New Member

[rblacoste]

Not sure if this is the correct new member introduction, but hey I'm a new member, I'm new....

I was directed to this site as I have an interest in marine walking beam engines.  I've been looking for reference material for awhile and there is not a lot out there. There were hundreds of these engines built you would think that there would be original drawings of both the engines and the ships they powered, that is not the case.   I finally resorted to AI in the searching.  And AI found a link that took me to  a post here that mentions "Historic Models and Reproductions, LLC"  Which was taken over by one of the members here.  Oddly enough Historic Models and Reproductions, LLC before being bought was located a few miles from were I live.  Any way I'm here to further that search for marine walking beam engines.

As far as me,  Full shop in the barn with a Prototak DPM5 bed mill, and a 16 X 60 Bridgeport Romi lathe with a pieced together Aliexpress dro using 3m magnetic tape.  The read out is a little funky in what it outputs. I suspect its because I use inches and not mm in what I do.

Any way hi Im new.

[Kim]

Hi there! Welcome to MEM!

Looking forward to seeing what you build.

Hopefully, someone will have some info on what you're looking for here.  It's not me.    But I can say Welcome!

Kim

[Dave Otto]

Welcome to MEM!

Dave

[Jasonb]

One of the German suppliers does a beam engine that may meet your needs.

https://www.steamofsteel.de/p/gussteilsatz-phoenix

[CI]

I was thinking the "walking beam" engines had the overhead triangular-shaped truss-style beam.
The one Jason posted is a "side beam" engine.
I like both styles.
The German engine is very nice.

I prefer the side beam engine more than the walking beam style.
I have been working on a 3D model for the Mississippi gunship side beam engine, based on the original 1840 drawings, but have not completed it yet.
The intent is to cast a side beam engine.

The slow movement of the beams/low rpm is a fascinating thing for me, and these engines have a graceful and elegant feel to them.

.

[uuu]

I was thinking of the Dusenberg walking beam engine:


Wilf

[rblacoste]

Thanks for the responses.

The last image Casting Iron shows is the type that I am interested in.  I've been in contact with the Mariners Museum and park and may be able to get copies of the original drawings that "Models and Reproductions, LLC." used to create their walking beam engine.  There seems to be a number of these types of models out there.  Ticonderoga in Vermont, and In California the Eureka steamboat ferry.   Eureka is a floating museum and that ship was powered by a waking beam engine.  They have a model of the engine, and some drawings. If you ask really nice they might let you even crawl around inside of the ship to see the machinery.  (well at least I got to)  I have a video that I will try and compress to allow the file size allowed for posting     

[rblacoste]

Trimmed the video and saved it to a really low resolution.  It may be better to just take a bunch of screen shots

[CI]

That is a cool video, and a BIG engine !

.

[rblacoste]

The whole ship is impressive. 

[Roger B]

Welcome to the Forum   

These engines are outside my experience however there are members who can help you 

[rblacoste]

Thanks and dang, I just joined a few days ago and its says I am a full member.  I'm honored.  The Maritime Museum in Virginia has been in contact and said there were about 40 drawings related to a model of a walking beam engine that is on display at the museum. They are working on a price to get them copied and sent over.  Cant wait, this should be a fun project.  I've only finished a small Stuart vertical and that was over 20 years ago that I got on eBay. 

[rblacoste]

Meant to say Mariners Museum and park, and Not Maritime Museum

[Sanjay F]

Welcome from Essex UK, good to have you onboard and look forward to seeing your builds