Sold October 2005 Back to Archive

A well put together steam plant comprising a Stuart Sirius engine coupled to a purpose-built 8 inch diameter coal-fired boiler. The Sirius was designed for hard work, with a reputation as a bit of a steam guzzler - the boiler is thus a decent size and would be ideal for powering one or more other models.

Water feed is by a serious-sized hand pump with water tank.

The whole plant has been put together in sensible fashion, there is a drain for the water tank and blowdown on the boiler. The plumbing is somewhat meandering and could be made a little more ship-shape, although is entirely sound and functional.

The Sirius is from a wartime Alco Firefly generating set and has the distinctive push-pull steam valve, steam chest pressure gauge and threaded crankshaft nose used to couple to the generator. This could easily be coupled to another dynamo or pump, such as the Stuart centrifugal pump currently in stock. The engine is fitted with regulator valve and drain cocks, again standard on the generator sets.

For more information on the Sirius, look on my Stuart page. The boiler has a current Southern Federation certificate expiring November 2005, last hydraulic test was at 180psi for a working pressure of 80psi (bless 'em).

Base 23 x 16 inches
Boiler 8 inch diameter (beneath lagging)
Hand pump 7/8 inch bore
Working pressure 80 psi