will need a lathe & milling machine though!

Lots of YouTube vids on them:

Stuart Models | Steam Engines | Model Engineering | Executive Toys

All of our models are supplied as sets of castings with drawings and all necessary materials, fixings and fittings to machine your own model steam engine

www.stuartmodels.com

 

[the black fox]

These are ver well known and fun to build, you will need a lathe & milling machine though!

Lots of YouTube vids on them:

Stuart Models | Steam Engines | Model Engineering | Executive Toys

All of our models are supplied as sets of castings with drawings and all necessary materials, fixings and fittings to machine your own model steam engine

www.stuartmodels.com

Interesting just finished building a Clyde puffer model boat if I had known about there RTR marine engines I might have been tempted to fit one .

 

[Nod]

A super-cheap option...

Amazon.co.uk