Steam Engine

PIRA 4F30.20

The steam engine shown at left uses an electric heater to boil water in the boiler.  Take out the safety valve (top right of the boiler cylinder in the picture) to fill.  Fill until the water level is about halfway up the window on the end of the boiler.  Plug it in, put the safety valve back, close the valve to the piston, and leave the valve to the whistle (top middle of the boiler cylinder in the picture) open.  When the sound is loud and continuous, close the whistle valve and open the valve to the piston.  You might have to give the piston a little push to get it started.  It is useful to demonstrate that the engine continues to work long after the electric heater is unplugged.  Please empty the water out of the boiler after it cools down.  Some of the components are susceptible to rust.