Model steam engine
Encyclopedia
A model steam engine is a small steam engine
built as an educational toy for children (in which case it is also called a toy steam engine) or for adult live steam
enthusiasts. Between the 18th and early 20th centuries, demonstration models were also in use at universities and engineering schools, frequently designed and built by students as part of their curriculum.
Model steam engines have been made in many forms by a number of manufacturers, but building model steam engines from scratch is popular among adult steam enthusiasts, although this generally requires access to a lathe
and/or milling machine
. Those without a lathe can alternatively purchase prefabricated cylinders.
introduced one of the two main types of model/toy steam engines, namely stationary engines
with accessories that were supposed to mimic a 19th-century factory. In the early 20th century, mobile engines such as steam locomotive
s, steam rollers, fire engines, and traction engine
s appeared. Today, companies such as Wilesco
(Germany), Mamod
(UK), and Jensen (US) continue to produce model/toy steam engines.
on the simpler models), operate at lower pressures, and lack a superheater
, while the latter will place more emphasis on similarity to life-sized engines. Manufacturers such as Wilesco sell both simple toy engines for beginners (e.g. the D3) and more intricate model engines that are meant to be used to drive e.g. boats.
Model steam engines typically use either hexamine fuel tablet
s, methylated spirit
s (aka meths), butane
gas, or electricity
to heat the boiler. Cylinders are either oscillating (single-acting
or double-acting
) or slide-valve (normally double-acting). Spring safety valve
s and steam whistle
s are other common features of model steam engines. Some stationary engines also have feedwater pumps
to replenish boiler water, allowing them to run indefinitely as long as sufficient fuel is available.
Steam engine
A steam engine is a heat engine that performs mechanical work using steam as its working fluid.Steam engines are external combustion engines, where the working fluid is separate from the combustion products. Non-combustion heat sources such as solar power, nuclear power or geothermal energy may be...
built as an educational toy for children (in which case it is also called a toy steam engine) or for adult live steam
Live steam
Live steam is steam under pressure, obtained by heating water in a boiler. The steam is used to operate stationary or moving equipment.A live steam machine or device is one powered by steam, but the term is usually reserved for those that are replicas, scale models, toys, or otherwise used for...
enthusiasts. Between the 18th and early 20th centuries, demonstration models were also in use at universities and engineering schools, frequently designed and built by students as part of their curriculum.
Model steam engines have been made in many forms by a number of manufacturers, but building model steam engines from scratch is popular among adult steam enthusiasts, although this generally requires access to a lathe
Lathe
A lathe is a machine tool which rotates the workpiece on its axis to perform various operations such as cutting, sanding, knurling, drilling, or deformation with tools that are applied to the workpiece to create an object which has symmetry about an axis of rotation.Lathes are used in woodturning,...
and/or milling machine
Milling machine
A milling machine is a machine tool used to machine solid materials. Milling machines are often classed in two basic forms, horizontal and vertical, which refers to the orientation of the main spindle. Both types range in size from small, bench-mounted devices to room-sized machines...
. Those without a lathe can alternatively purchase prefabricated cylinders.
History
In the late 19th century, manufacturers such as German toy company BingBing (company)
Bing or Gebrüder Bing was a German toy company founded in 1863 in Nuremberg, Germany by two brothers, Ignaz and Adolf Bing, originally producing metal kitchen utensils.-History:...
introduced one of the two main types of model/toy steam engines, namely stationary engines
Stationary steam engine
Stationary steam engines are fixed steam engines used for pumping or driving mills and factories, and for power generation. They are distinct from locomotive engines used on railways, traction engines for heavy steam haulage on roads, steam cars , agricultural engines used for ploughing or...
with accessories that were supposed to mimic a 19th-century factory. In the early 20th century, mobile engines such as steam locomotive
Steam locomotive
A steam locomotive is a railway locomotive that produces its power through a steam engine. These locomotives are fueled by burning some combustible material, usually coal, wood or oil, to produce steam in a boiler, which drives the steam engine...
s, steam rollers, fire engines, and traction engine
Traction engine
A traction engine is a self-propelled steam engine used to move heavy loads on roads, plough ground or to provide power at a chosen location. The name derives from the Latin tractus, meaning 'drawn', since the prime function of any traction engine is to draw a load behind it...
s appeared. Today, companies such as Wilesco
Wilesco
Wilesco is the trade name of German toy company Wilhelm Schröder GmbH & Co. KG, known for manufacturing live steam toys such as steamrollers, traction engines, and stationary steam engines....
(Germany), Mamod
Mamod
The Mamod company is a British toy manufacturer specializing in building live steam models. The company was founded in 1937 in Birmingham in the British midlands by Geoffrey Malins. The name is a contraction of Malins Models'. The first models produced were of stationary steam engines, the company...
(UK), and Jensen (US) continue to produce model/toy steam engines.
Design features
There is no strict definition for the distinction between toy steam engines and model steam engines, but commonly the former will have fewer features (such as forgoing mechanical lubricators or regulatorsThrottle
A throttle is the mechanism by which the flow of a fluid is managed by constriction or obstruction. An engine's power can be increased or decreased by the restriction of inlet gases , but usually decreased. The term throttle has come to refer, informally and incorrectly, to any mechanism by which...
on the simpler models), operate at lower pressures, and lack a superheater
Superheater
A superheater is a device used to convert saturated steam or wet steam into dry steam used for power generation or processes. There are three types of superheaters namely: radiant, convection, and separately fired...
, while the latter will place more emphasis on similarity to life-sized engines. Manufacturers such as Wilesco sell both simple toy engines for beginners (e.g. the D3) and more intricate model engines that are meant to be used to drive e.g. boats.
Model steam engines typically use either hexamine fuel tablet
Hexamine fuel tablet
A hexamine fuel tablet is a form of solid fuel in tablet form. The tablets burn smokelessly, have a high energy density, do not liquify while burning and leave no ashes. Invented in Murrhardt, Germany, in 1936, the main component is hexamine .A number of alternative names are in use, including heat...
s, methylated spirit
Methylated spirit
Denatured alcohol or methylated spirits is ethanol that has additives to make it more poisonous or unpalatable, and thus, undrinkable. In some cases it is also dyed....
s (aka meths), butane
Butane
Butane is a gas with the formula C4H10 that is an alkane with four carbon atoms. The term may refer to any of two structural isomers, or to a mixture of them: in the IUPAC nomenclature, however, butane refers only to the unbranched n-butane isomer; the other one being called "methylpropane" or...
gas, or electricity
Electricity
Electricity is a general term encompassing a variety of phenomena resulting from the presence and flow of electric charge. These include many easily recognizable phenomena, such as lightning, static electricity, and the flow of electrical current in an electrical wire...
to heat the boiler. Cylinders are either oscillating (single-acting
Single-acting cylinder
A single-acting cylinder in a reciprocating engine is a cylinder in which the working fluid acts on one side of the piston only. This is in contrast to a double-acting cylinder, in which the working fluid acts alternately in both directions...
or double-acting
Double-acting cylinder
A double-acting cylinder in a reciprocating engine is a cylinder in which the working fluid acts alternately on both sides of the piston. This is in contrast to a single-acting cylinder, in which the working fluid acts in one direction only....
) or slide-valve (normally double-acting). Spring safety valve
Safety valve
A safety valve is a valve mechanism for the automatic release of a substance from a boiler, pressure vessel, or other system when the pressure or temperature exceeds preset limits....
s and steam whistle
Steam whistle
A steam whistle is a device used to produce sound with the aid of live steam, which acts as a vibrating system .- Operation :...
s are other common features of model steam engines. Some stationary engines also have feedwater pumps
Boiler feedwater pump
A boiler feedwater pump is a specific type of pump used to pump feedwater into a steam boiler. The water may be freshly supplied or returning condensate produced as a result of the condensation of the steam produced by the boiler...
to replenish boiler water, allowing them to run indefinitely as long as sufficient fuel is available.
See also
- Live steamLive steamLive steam is steam under pressure, obtained by heating water in a boiler. The steam is used to operate stationary or moving equipment.A live steam machine or device is one powered by steam, but the term is usually reserved for those that are replicas, scale models, toys, or otherwise used for...
- Model engineeringModel engineeringModel engineering is the hobby of constructing machines in miniature. The term was in use by 1888. There is some debate about the appropriateness of the term...
- :Category:Toy steam engine manufacturers
External links
- The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum (on-line forum about model steam engines)
- Model steam engine photo galleries
- Vintage model steam engine museum
- Online museum of model steam engines from around the world