Stirling power

Keith S · Post by **Keith S** » Sat Apr 09, 2016 1:50 am

I was looking at a video of a cheap little stirling engine recently, and though of how it might be a novel power source for a model of a small diesel shunter or something like that. These engines make a "pock pock pock" sound that reminds me of a rough little diesel or petrol engine.

Has anyone ever thought along these lines? I've seen stirling-powered model train engines before, but always rather grand affairs. I'm thinking of a little narrow gauge fart-cart- might be kind of charming pottering along powered by a tea candle.

KNO3 · Post by **KNO3** » Sat Apr 09, 2016 6:32 pm

If you like a popping sound, you might want to consider a vacuum engine as well (a flame licker).

Big Jim · Post by **Big Jim** » Sat Apr 09, 2016 7:44 pm

"Narrow Gauge Fart-Cart"
I like it
Funnily enough I have thought along this line myself. I have built a couple of Stirling engines myself over the year and the small ones don't seem to have much power. I think you would be looking at a nice gear train or chain drive to use any power that comes from a small model Stirling.

It would be fun to build and interesting to watch as well.

Go for it.

Boustrophedon · Post by **Boustrophedon** » Sat Sep 03, 2016 9:48 pm

There was a small stirling engined loco serialised in the Model Engineer some years back called "Caloric".

Keith S · Post by **Keith S** » Sun Sep 04, 2016 2:12 am

Do you know anything more about it? What did it look like?

GTB · Post by **GTB** » Sun Sep 04, 2016 12:01 pm

Keith S:119879 wrote:Do you know anything more about it? What did it look like?

The online ME index lists a two part article on designing a hot air loco, published back in '92. Not a back issue that I have though.

http://www.itech.net.au/modelengineer/index.php

Apart from that, there is a bloke in Brisbane, Oz, who sells kits online for various hot air engine models, including something that can be loosely described as a 'loco'. Looks like the sort of home made affair you might see looming out of the morning mist on an Aust., or NZ, timber tram.

http://stores.ebay.com.au/thechickenpat ... 6113410015

His kits aren't the screwdriver assembly type, just a box of materials and a wad of drawings, so require a workshop to complete. I have contemplated getting one of his hot air traction engine kits and fitting it with flanged wheels, but usually think better of it the light of day.....

I haven't looked at his store for a while. It seems he is now selling some models in RTR form as well as the kit and he currently has a loco listed. I've not seen one of these running, but there is some performance data listed in the description of the RTR model.

Not sure if he exports, but some of the models are also available from one of the ME suppliers in Aust.

Regards,
Graeme

rebelego · Post by **rebelego** » Thu Sep 08, 2016 4:55 pm

http://www.hielscher-dampfmodelle.de/de ... i-Draisine

Boustrophedon · Post by **Boustrophedon** » Sat Sep 17, 2016 8:59 am

Keith S:119879 wrote:Do you know anything more about it? What did it look like?

This!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1MZ42FcP_k

Big Jim · Post by **Big Jim** » Sat Sep 17, 2016 8:56 pm

Wow, bang goes my theory about getting much umph from a small Stirling

.

Killian Keane · Post by **Killian Keane** » Tue Dec 27, 2016 11:54 pm

Was that not the same engine class shown by the gentleman specialising in bridges in 'the garden railway' tv series? Charming little thing

Boustrophedon · Post by **Boustrophedon** » Wed Dec 28, 2016 11:00 am

Killian Keane:121853 wrote:Was that not the same engine class shown by the gentleman specialising in bridges in 'the garden railway' tv series? Charming little thing :D

Yes it was. Possibly the same actual engine?

Killian Keane · Post by **Killian Keane** » Wed Dec 28, 2016 11:19 am

Boustrophedon:121854 wrote:
Killian Keane:121853 wrote:Was that not the same engine class shown by the gentleman specialising in bridges in 'the garden railway' tv series? Charming little thing :D
Yes it was. Possibly the same actual engine?

I recall the other one being yrllow and fired by a pencil torch, but not outside possibility

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