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30 Steam
Dave Page Engineering 31
Steaming
Full Steam
Ahead!
Ahead:
David Page
Engineering
When we think of steam, we often think of
the white mist that streams out of our kettle
as we wait anxiously for it to boil, but steam
that can be used as a source of energy is
actually vaporised water. This completely
invisible gas has a temperature of around
100 degrees Celsius at standard atmospheric
pressure, and occupies about 1,600 times
the volume of liquid water.
The Ancient Greeks were the first to
recognise and harness the power of steam
when Hero of Alexandria used a kind of
turbine to produce, what many must have
thought of as a magical event, the automatic
opening of temple doors. This knowledge
was lost with the Greek civilization and
didn’t emerge again until Thomas Savery,
an English military engineer and inventor
patented the first crude steam engine in
1698.
However, the most notable contributor to
the history of the steam engine is James
Watt, a Scottish inventor and mechanical
engineer. He made significant improvements
to the steam engine including the 1769
patent for a separate condenser connected
to a cylinder by a valve. Unlike previous
engines, Watt’s design had a condenser that
could be cool while the cylinder was hot.
Watt’s engine soon became the dominant
design for all modern steam engines and
helped bring about the Industrial Revolution.
Steam power has dwindled in popularity
over the last century with diesel and electric
trains replacing steam in the years following
World War II. However, with increased
awareness, and media coverage, of how
much carbon we’re emitting into the air as
we travel, steam-powered rail travel is once
again increasing in popularity.
The steam engine still plays an important
part in today’s industrial society. Nuclear
energy could not be harnessed without the
use of a steam engine, as nuclear reactor
does not directly generate mechanical or
electrical energy. It simply heats or boils the
water. It is the steam engine that converts
the heat energy into useful energy.
For those looking for a day out that
combines old-fashioned charm with views of
Britain’s beautiful scenery, a visit to one of
our country’s many steam railway attractions
is a must. There are many locations up and
down the country where you can take a trip
back in time and enjoy a ride on one of the
oldest forms of transport.
Nowadays there’s a whole steam revival
happening across the UK and there are
a great number of museums and rallies
offering visitors the chance to learn all
about our country’s railways. Although the
many summer steam rallies, that take place
up and down the country, with full-size
relics and miniature replicas on display, have
finished for 2010, you can still recapture the
memories of a by-gone era by visiting one of
the many restored heritage railways that can
be found in and around the Reflect region.
You could even take up a steam related
hobby. Hobbies are good for us, keeping our
minds active and stimulated whilst we’re
away from work. A study, conducted in 2009
by the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, found that
engaging in a hobby, like knitting, making a
patchwork quilt, or even reading a book can
delay the onset of dementia – what better
reason could you need?!
A Modern Business
With A Future Firmly Based In The Past
Based in the county of Lincolnshire, Lynx
Model Works is a thriving specialist Precision
Engineering business, specialising in Steam
Engines of all kinds. Formed in 2002 by John
Clarke, the recently expanded Lynx Model
Works workforce of 14 engineers produce
beautiful models and full-sized steamboat
engines and their component parts, including
fully tested coal-fired boilers.
In the last six years, they have built some 45
live steam locomotives for discerning clients,
in all gauges from gauge 1 to 10 ¼” gauge. All
are coal fired, passenger-hauling replicas of
famous full-sized locomotives from the past.
Real Live Steam Coal Fired locomotives are
made in any gauge/scale from 2 ½” to 10 ¼”
Gauge to individual order. Traction Engines
to 4” scale, Model and full-size Stationery and
Steam Launch Engines are also produced to
order. All products built and offered by Lynx
Model Works are customer driven, as they
specialise in producing individual items to
fulfil client’s wishes.
John is extremely experienced; he has over
38 years’ experience in producing live steam
locomotives, traction engines, stationary and
steam launch engines. It’s this experience
combined with his knowledge and his
excellent workforce that has led Reflect to
award Lynx Model Works with an Annual
Diamond Certificate of Recognition 2010.
On hearing the news, John said: “We’re
delighted to receive this Annual Certificate. It’s
nice to know that other people recognise the
excellent quality of our products, which we
are extremely proud to produce. I’m looking
forward to the future of the company and
offering something unique.” Last year Reflect
also awarded Lynx Model Works with a
Certificate of Recognition for Engineering
Services.
Lynx Model Works is an Association of
Companies, including Lynx Model Works Ltd,
Lynx Model Boilers Ltd, Lynx Model Paint and
Machining Services Ltd, Live Steam Kits Ltd
and Lynx Model Restorations Ltd.
T: 01507 479666 | W: www.lynxmodelworks.
co.uk | E: info@lynxmodelworks.co.uk
Ever since building his first steam
engine at school, David Page has
held a lifelong passion for engineering
and steam locomotives. So, what
better way to turn his passion into a
business than by establishing Page
Engineering…
Founded over ten years ago, and
with the engineering discipline
that underpins their designs and
production, Page Engineering are THE
specialists in Burrell Road Locomotives.
They consider that the Burrell Road
Locomotive, along with the Burrell
Scenic Showman’s Engine, represents
the peak of design and function in the
field of traction engines.
Page Engineering is bucking the
current market trends – in March 2009,
they moved into a new workshop.
David told us why he’s decided to
move from the place he’s spent the
last 10 years: “Firstly, my workshop
space was split over two sites, meaning
production wasn’t as efficient as it
could be. Secondly, the workshop
space had become increasingly
cramped over the last few months we
were there – I came to the conclusion
that we’d outgrown the Newcastle
Emlyn site so it was time to move. I
found a brand new factory unit at
Llandysul Enterprise Park in Ceredigion
that was perfect. It was a big operation
to move everything but we settled in
quite quickly.”
Only buying in the casting, every other
aspect of the engine is built by David:
“We build every single piece and even
manufacture the gears. In addition
to the individual parts, we can supply
fully assembled and finished units, like
wheels and boilers.”
Offering individually handcrafted, half
size versions of these classic engines
(this is six-inch scale), Page Engineering
build to the highest standards and their
services are available across the UK.
David not only specialises in steam
engines, but he also applies his skills to
the restoration of steam engines, as
well as developing a complete single
cylinder version of the engine, which is
cheaper and less work. A full range of
six-inch castings is available and they
also offer:
• A fully certified boiler
construction service
• A full wheel building and
assembly service
• Full gear cutting service
• A high quality machining
facility to fabricate your personal
requirements
Due to the rapidly changing cost of
some of the materials used, prices
do vary. However, Page Engineering
guarantee the best service, with the
quality reflected in the price.
David adds: “Customer care is
important to us, and we strive to offer
a flexible and supportive service at
all times. I enjoy doing what I do and
approach every new job with the same
enthusiasm I had twenty years ago!”
As part of a new development, David
recently embarked on a project to
develop a complete single cylinder
version engine. Inspired by the
construction of an agricultural engine
back in 1899, David explained more: “I
usually work on two cylinder engines,
however I thought it would be quite
a good idea to construct a single
cylinder version. I recently attended
the Great Dorset Steam Fair, and after
mentioning my plans to a few people,
I have had enormous interest and
several orders, even though they are
still in development! I really enjoy doing
what I do and I see this as a completely
new and exciting challenge!”
Reflect recently awarded Dave
with an Annual Bronze Certificate of
Recognition as a reward for all his hard
work over the years.
For more information, contact Page
Engineering
Tel: 01559 364 807
Mobile: 07791 479633
Email: info@davidpageengineering.co.uk