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 Rank: Semi-Pro Level 1  Groups: Registered
Joined: 02/12/2015 Posts: 53 Points: 145 Location: Cheshire
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Hi, I have been looking to build a model steam engine but the few companies that supply kits still require you to be able to use engineering skills to build them i.e. using a lathe to mill metal etc. Why not one of these beautiful machines that can be built with only the tools required to build the D51 for example. Here are some examples of what I was thinking of.  ][/  ] [  ][/  ] I was not even thinking of using steam. My thought was to use an electric motor or even a small air pump as used in aquariums. I think the contrast of using different materials like wood, copper, brass, aluminium, bronze, steel etc would look really good and would make a great display piece. Thoughts?
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 Rank: Vice-Master      Groups: Registered
Joined: 07/01/2015 Posts: 856 Points: 2,479 Location: Sevenoaks, UK
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I think it's a brilliant idea, I'd want to build it. Any images I post on my personal builds are free to be used and shared under Creative Commons Attribution license, which means you can do what you want with them, on the condition you mention I'm the author.
Happy building :-) http://www.model-space.com/gb/
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Rank: Vice-Master  Groups: Registered
Joined: 13/02/2012 Posts: 651 Points: 1,903 Location: croydon
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Hi Peter10. I whole heartedly agree with you as some of the steam engines look fantastic   . They could run on the same principle like the Mamod models. I would be up for one or 2 of them. Great idea. Best regards. Mark
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 Rank: Pro Groups: Joined: 24/08/2009 Posts: 48,827 Points: -13,348
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mark 2 wrote:Hi Peter10. I whole heartedly agree with you as some of the steam engines look fantastic . They could run on the same principle like the Mamod models. I would be up for one or 2 of them. Great idea. Best regards. Mark
There will never be a partwork that involves live steam in any respect.
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Rank: Semi-Pro Level 1 Groups: Registered
Joined: 02/12/2015 Posts: 53 Points: 145 Location: Cheshire
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That's why I suggested using an electric motor or, as is used in many cases with these types of models, a small electric air pump which could be hidden under the base.
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Rank: Vice-Master  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/01/2017 Posts: 572 Points: 1,731 Location: Cambridgeshire
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Hi Peter. I agree that one of these would be an amazing build. The final picture you posted is the one I'd like to build. The support frame and the brickwork add an extra appeal to the kit. Using an air pump would be a great way to get it to operate, and not really any different to the Airfix jet engine and internal combustion engine kits that use electric motors. Current Builds
Eaglemoss: Ecto-1, BTTF Delorean [Installing Mods]
Hachette: T800 Endoskeleton
Agora Models Shelby Cobra 427 [Plate 031]
BanDai 1:5000 Imperial Star Destroyer
AMT 1991 U.S.S. Enterprise Bridge [Installing Mods & Lights]
Finished Builds
Deagostini: R2-D2 [Never getting batteries]
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Rank: Semi-Pro Level 1 Groups: Registered
Joined: 02/12/2015 Posts: 53 Points: 145 Location: Cheshire
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Hi Coser, and welcome to the forum.
The motor could be hidden in the brick base and a dial could be used to adjust the speed of the pistons.
I looked into companies supplying these type of kits in this scale and there were two main types.
The first will supply rough cast pieces that would need finishing on a lathe. These would cost £500-£1500, but are not suitable for the average kit builder.
The second type are fully finished kit pieces that build up to a complete model, however these tend to cost between £7000-£10,000. And therefore are sold in very small numbers.
If a kit was launched as a part work, that price would obviously come down substantially.
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Rank: Pro Groups: Joined: 24/08/2009 Posts: 48,827 Points: -13,348
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The costs are simply too high even with the volume that partworks deal with. An estimate would be £2,500+ kit which costs £25+ per issue, and then comes the problem of which engine to produce as it would need to be one that existed in real life which has history across all markets. At this point in time its simply not viable. The current price for most kit partworks is around £9 per issue, the current market wont stand more than double this cost.
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