model live steam in displays

A more to scale complete operating plant can be had for just a bit more than the machined kit, with more advanced plants also available.

For some real live steam action, check out these amusement park rides.

The ultimate of course is a live steam train.

Larry

That's a fascinating idea Rogerpete. There are some nice horizontal engines that could be used for near-scale installations. They could even be operational on air as you suggest. The drawback of air operation would be the speed of the engine; they run quite a bit faster than the full-sized engine they represent. With very accurate machining and great bearings, you might be able to slow the engine down enough to appear as the prototype. So, your idea of a geared electric motor driving the display makes much more sense - and would be a lot easier.

Neil 

Nice website!

The project is ambitious, but not impossible. 

A hiden DC motor can move all the pulley train and the steam motor too, to void the line pressure as peter said.

I don't think there is a 1/4 scale steam engine. And if there is one will be very expensive.

the pulley arbor is not that hard to make.

Andre.

The great thing about the concept- there were so many horizontal steam engines, variations, setups, uses etc, almost anything could be "scaled". I like the idea of slow speed running on the DC motor gear head. I love the idea of putting no walls around it, maybe a tin roof overhead in order to really see the entire project & the movement. Belts/rubber bands going to different shafts, with marker spots on the belts to really visually bring out the fact that they are moving. 

The engine link I used shows a 2.25" flywheel- scaled out would be a 10 footer. Not anything too big from the engines we have displayed around here or at the Henry Ford.

I think it is a great idea.  When I was 10 years old my Father put a little steam boiler on our layout with pulleys and all.  It was a little novelty toy.  I can't remember how it heated the water.  I think it was some kind of pellet and it was a blast.