Stuart Major Beam engine: mystery valve rod /lever

Hello. Has anyone seen a valve lever of "lattice work" which doesn't appear fabricated but is cast. This lattice lever tapers from the cam eccentric to the throttle valve at the base of the cylinder. This is part of what appears to be a vintage model with nice machine work. I can follow with a photo once the moderator approves my album.

Stuart says they are unaware of this variation.

Thanks,

Roland

Sounds more like the one from "Lady Stephanie" or "Vulcan" though not sure if they are cast or fabricated but definately of the long tapered lattice design.

Pop up a photo and we can have a better stab at it.

Edited By JasonB on 12/03/2015 07:45:05

Certainly sounds like a Lady Stephanie, but it's fabricated. not cast.

Neil

Here are two photos of the engine in question.

Not the best picture but I don't think it is a Stuart Major,

The Major has two decorative bands on the cylinder not one, the pump is missing though there is a hole in the base for one, base of column does not look to have the same decorative details, bronze arm on the crank would be CI on the Major.

Whats the flywheel diameter? and do you have an overall photo?

J

I think that may be the ME beam engine and as such a lot of people may have made their own interpretations of the plans without using castings.

www.ajreeves.com/model-engineer-beam-engine-me-beam-307-c.asp

Neil

The Stuart Major was originally an ME design in about 1916 by George Taylor so could be that rather than the later Stuart version. Likewise teh "ME Beam" was originally a George Gentry design of 1909

J

Edited By JasonB on 12/03/2015 19:25:00

Thanks Jason,

That's made me spend a half hour digging in idenxes and on Google!

Here's some more history, but probably not the full story:

George Gentry copied a model he saw in a shop window and wrote it up in ME in 1914.

Oliver Smith/'Exactus' came up with a modified version of the ME Beam engine in 1959. This is the version Reeves do.

H A Taylor redesigned it in 1968 and Stuarts brought it out as the Major Beam.

E. J. winters sold the Major Beam plans and castings under license from Stuart in Australia.

Winters currently list the Bolton #12 which is very similar, but apparently a little larger(!)

www.ejwinter.com.au/image/data/pdf/E%20J%20Winter%20ME%20Supplies%20Catalogue%20July%202011.pdf

So potentially several versions, plus the original inspiration!

You pays yer money and takes yer choice!

Neil

Almost Neil.

The ME beam is a smaller engine than the Stuart Major which is the same stroke as Winters but there is 1/8" difference in the bore. Think the ME is about 2/3rds teh siz eof teh big stuart.

Yes, I should have mentioned the Reeves one is a fair bit smaller - I assume it was reduced to let it fit on a Myford.

I can't think of any other design that has so many variations that isn't based on a real prototype.

Neil

       This is another picture of this engine. The engine is for sale on an auction site and so I am using the listing's pictures.

I have built a number of gasoline model engines over the years but have more recently gotten interested in steam. Something about the quiet, dignified way that they go about their business is just more relaxing and a nice change.

I understand that the type of model I am asking about has been around, in one form or another, for a long time with a complicated pedigree.

I don't, as a rule, buy made engines, preferring to build them myself as that is the most satisfying for me but this old one has me intrigued and looks like it might make a nice restoration project.

Anyway. I appreciate the offered comments and hope the added pictures are of interest.

Edited By Roland GAGE on 13/03/2015 00:42:44

Why do many beam engines have that chequerboard pattern on the top of the plinth ?

Its to represent the old victorian tiled floors. Not too hard to replicate if you want to try it on one of your models, see post #29 here

You could also use this. Other designs are available just Google " dolls house floor tiles"

And now for the rest of the story.........This engine sold at auction today on Ebay for just north of $8000 US and no, I was not the succesful bidder! My pitiful offering was brushed aside in a heartbeat.

After I recover from shock I think I will contact my insurance company and raise my coverage as well as hire a security guard and adopt a vicious guard dog to watch over my little family of engines.

Again, thanks for the comments.

(With apologies if a member of this forum is the happy new owner!)

I am quite surprised at the price ! Surely there are many old model beam engines around ? You could even commission somebody to make you one for less than that. Do these things have antique value like furniture ?

The Major Beam is £885 ($1,304) for a set on unmachined castings.

If Stuarts sold a ready to run version (which they don't) at proportionately the same extra cost as the 10V (£81/£552) it would cost over $8000.

Neil

Edited By Neil Wyatt on 14/03/2015 17:48:39

I'll make you one for $7999

I'll have to go and look at the e-bay listing, does look a bit smaller than a Major.

J