Cyldon

Cyldon was the brand name for a range of model stationary steam engines, manufactured in Enfield, Middlesex, England between 1947 and 1951 by Sydney S Bird & Sons.

The designs were notable for their extensive use of non-ferrous metals, especially aluminium alloys, with very little steel used in most of the models.

All the engines were methylated spirit-fired with wick type burners, and all except the 13/3 were fitted with whistles.

Other Cyldon products included other toys, reels for magnetic tape and cine film, and variable capacitors.

The copper steam pipe exits from the bottom of the boiler inside the firebox, thus getting a very small degree of superheat.

Firstly, the overall layout, with the crankshaft, cylinder, boiler and burner all in line longitudinally, on a long thin wooden base.

The copper steam pipe exits from the bottom of the boiler inside the firebox, thus getting a very small degree of superheat.

The steam is fed directly to the back of the port face of the brass single acting oscillating cylinder.

The simple brass engine bracket is fixed to the aluminium base plate; which has a rubber foot at each corner.

The boiler is held onto the aluminium firebox with the single brass band typical of Cyldon practice.

The copper steam pipe exits from the bottom of the boiler inside the firebox, but does not pass through the flame, so gets no superheat.

At the other end of the crankshaft is a small pinion meshing with a larger gear wheel mounted on a short shaft in its own bracket, giving a 3:1 speed reduction.

The simple brass brackets are fixed to the long thin aluminium base plate, which has a rubber foot at each corner.

Steam feed is taken from the bottom of the boiler, through the burner flame for superheating, and out to a compression fitting on the valve chest.

Also at the flywheel end is a small pinion meshing with a larger gear wheel mounted on a bracket cast in with the engine frame, giving a slightly more than 2:1 speed reduction.