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

This is the second model Fanning I've had. I didn't make either of them but did a lot of cosmetic work to make them look at run more like the real engines. The biggest "problem" I've had is slowing them down as the models run so fast as to be a blur and many times faster than a scale speed. On the first one I tried everything--increasing the "head" or load on the pump, reducing burner to a minimum, installing a heavier iron flywheel in place of the aluminum one, etc. Nothing worked; it was either full on or off with nothing in between. I thought this might have something to do with the physics of the model until a second one came my way. And without any effort on my part, it runs at scale speed, about 140 rpm! Don't ask me why--I have no idea, some difference it its construction I suppose.

https://youtu.be/QiC2NEUQUfo

Now if you want to see the real thing with a whopping 1 hp of power and pumping about 700 gallons per hour:

https://youtu.be/Rk2RQ2EDZpE