A guide to building simple oscillating steam engine models. It describes the making of four such models: Kitty, a small overtype engine; Otto, a simple steam turbine plant; Wencelas, a superior Christmas present; and Henry a 19th-century vertical engine and boiler.

In this book long-time model maker Stan Bray describes the construction of a range of uncomplicated miniature steam engines, for construction by the model engineer.

"The Most Powerful Idea in the World argues that the very notion of intellectual property drove not only the invention of the steam engine but also the entire Industrial Revolution." -- Back cover.

This practical, instructional book describes the construction of a model of the Lampitt portable steam engine, which dates back to 1862, and which provided rotative power to drive threshing machines, circular saws, feed mills and other farm machinery. The construction of every component is described in precise detail and the text is supported by many helpful step-by-step photographs. In addition, useful advice is provided about obtaining materials and about the tools that are required to equip a model-engineering workshop. Accordingly, the information provided in this fascinating book will enable the reader to construct not only the Lampitt engine but also many other engineering models in the future. When the reader has finished building 'the Lampitt' he will, in effect, have completed an engineering apprenticeship, and will have a model engine of which he can be proud and which fully reveals the skills that he has learned. Fully illustrated with 142 step-by-step colour photographs.

This title gives a fascinating survey of the different kinds of toy steam engines of the stationary type, and especially those produced during the heyday of steam toys between 1900 and 1930. Dealing mainly with the German manufacturers, the pioneers of the mass-produced steam toys, it explains how the engines work, gives advice about operating and maintaining them and contains useful information about identifying and dating vintage models. The manufacturers and retailers who played a leading part in the production and distribution of steam toys are described, and a brief reference is made to manufacturers who are still making toy steam engines. This will be an excellent reference book for steam enthusiasts of all ages.

This book is a collection of vintage articles on the subject of installing miniature steam engines in model vehicles. Highly-detailed and profusely illustrated, this volume will be of considerable utility enthusiasts with an interest in model engineering, and would make for a fantastic addition to collections of related literature. Contents include: “Simple Model Steam Engine Construction”, “Design for a Motor Car type Steam Engine”, “A Model Compound Under-type Steam Engine”, “A Model Compound Under-Type Steam Engine”, “A Model Compound Under-Type Steam Engine”, “Some Interesting Steam Models”, “A Small Steam and Petrol Air-Gas Plant”, etc. Many vintage books such as this are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. It is with this in mind that we are republishing this volume now in an affordable, high-quality edition complete with a specially commissioned new introduction on model building.