The Steam Car Club of Great Britain

Page two

Click here to see short video of 10.25 gauge Locomotive built by John Wilks.
He is building his next locomotive using Stanley type burner

Click here to see latest progress on 735B

THE 1943 KEEN STEAMLINER UNDERGOING RESTORATION

The Keen is begining to look like its old self again.

A proud Mr Keen with his first car
The finished car used by Mr Keen seen here in the 1950's

Next job, make a proper seat frame
The moment I have been working towards
about to hit the start button for the first trip under steam

Next job, seat frame and get brakes working properly
At last a dry day, after many years the Keen moved under steam power
and we have been able to try it around the estate. First impression of the car
it has a solid feel about it, now we will start fine tuning the controls and general set-up.

Next job, final checking of brakes so that it can be driven
As you can see the condenser and other parts have been fitted and pipework connected
The burner ran much better, only needing a quick shot of petrol to start we ran it up to 500psi
At this pressure the safety valve lifted, we ran the engine with an indicated 15 MPH
the safety valve has now been set, over the next few days, I will get the seats fitted
and we will try it around the estate

Work in hand. Final wiring of lights etc
The instrument panel has been completed, with all gauges working

A few leaks to sort out
Boiler flushed out, and filled ready for first firing,
Burner fired, first steam within 30 seconds,
and engine turned over on steam for the first time in 25 plus years

"Quick Time" Movie, Click here

WOW! Test firing the burner for the first time, only a few seconds!

Photo Gallery click on thumbnails for larger picture

Plumbing and steam trap being worked on

1924 Brooks Maintenance

Boiler mounts fabricated, and boiler installed

The instrument panel taking shape

Maintenance on the Brooks, Boiler cleaning tank set up with mains driven pump pumping in strong detergent through one blow down connection, while draining through the other three, followed by Caustic Soda boiled up using main fire, followed by thorough flush out with water, boiler dried by few seconds of main fire then five gallons of paraffin pumped in, will allow to stand for some time. see thumbnail above.

Click Here
The Plymouth-based Keen Steamliner steam powered car

Click here to go to Keen Steamliner No:-2

The Steam Car Club of Great Britain caters for owners of steam cars and steam cycles old and new. You do not have to own a steam car or cycle. Perhaps you want one, or are just interested in these vehicles or in their further development.

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Click here to go to workshop page 4

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