Hello from New Member

[mattsboats]

Hi I'm Matt and I am looking to find out about where I can get a blueprints for a walking beam vertical engine. I am building a model of the Mary Powell and want to know if I can either the blueprints or a place where I can purchase the engine along with the wheel. Does anyone know where to direct me?

[Dinosaursoupman]

Hello Matt,

Welcome to the group. We've recently been discussing walking beam engines so take a look at this thread; http://www.paddleducks.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=3613.0 Included in the thread are some links to drawings of the walking beam engine of the CHAMPLAIN OF ERIE as well as a video as to how a walking beam engine works. Here's  another drawing of a walking beam engine, this one from the FRANCIS SKIDDY; http://www.servicehistorique.sga.defense.gouv.fr/medias/planbato/GM16PL0818.tif.
Although these drawings don't have dimensions, you should be able to scale them to the size of the engine you're trying to build. 

Do you already have the drawings of the MARY POWELL or are you looking for these too? If you already have them, I would think they would come with a diagram of the engine included.

I guess the next question would be: Are you planning on building a working engine: i.e. steam powered?

As far as getting a model or prefabricated, I hate to put a damper on your dream, but, there is no commercially available one that I know of (at least, not for the type the MARY POWELL would have used). There was a one-of-a-kind replica available recently (you'll find the link in the above thread) that was built in 1880, but it's already sold. To build an accurate working model of one today would probably cost as much to build as the original back then.

On Amazon.com, look for the booklet, "Paddle Wheel Steamers And Their GIANT ENGINES" by Bob Whittier, ISBN-911401-00-8. It has a drawing of the MARY POWELL as well as several drawings of walking beams.

Randy

[mattsboats]

Thank Randy, I appreciate