About Us.
The Cornish Miniature Steam Vehicle Club was founded in 1994 to cater for the folk who get enjoyment out of designing, building, running, or just being around miniature steam vehicles. This includes traction engines, steam rollers, steam lorries and steam cars.
Many owners of these engines buy them in a finished condition, but others start their association with their engine by deciding which of the hundreds of full-sized engines they would like to reproduce in small size. The reason why a particular engine may be chosen are almost as many as there are engines. It might be because there are drawings, as well as castings for the main parts, and perhaps a detailed description of exactly how to build all the parts that make up a working model. Alternatively it may be because they had some association with a particular type of engine way back in their childhood. If an engine is chosen which has not been modelled before it will be necessary to undertake a considerable amount of research into the design of the original full size engine. This can mean visits to libraries, museums and other archive stores etc. It may be possible to obtain copies of the original drawings. It will then be necessary to produce drawings for parts of the model. This can involve quite complex considerations, as it is not possible to scale everything from the full-sized engine. The boiler is a case in point.
When the drawings for the miniature have been produced it is then necessary to retire to the workshop and start cutting metal. Here, a great deal of help can be obtained from our club members as to exactly which is the best way to make, say, a flywheel, or a cylinder block, or the sheet metal-work associated with the tender. It should be pointed out that very impressive model engines are produced from simple workshops.
When eventually the model is fired and the engine turns under steam power for the first time, it is truly a magical moment and one that should be celebrated with your friends and club members.
Many owners of these engines buy them in a finished condition, but others start their association with their engine by deciding which of the hundreds of full-sized engines they would like to reproduce in small size. The reason why a particular engine may be chosen are almost as many as there are engines. It might be because there are drawings, as well as castings for the main parts, and perhaps a detailed description of exactly how to build all the parts that make up a working model. Alternatively it may be because they had some association with a particular type of engine way back in their childhood. If an engine is chosen which has not been modelled before it will be necessary to undertake a considerable amount of research into the design of the original full size engine. This can mean visits to libraries, museums and other archive stores etc. It may be possible to obtain copies of the original drawings. It will then be necessary to produce drawings for parts of the model. This can involve quite complex considerations, as it is not possible to scale everything from the full-sized engine. The boiler is a case in point.
When the drawings for the miniature have been produced it is then necessary to retire to the workshop and start cutting metal. Here, a great deal of help can be obtained from our club members as to exactly which is the best way to make, say, a flywheel, or a cylinder block, or the sheet metal-work associated with the tender. It should be pointed out that very impressive model engines are produced from simple workshops.
When eventually the model is fired and the engine turns under steam power for the first time, it is truly a magical moment and one that should be celebrated with your friends and club members.