Colin Laker refers to this engine as "the Cameo steam engine", which begs the question, was Cameo the name of the company or the model? Perhaps both. It's a close copy of the Bowman M158 but differs in many details. Unfortunately, I don't have an M158 in my collection for direct comparison.
The boiler is 103mm long x 45mm diameter and made of brass. It has a safety valve and chimney but no other fittings. The meths burner is a circular mesh vapourising type. Steam exits through a pipe in the bottom of the boiler but doesn't pass through the flame. The pipe terminates in a compression fitting on the back of the port face. The oscillating cylinder is 10mm bore x 19mm stroke and is single acting. The piston is connected to a simple bent rod type crank. The crankshaft has a 38mm diameter solid brass flywheel and an 8 tooth pinion gear between the frames, and an 11mm diameter pulley outside the frame. The pinion gear engages with a 56 tooth gear, giving a 7:1 reduction ratio. The 56 tooth gear is fitted on a second shaft, which also has an 11mm diameter pulley. The whole is mounted on a flat steel base with Meccano standard holes around the edge (rather inaccurately drilled!) At the time of writing, I have not yet tested the engine but the previous owner says it's in working order. It might work on air but I doubt it on steam. The safety valve spring needs replacement. Cosmetically, it's not good, with obvious signs of repair and rather poor soldering.| Make | Cameo |
| Model | ? |
| Date Made | ? |
| Description | Stationary |
| Cylinders | 1 |
| Cylinder Type | Single acting |
| Bore mm | 10 |
| Stroke mm | 19 |
| Valve Type | Oscillating cylinder |
| Boiler Type | Horizontal |
| Boiler Diam mm | 45 |
| Boiler length/height mm | 103 |
| Fuel | Meths |
| Mechanical Condition | ? |
| Cosmetic Condition | Poor |
| Paintwork | Original? |
| Packaging | Cardboard box |
| Purchased | 5/10/2022 |
| Purchase cost | £96.50 |
| Additional spend |