Steam engine kits from USA.

[Walter Snowdon]

While reading a Garden Railway magazine, I saw an advert for a twin cylinder engine kit which realy looks the works for a paddler and VERY cheap ! I looked up the makers web site and boy, does it look the Part! There is masses of drawings and photos of this engine (and three others) including the complete construction Manual, very much worth looking at. Have any of our American friends have any experience of this company or seen one of their engines?.
 Look at           www.grahamind.com and enjoy!. Regards, Walter.

[TFL45]

Walter,

I've assembled the single cylinder version - the VR1A. It also has the Stephenson reversing linkage.

The kit was delivered promptly, was very well machined and went together without any difficulty.

I've only operated it on compressed air, so can't speak to its performance with steam. Also, it is quite a small model (just a little over 3-1/2" high) so not sure what sort of power it would produce, although the twin would obviously be much more capable.

Here are a couple of videos - same model, just better lighting and fancier production for the second video!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=C9y0UMnskKs

http://youtube.com/watch?v=8LtbtAW9ZaM

Cheers,

Floyd

[Carl MAlone]

I've owned several of these engines over the years in model trains and have been well pleased.  Here is a video of one running in a geared logging engine. Not a steam boat but you get to see the engine running. Well worth the price.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=kvWJNRBI7tA

Steam is good,
Carl Malone
San Angelo, Texas