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Norden is a model of a Victorian vertical stationary steam engine that was one of several left for scrap in the 1940s. It is based on a brief note in Model Engineer magazine. I worked out all the missing details and made my own castings.

 Nordern in Action

Model of Vertical Mill Engine

Norden as originally completed.

Although I had many of the dimensions, I had to work out lots of tiny details. I tried to follow traditional construction, such as using proper straps and cotters for the connecting rod bearings.

Close up of the crankshaft and governor gears

Some details of the crankshaft of Nordern

The build was written up for Model Engineer, including fully detailed drawings and a great detail of how I 'filled the gaps' and appeared in even numbered issues of ME from 4454 to 4472.

Norden on the cover of Model Engineer issue 4456

I suppose this makes me a model engineer...

Some time after completing the model, I discovered the engines of John Chadwick, including one preserved by the Northern Mill Engine Society. I am quite pleased that my model isn't too far removed from these 'real' engine and the original of Norden was surely a John Chadwick engine?

A victorian advertisement for John Chadwick engines, probably more recent than Nordern

A Victorian advert for Chadwick Engines

If you want to build a model of Norden, the castings are available from Blackgates Engineering (my patterns, but I have no financial connection). The castings could also be used to model various other styles of engine - I plan to make a four-column vertical engine with my spare set.

Castings for a 1:12 Vertical steam engine

A full set of Norden castings

I was never very happy with my 'rough and ready' concrete base - but I discovered a source of suitable scale 'sandstone flags' and just a small packet of these enabled me to transform the setting of the engine. That's where the story of Nordern ends for now.

Vertical Mill Engine Nordern as completed

Norden on its flagstone base

DOWNLOAD FREE A4 PLANS BOOKLET FOR NORDEN HERE

Category: Model Engineering