Why do the first electric motors look like model steam engines?

Because the early electrical pioneers tried to copy steam engine technology.

In their efforts too harness the newly discovered “electricity” they took a model steam engine and replaced the steam components with electro magnets and they replaced the timing valves found on a model steam engine with cam operated interrupters. There are many examples of these early electric engines in museums around the world.

The Old Model Company produce a superb series of fully working, detailed historic engine kits for you to collect and make at home.

Each one is based on an original design from the period 1836-1860 and is an honest representation of how the first electrical pioneers tried to copy steam engine technology.

Our collection of model engines traces the fascinating history of electro-magnetic engines, from the earliest days through to the breakthrough into rotary motion which would lead to the modern electric motor.

You, your children and your grandchildren can now build and own their own special piece of history.

All of our fully working engine kits are electro-magnetic and work on batteries. Almost all the parts are made in England, have their own unique serial number and are individually hand-packed in West Sussex and then sent directly to you.

Designed for easy assembly with hand tools.

• You won’t need machinery or soldering for our kits, just hand tools.
• Each kit comes with a comprehensive manual which contains detailed assembly instructions and illustrations, and provides you with your own personal construction record.
• Our specially designed packaging transforms into a practical and neat assembly jig for you to use and build. Makes moving it around the house vary easy and keeps all the parts in one place.
• The parts come in numbered plastic bags which correspond with the assembly stages in your instruction manual.
• We also supply you with an extra spares pack of the smaller parts in case you loose any during the construction and with a BA spanner tool as you probably don’t have one.
• All our electro-magnetic engine kits are clean, do not produce any unpleasant smells, are reasonably quiet and work on safe low DC voltages, typically 4.5-6 volts.