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Model Steam Engines are replicas of a bygone era from mid 19th to the early 20th Century. Most are working models, that are static on work benches or replica farm sets. Some are made at 1/4 size and used for displays purposes.

Popularity
This hobby is extremely popular amongst amateur and professional engineers alike; who enjoy the application of simple engineering but none the less precision.

Location
Nearly all Country fairs, County Shows and similar farming events have a steam engine show, from bench top working models to 1/4 size replicas along side the originals.

Age
A mature hobby for the larger scale models, whilst the smaller bench top models still attract the very young as they venture into engineering.

Ability
Some would say you need skills or trades in the metal working industry, and a knowledge of precision engineering. You need to understand drawings and translate them to a scale, as well a certain understanding of lathe work and other engineering tools

Description
Model Engineering is the hobby of constructing machines in miniature. There is some debate about the appropriateness of the term. Some say that all 'engineers' should be professionally qualified as such; however, the historic meaning of 'engineer' is one who constructs or tends engines, and as such is a fitting epithet for those who make working models as a hobby. The 'classic' areas of interest are live steam models (typically steam locomotives, stationary engines and traction engines.

Dedication
Tools used for model engineering include the Lathe, the mill, the Shaper, and the drill press. Some say that all 'engineers' should be professionally qualified as such; however, the historic meaning of 'engineer' is one who constructs or tends engines, and as such is a fitting epithet for those who make working models as a hobby. A hobby that consumes many many hours, and a dedicated labour of love.

Potential
This hobby is originally a personal thing but usually becomes a much all consuming hobby. It has tremendous possibilities and potential for budding engineers and professional alike.

Closely Related Activities
Related activities are special lathe techniques, milling, welding, using a shaper, as well as mathematics and calculation. Being able to read drawings and translating the same into material objects.

Further Reading
There is information available on this subject through various clubs, where a lot of help can also be obtained.

Cost
One cannot put a price on this, small working models are a few pounds up to thousands on a bigger working model. The cost of tools are not cheap and again are dependant on the size of scale you intend building to.

Level of Demand
The table below shows the maximum levels of demand that this activity requires. NOTE: These are not entry levels or levels of requirement and has nothing to do with ability.

Energy

Arms

Legs

Sight

Hearing

Speech

Learning

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