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by Marshall Brain

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Brain, Marshall.  "How Steam Engines Work"  01 April 2000.  HowStuffWorks.com. <http://science.howstuffworks.com/transport/engines-equipment/steam.htm>  11 February 2012.
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Inside this Article
  1. Introduction to How Steam Engines Work
  2. Steam Engine Operation
  3. Boilers
  1. Lots More Information
  2. See all Engines & Equipment articles

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Inside this Article
  1. Introduction to How Steam Engines Work
  2. Steam Engine Operation
  3. Boilers
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Prices: Steam Engine Books

  • American Steam Engine Builders
    American Steam Engine Builders

    Here is the companion volume to Ken Cope's previous works on machine tools, carriage making machinery and cooperage machinery. Factories filled with the machinery described in the previous works, from the smallest drill presses to giant planers, could not have existed without a reliable and sufficient power source. The steam engine was that source, from the start of the industrial revolution to the general availability of electric power distributed from large, central generating stations in the early 20th century. Smaller size engines, made for farms and small industries such as cheese factories, greatly reduced the manpower required and therefore the cost of the final product to the consumer. The nearly 1000 illustrations show the development of the steam engine from 1800 to 1900 in a great variety of sizes, styles, and designs. Many designs shown proved impractical and were soon discarded; other designs such as the Corliss engine were made by scores of firms for scores of years. Along with the illustrations is a brief history of the individual maker, chronicling the various engines that each made.

    $29.95

  • Modern Steam Engines
    Modern Steam Engines

    Joshua Rose was a mechanical engineer, and his 1887 book is a classic in its field, giving full details of the construction of the modern steam engines of his day, and illustrating their operation with clear and understandable drawings. Filled with fascinating engravings, this book features simple explanations about the operations of various valves, valve motions, link motions, and much more. This is truly a book no steam enthusiast should be without. 322 pages, 8-1/2 x 11, over 300 line art illustrations, soft cover.

    $29.95

  • The Antique American Steam Gauge
    The Antique American Steam Gauge

    The age of steam engines brought with it the ever-present possibilities of horrendous explosions. It was no surprise, then, that around the middle of the 19th century, the steam gauge made its appearance and soon was found wherever a steam engine was used. Steam gauges were used everywhere, in great numbers and varieties. Some were strictly utilitarian in appearance; others were beautiful decorated. They were manufactured to perform multitudes of tasks, and one of the most interesting facets of steam gauge collecting is determining just what task your gauge was designed to do. Author Barry David provides an enormous amount of information in this book that helps the collector learn about his gauge: when it was made, what job it was designed to do, how it did this job, who made it, and for what company it was made. There are chapters on The Gauge Makers, Discovery (learning the basic facts about a particular gauge), Cleaning and Restoring Steam Gauges, Railroad Gauges, Fire Engine Gauges, Portable and Traction Engine Gauges, Marine (Nautical ) Gauges, Press Gauges, Gauge Appliances and Recorders, and Gauge Patents. There is also a section with color pictures as well as a Bibliography and Index. If you are a collector, or a student of technological history, you will find this book to be an invaluable addition to your library. 304 pages. 8-1/2 x 11 . B&W pictures plus color insert. Soft cover. (2003)

    $35.00

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