The ‘Grand Junction 90’
Cornish Beam Engine
Kew Bridge Steam Museum
NEW MODEL - NOW AVAILABLE
This is a model of an unusual subject, of the world’s largest working beam engine. It was originally built in Cornwall in 1846 and assembled at what was the Grand Junction Waterworks at Kew, West London, one of the four engines there which served to pump London’s water. The Water Works has become Kew Bridge Steam Museum, and this engine has been lovingly restored to working order.
The engine is a vast cast iron monster, housed in its own three storey building. The beam is 12 metres in length, weighing 35 tons. This engine is known as the ‘90’, as the diameter of the cylinder is a huge 90”.Though intended never to be seen by other than a handful of engineers, those Victorian engine builders couldn’t resist covering the whole thing with rich architectural detail. The real engine can be seen at
The model shows part of two sides of the interior of the engine hall, with the main visible parts of the engine.The scale is 1:60, giving a baseboard size of 26 x 8 cm, and a height of 20cm. There are in all 120 components on six cards. Using entirely paper shafts and linkages, the beam and shafts move.
Model kit ordering information here
The beam stands on four great iron columns with the cylinder at one end and the pump at the other. Due to considerations of scale, the many other small moving shafts which operate various valve mechanisms have been omitted from the model.
The model will have potential for further detailing and for motorising. This prototype version is mounted on a box, in which is concealed a small electric motor, much gearing, a 6v battery and plenty of padding for sound insulation. The beam rocks slowly and magnificently back and forth.
And some views of the real engine.......
Roland Wagener from Germany is an enthusiast of Cornish Beam Engines. http://www.heeg.de/~roland/SteamEngine.html
His web pages contain some superb graphics, together with many links to sites of great interest devoted to beam engines, both from the UK and from around the world.
....and this is the beam itself. 39 feet in length, weighing 32 tons
Model kit ordering information here