Sold November 2021 Back to Archive

A finely built 1 inch scale beam engine, winner of the Stationary Engine class at the 2018 Midlands Model Engineering Exhibition.

Based on an original design by George Gentry - a detailed, prototypically authentic model serialised in "Model Engineer" magazine in 1914 - in the late 1950s it was redrawn, updated and at the same time resized to 1 inch scale. Serialised again in the magazine at that time, it became known as the "ME" beam engine.

The builder is a highly experienced model engineer - a retired patternmaker (as was his father, whose name can be seen on the beam), he made the patterns for the beam engine before having them cast locally.

The engine is mounted on a replica brick plinth on an engine room floor, with the maintenance bench alongside complete with an array of beautifully made miniature tools and working vice.

The base contains an electric motor, with speed controller hidden under the tool cupboard, allowing the engine to be demonstrated running.

There is also a threaded fitting on the main steam inlet for connecting a compressor so that, if preferred, the engine can be run on air.