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January ’21

Miniature Steam Engine

August’s ‘Object of the Month’ is a miniature steam engine, which was researched and conserved by Rowan Gillis in 2015.

Steam Engine Before Conservation

Miniature steam engines were often replicated in miniature, initially as prototypes and for educational purposes. They were later adapted for recreational enjoyment and were popular during the Victorian and Edwardian periods. Originally mass produced in Germany, the British shunned German made miniature steam engines after two World Wars and British made miniature steam engines began to enter the market.

This particular model was manufactured by SEL and is a Minor 1520 type, their smallest model and was possibly produced between 1946 and 1964. The idea of the model was to replicate the mechanical action of a steam engine by converting steam pressure into mechanical energy.

The brass chamber would be filled with water and heated. As steam is formed pressure is exerted in the chamber and steam pressure is forced into the outlet pipe. The steam is then pushed towards the cylinder, which begins to oscillate; driven by motion from the crankshaft.

Click on the link to see a video of a miniature steam engine in motion: https://youtu.be/joq1iZ8Q7mQ

Steam Engine After Conservation
Condition
  • Paint loss
  • Areas of metal corrosion
  • Several areas of brass pipe had broken.
Conservation

There were a number of areas of metal corrosion and paint loss on the object as well as several areas of damage that needed to be addressed before the object would be suitable for display. The object was disassembled before conservation as this would maximise the effectiveness of the treatments undertaken. Testing began and the metal components were primarily cleaned using a suitable abrasive material with a lubricant in order to remove the patches of corrosion and tarnish without scratching the original surface of the metal. These areas were then rinsed with a solvent suitable for metals to remove any residue.

A number of damaged areas were soldered in order to strengthen them as they had potentially failed from original use or deterioration in storage. Original solder was removed using a soldering iron and new solder paste with flux was applied to the joints and fixed in place using a miniature blowtorch.

Due to Beamish Museum desiring the object to be in working order so it can join their teaching and handling collection the decision was made to repaint the miniature steam engine. This would help to ensure the objects future survival if the object was used as originally intended. The boiler and heat box were coated in high temperature paint, which would prevent peeling and flaking if heat was used to operate the miniature steam engine. The remaining sections, which would not be as affected by heat, were coated using enamel paint.

Stay tuned for next month’s object!