Bob Gordon trained as an engineer and has an abiding passion for the power and motion of steam engines. Over the years this has been enhanced by working with steam engines ashore, serving on steam-powered ships afloat, operating model steam engines and driving model steam locomotives. He has also written two other books in the Shire Library series, 'Early Electrical Appliances' and 'Toy Steam Engines'.

Model engineering was popularised by pioneering steam enthusiasts, and rapidly grew into an exciting world-wide hobby for amateur engineers. This book describes how model steam engines work, outlines the development of the machine tools used to build the models, and investigates the seven different categories of model engines, which include models built to support patent applications, and those built purely for pleasure. The author, himself a model steam locomotive driver, also delves into the possible pitfalls and practicalities of scale model engineering. Generously illustrated, this is guaranteed to interest any aspiring engineer, as well as collectors of steam engines.