Firebox Door for the Burrell
The firebox door for the Burrell 1/20th scale traction engine is a challenge based on the size of the hinge and latch. The usefulness of the door is questionable as the prime route for firing [more…]
steam engine
Steam Powered Street Lighting
This all started with me wondering what it would be like to have steam powered street lighting. Could we have a network of steam and a steam engine attached to the lamp post? How big [more…]
Dynamo for the Lamp Post Engine
Ages ago I looked at the idea of making a Dynamo for the Lamp Post Engine, that would in turn power a lamp. I then left it some time before I got the urge to [more…]
Miniature Traction Engine Boiler
The miniature traction engine boiler design is to heat partly from underneath and with through tubes from the firebox. This means I can make a simple copper boiler and fix this into a steel firebox. [more…]
Steam Engine and Boiler Efficiency
Having approximated the engine’s steam consumption at a given speed and having calculated the consumption of fuel for the boiler I should now be able to calculate the Steam Engine and Boiler Efficiency. References Condensers [more…]
Steam and Methylated Spirit Consumption
Steam and methylated spirit consumption is a big subject and so my first task was to break this down into some simple numbers and ideas. This page is all about explaining those ideas and first [more…]
Steam Boiler Angle
I’ve been looking into the angle of the steam boiler on a traction engine relative to the surface that the engine sits on. This angle is always biased downwards towards the firebox. Having measured a [more…]
Wooden Beam Engine Design
The design of a wood and metal steam beam engine.
Insulated Steam Engine Cylinder
The cylinders on steam engines need insulating and there are many ways of achieving this. On this page I’ve shared some ideas, options and a particular design of mine for the insulated steam engine cylinder [more…]
Slider Crank Linkage
The slider crank linkage is common in steam engine design as it removes the side forces from the piston and from the connecting rod that is sealed by the gland as it passes into the [more…]