British Model Steam
Engines
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Model steam engines were made in several countries, during the boom
years of 1900-1930, and extending into the postwar period of the 1950's. And it
should come as no surprise that the engines from each country tend to have
distinct design qualities.
The German engines tend to be elaborate in appearance with their heavy
use of paint and nickel plating, and features that border on mechanical
extravagance, pressure gauges and feed pumps on the larger models. American
engines are, for the most part, simple and robust, as evidenced by the models
produced by Jensen and Empire. Weeden is an exception, it's engines tend to
follow the German engines in appearance. French engines feature elaborately
built riveted boilers and scrolling metalwork on the supports - finished with a
typical French flourish.
British engines have a quality all their own. On the surface, they are
somewhat simple, tending to use mostly oscillating cylinders, However, they are
almost always equipped with elaborate oiling systems, come with very heavy
brass flywheels, and feature very precise machinework on the moving parts.
Dissasembling a British engine, or even just spinning the flywheel, shows that
the mechanicals were finished to much closer tolerances than the typical steam
model. The bases are either wood or heavy metal: steel or brass, tin was not
used. It can be said that Nuremburg engines were designed by artisans, the
Mozarts of the model industry. As befits the nation that invented the steam
engine, and produced such engineering legends as Watt, Maudsley, Whitworth, and
Brunel, British model steam engines are designed by engineers.
British engines come from two periods. The first was the 1920's to
1930's, when Bowman was the major producer, plus efforts from other emerging
precision modelers such as Bassett-Lowke and Mersey. During that time, Geoffery
Malins started the company that was to become Mamod.
The second revival of British steam came in the postwar period. With the
German industry in shambles, competition was weak. As well, there was a strong
'buy British' sentiment among the population in the postwar period, no doubt
encouraged by the piles of rubble in their cities, and the huge casualty list,
both civilian and military, that were created almost exclusively by conflict
with German forces. In this period, two major companies emerged as the primary
makers of steam models: Mamod and Signalling Equipment, Ltd.
My knowledge of British steam is at best a bit sketchy. If you want to
know more, I highly recommend these sites:
The MooseMan.
John Chapman.
Paper n' Steam Galore.
| Bowman |
(largely from Basil Harley's excellent article)
Geoffery Bowman Jenkins began his career in model steam with a partnership with
Hobbies Ltd, in Deerham, in 1923. Their first product was a line of live steam
powered boats, with Hobbies building the hull, and Bowman producing the steam
plant. Bowman soon expanded out into stationary steam engines, probably around
1927. They also introduced a line of live steam locomotives shortly thereafter.
Bowman appears to have discontinued it's live steam line around 1935,
leaving Hobbies Ltd without a supplier of live steam engines. That void was
filled by another Geoffrey - Geoffrey Malins, who was shortly to form his own
company, Mamod.
The Bowman name was not to disappear from live steaming.
Bowman was reincarnated during the postwar boom, operating out of Luton,
Bedfordshire. While the company did use the red archer emblem from the original
Bowman firm, there does not appear to be any other direct connection between
the two companies. Geoffrey Bowman Jenkins family believes that this was
operated by a Captain Smart, a cousing of Geoffrey. |
| E101 |
This is Bowman's big single cylinder, and
a most unique looking engine with it's large, rounded boiler. There is
something about the E101 that I just love - it's a very 'steamy' looking steam
model. The 101 was made in two configurations - the E101 with a wood base, and
the M101 with a metal Meccano base. Yes, I'm looking for a M101... you have one
for sale?
And a heavy engine at that - the solid brass flywheel alone weighs
in at 1.2 pounds/ .55 kilos. As with all larger Bowman engines, it comes with a
drip oiler on the main cylinder. Bowman also delivered all of its engines in a
stout wood box. As well they might, the weight of this engine would easily
crush a cardboard box if it were to shift in shipment.
As the first
photo shows, this big fellow was a bit of a mess when he showed up. A weekend,
and half a stick of jeweler's rouge, got him shining again.
Update:
Repaired the loose steam line, and fired him up. A very satisfying engine to
run, it makes all sorts of steam engine sounds, puffing steam and whining
gears. Highly recommended, if you like steam engines that sound like steam
engines. |
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| M122 |
Bowman's big two cylinder engine. And an impressive
sight, with it's twin oilers. Unlike the E101, the M series is designed to work
with Meccano sets, hence the flat base and the holes around the edge to attach
the various pieces. This example came out of the UK, by courtesy of the
Mooseman, a true gentleman and model steamer extraordinare.
Note the photo
of the M122 next to the E101 - the E101's burner resivoir is considerably
larger. As the E101's boiler is larger than the M122's, the burner for it can
contain more fuel, to run the model longer. Note to new model steamers - this
is why one should only use a burner designed for that specific engine - the
E101's burner would run the M122's boiler dry, damaging the boiler and creating
a very hazardous condition.
Running notes: This was an interesting model
to fire. It really cranks up the RPM's under steam, along with the gears
whining. I only have two large Bowman models, but both are very enthusiastic
runners.
And like many Bowman engines, the original box seems to have
survived with this model. |
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| Mersey |
| Not a great deal of information on Mersey. They
operated in the 1934-1941 time frame, and turned out a line of very attractive
wood and brass engines. |
| 54R |
A twin cylinder engine with reversing gear. If the
burner were present, it would have five wicks. Fascinating detail on the
plumbing for the reversing gear. While this engine is in mint condition, the
name badge seems to have gone missing.
Interesting detail on the plate
between the cylinders, possibly a patent number. Patent designations are not
usually seen on British steam engines.
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| 52R |
Single cylinder with reverse. I have the burner, same
as the 51, just forgot to put it in the photo.
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| 51 |
This one came from Paper 'n Steam Galore, complete with
original box and instructions. Like Bowman, it features a solid brass flywheel,
albeit considerably smaller than my E101's monster flywheel.
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| Stuart Turner |
| More on Stuart later, for now here are my two... |
| Stuart
S50/S500 |
S50 mill engine with S500 boiler and alcohol
burner.
Quite a bit more powerful than the Nuremburg models. Under steam,
the cylinder packs quite a punch. On my wish list, but probaby no time soon due
to the hefty cost, is the triple expansion Stuart engine. And their beam
engine... |
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| Stuart 6 Compound |
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| Signalling Equipment,
Limited |
| Part of the postwar boom in British
steam, SEL was a division of J and L Randall, Ltd. SEL began production in
1946, with four engines. That line was to remain largely unchanged until SEL
discontinued production in 1965. |
| 1550
Major |
| The 1550 Major was the largest of SEL's line, though it
is still diminutive by normal model steam standards. Note that the boiler and
steam lines are covered in gold paint. This was original finish. |
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| Burnac
Vulcan |
Produced shortly after the end of WW2. Vulcans have
been seen in two configurations, all brass, and brass/copper mix. This one is a
brass/copper mix. There is also some variation in the sight glass covers, some
have a Bing style cover. This is one well built model, despite it's somewhat
humble design. Tolerances are tight, nothing rattles, and it runs most
enthusiastically.
I've heard several stories about Burnac, it's been a
bit difficult to pin down it's exact origins. It appears that the engines were
made from 1946 to 1949, but otherwise, there isn't a great deal to go on.
One story has it that the steam engine line began when an entrepreneur
found a huge supply of unused shell casings at the end of the war that could be
had for next to nothing. The boiler tube on this model is a lot thicker than it
needs to be, and it's about 40mm in diameter, just about the size of a 40mm
Borfors AA shell. No official facts to back that one up, but it makes an
interesting story.
Another story has it that Burnac was in the sewing
machine business, and built model steam engines as a sideline. Again, no
official conformation or facts to back that one up,either - that one came from
an ebay seller, and they have been known to have active imaginations from time
to time. |
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| LBSC |
Lillian 'Curly' Lawrence is, along with Henry Greenly,
a legend in British model steam. He began his career at the age of 13, building
a live steam locomotive using a treadle powered lathe. Writing under the nom de
plume of LBSC, his favorite railroad (London, Brighton, and South Coast
Railway), he published 150 designs for live steam locomotives.
A must have
for any live steamer is LBSC's book: Shop, Shed, and Road. Not just about
locomotives, it also covers many basic machining and operating techniques.
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| Bat |
While most of LBSC's designs were for large scale model
railroading, he did design two O gauge locomotives, the Bat and the Owl. These
engines could be built in 1 or 0 gauge. LBSC designed these during the war, the
reason being that their small size would allow them to be operated indoors,
during the night time blackout. Large scale locomotives, he felt, might cast
light from their fireboxes while operating outdoors - the war truly received a
maximum effort, even from modelers.
This is the Bat. For an O gauge
locomotive, it was very detailed, with the steam exhaust directed through a
venturi to create a draught in the firebox, and a superheat line.
This one
needs some work to get it going. Has what appears to be a gas burner with it.
The former owner thoughtfully provided a very nice static running stand. |
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