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

Regarding the cylinders and heat...

  If you take a look around you will find that many 'Model' engines
have cylinders that are clad with an insulating material, in most
cases wood.  I've read that doing so increases the efficiency of
the engine.  I've also read that steam condensing in the cylinder,
which can often happen when steaming a cold engine, could cause a
hydraulic lock problem to occur.  So, a warm cylinder is a friendly
cylinder, so it seems.

  Maybe, you should start with simple steam engines, quick and easy
projects for someone who knows their way around a machine shop.
Try 'Making Simple Steam Engines' by Stan Bray as a reference.  It
covers simple engines and boilers.

Good Luck,
Wayne