Visitors to recent exhibitions in London will have been impressed by a model displayed on the SMEE stand of a typical 19th century beam engine. What looks to be an elegant model is, in fact, a maquette in 1:12 scale for a model that will be three times larger. It is Mitch Barnes’ design of an early industrial beam engine which would have pumped water or powered workshops, mines and small factories of various kinds. Many lasted into the 20th century.

It represents a 12 inch bore 30 inch stroke low pressure condensing beam engine of the Napoleonic period (1795-1815) when cast iron was coming into general use. The truncated pyramid design follows that of the earlier wooden framed engines.

It is to correct scale proportions, designed and built by Mitch from his own researches and painted, appropriately, in a Regency green colour. Resin castings are made from Mitch’s own moulds and patterns.