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| Jensen Model # 51 Steam
Power Generation Plant |
Jeannette, PA, USA - Manufacture date:
1996
Bore = 1", Stroke 1 1/4", Flywheel diameter
= 5"
Style: Double Acting, horizontal |
Dimensions: 34" length x 24" width x 30"
height
(includes wood base) |
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Jensen Model #51 |
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As the Webmaster for the Jensen Steam Engine Manufacturing Company,
they naturally have a special place in my collecting activities.
The limited edition Model # 51 is extremely difficult to acquire for a private
collection. Jensen hand builds only 2 of these engines per year. They tend
to, almost exclusively, end up with electrical power companies as public
relations displays or university physics departments as teaching aides. Mine
is a bit unusual in that the water tower is labeled "Jensen" instead of bearing
the name of a power company or school. Needless to say, this engine is the
Crown Jewel of the collection and will hopefully pass down through the family
for many years. |
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The motor of the 51 is a show piece by miniature steam
engine standards. The cast iron base is massive and ruggedly constructed,
yet machined to fine tolerances to accept the highly detailed brass components
that make up the assembly.
The 5" flywheel is turned by a one inch bore cylinder, complete with an open
window cross head guide. It exhausts to a stainless condensation stack that
really amplifies the chuffing sounds given off under a heavy work load. A
working flyball governor lets you adjust the 51 to run at a preset self
regulating speed.
With its multiple PTO pulleys, driven at 1/25th HP, this machine can be adapted
to drive nearly any accessory you can adapt to a drive pulley. |
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The 51 Motor |
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The 51's 5 Inch Boiler |
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The boiler of a 51 is 5 inches in diameter and constructed
from nickel plated brass. For heating, it utilizes 3 immersion rod style
heater elements which are controlled by switches on the power plant's control
panel. Combined with the mechanically powered feed water pump, supplying
fresh water from the water tower, the 51 is capable of up to 8 hours of run
time at low speeds, making the engine a perfect for public displays.
A well seasoned 51 will run on as little as 6 pounds of pressure with steam
in reserve for those high speed temptations |
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Cylinder and Governor Valve Details |
The detail of the 51's design and the high caliber of craftsmanship by Tom
Jensen, Sr. and now, Tom Jensen Jr., separates it from the world of toy steam
engines by a major leap. |
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Feed Water Pump |
With such items as the linkage driven water pump and oiler cups, its obvious
that no corners were cut during the design and manufacture of this masterpiece. |
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The 51's Electronic Control Panel |
The Power Plant controls were a touch of genius supplied by Randy Calhoun,
who designed and still does all of the control installations for the
51's. The power plant is fully able to demonstrate the various electrical
effects which come into play as you put the 6 volt AC/DC generator to work
under various types and combinations of loads. |
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The AC / DC Generator and Saw Motor |
The various loads offered on the 51 include a DC saw motor and the highly
recognizable Jensen Lamp Post, which lights under AC and DC voltages to produce
different effects on the meters. Other, mechanical loads can be added via
the PTO pulley. |
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UPDATE:
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A Pair of Jensen Model #51's |
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For a brief period
in time, I became one of only a very
few steam addicts to ever actually
own 2 of these behemoths at the
same time. (not usually
recommended due to the amazing space
requirements) An email appeared
in my box one evening, asking if
I'd be interested in purchasing
a Jensen model #51. The sender went
on to explain that his father had
purchased the engine in 1983 and
had passed it down upon his death.
The owner was downsizing his accommodations
and had quickly determined that a Jensen
model #51 simply does not downsize
gracefully. After a bit of negotiation,
I agreed to purchase
the engine and drove to Florida
to pick it up.
Steam collectors
find that parting with a steam engine is difficult at anytime, but it's
doubly hard when it has a
sentimental family attachment to
it. I arrived at the fellow's home,
consummated the deal and the
model #51 and I soon departed Florida,
but not before solemnly promising that,
if sold, the engine would go to
a "good home".
Once
back at home,
a bit of minor restoration work
was undertaken to return the
engine to pristine
condition and to put it back in
excellent running
order. I now have a completely new level
of appreciation
for the ingenuity of Tom Jensen
Sr. and Randy Calhoun. I knew these
engines were well made, but the
level of attention to detail which
went into the designing and building
this marvelous engine can only really
be seen from the inside. The skills
required and the care taken in manufacturing
a model 51 are simply unsurpassed.
I've long
since sold the second Jensen #51
power plant, but I kept
my promise to the previous owner
and made sure that it found its
way into the hands of a voraciously loyal
Jensen collector. The engine now
holds a place of honor in one of the most
prestigious Jensen steam engine
collections to be found anywhere.
I hear it's kept well oiled, literally
steamed
every day and is said
to be rather happy
there.
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