Kit review Steam Engine Model with Generator and Street Lamp BUILD REVIEW - RETROL via EngineDIY

[James H]

Steam Engine Model with Generator and Street Lamp - RETROL via EngineDIY
Catalogue SE-02
Available from EngineDIY for $329.99

 

A steam engine
A steam engine is a heat engine that performs mechanical work using steam as its working fluid. The steam engine uses the force produced by steam pressure to push a piston back and forth inside a cylinder. This pushing force can be transformed by a connecting rod and crank into rotational force for work. The term "steam engine" is most commonly applied to reciprocating engines as just described, although some authorities have also referred to the steam turbine and devices such as Hero's aeolipile as "steam engines". The essential feature of steam engines is that they are external combustion engines, where the working fluid is separated from the combustion products. The kit featured here is a very simplistic version of how steam power is converted into electrical energy that goes to power either industrial, commercial, or urban applications by the flywheel output being tethered to an electrical dynamo. The flywheel drives the dynamo drive shaft and the motion is converted into electricity  by using a rotating coil of wire and a magnetic field to convert mechanical rotation into electric current.

 

The kit
This is actually the second Retrol steam engine kit I've reviewed here, and I think this one is perhaps more suited to the beginner, s the setup procedure is so simple that it's pretty much foolproof. The info on the EngineDIY site says this:

 

"Following the impressive Beam Steam Engine Model Kit, this Horizontal Steam Engine Model Kit is another remarkable creation, giving you the opportunity to construct a fully functional miniature steam power scene and simulate an early industrial marvel. The steam engine features a classic horizontal single-cylinder design with forward and reverse switching capabilities. It comes paired with a highly polished brass boiler, complete with a steam whistle, steam handwheel cut-off valve, and spring-loaded safety valve. The iron baseplate is painted gray and supports a miniature generator that powers an industrial street lamp located at the rear of the boiler. A switch button on the base controls the lamp, illuminating the entire model when the steam engine is running. This is a perfect entry-level kit for hobbyists, providing the joy of assembly and the chance to experience the allure of steam power from the industrial age!"

 

The kit itself comes in a sturdy and very festive box with just the company name on the box lid. Inside the box, there are two foam trays of parts. Many of these parts are already pre-built assemblies, such as the boiler unit, street lamp head, piston box etc. There are also a good number of plastic bag containing the rest of the kit, as well as a small box containing bolts etc. Also included are the various drive belts/tubing and some tools required to build the kit. That's right, there's nothing else needed for this kit, except for some alcohol for fuel. Three printed sheets are also included for instructions and parts map.

 

 

 

First task is to bolt the cylinder and crank unit to the installation board. Just four bolts is all that's needed here and there's no real 'play' in anything that would need adjustment later.

 

This is now installed to the main base unit via pillars that give the mechanics some clearance that's seen to be needed for the flywheel etc. Also note that I've added the two bearing seats to the outboard lets of the installation board.

 

Bearings are now fitted to the two seats I just mentioned. At this point, this complicated-looking unit is needed. This is the valve shaft & crank.

 

 

This unit has the drive shaft inserted into the cylinder box. Before further work installing that unit, the adjusting handle is now inserted and the thumbscrew locked into position.

[James H]

The crank is now connected to the handle as shown here. 

 

 

 

And the rest is then located via the drive shaft, through the bearings, and trapping the flywheel in situ. Everything is tightened so that there I a little clearance between all the elements and nothing with rub against anything else.

 

 

Here you can see the opposite side of this assembly before the belt pulley is added.

 

 

The base for the street lamp is now bolted into place. This is a nicely turned, solid brass part.

 

 

And now the electrical generator is now bolted to the base.

 

.....followed by the electrical switch.

 

 

The lamp head now has its wired threaded down its pole and this is then inserted into the base of the lamp.

 

 

It's time to wire everything up. To do this, a neat little electrical connection block is included. All you need to do is lift each side of this and push into it the pre-stripped wire ends. 

 

 

Here you see the firebox being installed. 

 

Time for the main event....

[James H]

The boiler is securely seated above the firebox and metal straps are used to bolt this attractive assemble securely in place.

 

 

Lastly, the drive belt and silicone steam tubing are fitted. 

 

 

Here you see the completed engine! Very attractive, don't you think?

 

My next post will show the engine running. Come back very soon!

[James H]

And finally, my video:

 

 

Conclusion

I don't know whether it's because I come from 'Oop North' in an old mill town that makes me like steam engines or whether Fred Dibnah lives on through his lovely daughter who is a friend of mine, but there's something about the smell of these when they start running....the metal, the oil, the steam. It's magical. This kit really is the perfect intro to this genre as there's no finicky adjustments to make like there can be with the single beam engine. You can literally build this in a couple of hours and have it running shortly afterwards. I added about 50ml water to the boiler and 15ml of ethanol to the burner. It takes no more than 10 mins to heat up and then you open the steam valve, open/close the condensate valves, and off she goes!

 

I really do like this gorgeous little kit. A beauty, and deserves to be built and enjoyed, as well as making a nice shelf-sitter too. Most definitely recommended.

 

My sincere thanks to Engine DIY for this kit, sent for the purposes of review here on Model Ship World. To buy direct, click the link at the top of the topic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ccoyle]

Very cool!