Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

On rare occasions the ravages of time and scrap heaps leave an engine of some importance
so unscathed that it deserves to be written home about. Every so often ebay will cough up such a gem.
This is such an engine. The photos were not great and it was crud covered and nearly black all over
until I began the task of removing eons of grease impregnated dust that coated nearly all of it.
This one is not restored nor does it need it. A gentle and thorough cleaning with hand polishing of the bright
metal and an eye towards preserving the delicate paint work was in order. I would call this one a keeper. 
Turns out the years of crud protected a pristine and unused 1880's small steam engine. I am told these
were working steam engines sold by Goodnow and Wightman of Boston in the 1880's and it was thought
that this one may have been a company show sample displayed in their front window and that it was
pictured in one of their catalogs. I am still looking for a catalog that shows it without success.
I was planning on disassembling, stripping off paint, etc until I found
this magnificently and ornately decorated piece under the crud.
It shall remain as is!

Gil