This model was crafted by ropemaker Thomas Averill in 1906.
He drew on the help of railway workers who knew the locomotives they worked on inside and out.
The result is a detailed model of Midland Compound, kindly lent to us by the Society of Model and Experimental Engineers.
April 22, 2020
Brass, Steel and Fire exhibition
Meet the humble makers who built the modern world from their kitchen tables, in Brass, Steel and Fire at National Railway Museum. We had to close Brass, Steel and Fire early due to COVID-19, so here are some highlights from the exhibition.
Photo via @RailwayMuseumBrass, Steel and Fire exhibition
Communication doesn't necessarily mean standing up and talking to a crowd of people 📢
Since the earliest days of railway engineering, the most common way to communicate was by creating miniature versions of reality... #ThisIsEngineering
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Why do we make things?
Hear from Rebecca the watchmaker, James the model maker and Katie the artist blacksmith, as they share the joy of creating.
See the full video in our Brass, Steel and Fire exhibition.
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Meet Hawthorn!
This much-loved 1851 model inspired Henry Greenly to popularise his hobby by packaging together drawings, patterns and castings.
Although the parts needed finishing before assembly, they were, in essence, the first model kits.
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Talking of objects of joy...
Even "Brass, Steel & Fire" sign is made from real miniature engineers' tools. Many of them were loaned by a staff member's father, who sadly died before the opening. But perhaps his tools will help to inspire others to pick up & use their own. (4/10)
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Behold! A Birmingham Dribbler!
So-called because these crudely-built meths-powered toy trains left a trail of fluids over the floor or table as they ran. Engines like ‘Pilot’ (c.1860-90) were the inspiration for Peter’s ‘Exploding engine’ in The Railway Children novel. (2/10)
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These models, known as 'Dribblers', were notorious for leaking burning methylated spirits in a trail behind them.
Find out more about these fascinating models and many more in our current exhibition, Brass, Steel and Fire. Here until 13 April.
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Have you ever tried to draw something entirely from memory?
The maker of this model locomotive crafted it from scratch using his memory alone, playing with proportions to create something unique.
This imaginative model was in our Brass, Steel and Fire exhibition.
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This wonderful locomotive was created by a shop to showcase their superb craftsmanship to its customers. You can discover this marvellous creation and many more at our Brass, Steel and Fire exhibition!
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This is the world's oldest working model steam engine, one of the stars of our latest exhibition.
16-year-old Thomas Greener crafted the model entirely by hand at engineering night school in 1836. He based it on the winding engine his father worked on in Etherley, Durham.
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This is Salamanca - the world's oldest model of a real locomotive - from Brass, Steel and Fire.
The cogs look a bit unusual, but they actually stopped the wheels from slipping! It's known as a rack and pinion locomotive.
Thank you to
for loaning Salamanca to us :)
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Meet Topsy, from Brass, Steel and Fire 😍
Visitors would flock to Wales to see Topsy in steam at the home of the Engineer of the Ffestiniog Railway Company, whose son helped build it.
The model helped spread narrow-gauge railways to mountainous areas across the globe.
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