This Metal Beam, Steam and Boiler engine was fun to put together. Not one problem. I ordered the set with the Generator Scene. The Gen scene was backordered, but Lucas sent me the engine first and told me the Gen would be early September. I received the Gen Scene exactly as I was told and there wasn't any extra shipping charge.
I assembled the steam engine a month ago and it's been running very well.
I bolted the Generator Scene to the main engine assembly (I drilled the holes and had small bolts), but I'm having trouble keeping it running. The belt that is included is too long to do this (I just wanted one solid assembly instead of the two) so I've been experimenting with various rubber bands etc. Possibly there's too much tension and I haven't hit on the right combo or the thicker oil (STP) I just applied is too heavy.
Either way, it's still fun to tinker with which is half the enjoyment!
I'm very pleased with this RETROL Full Metal Beam Engine Steam Engine as well as doing business with Enginediy!!

This is an amazing little steam engine. It builds perfectly and runs with no effort at all. Quite quiet too. I used about 10ml of ethanol as fuel and it ran for about 5 mins, with 50ml of water in the boiler. Not difficult to build so suited to a beginner too.

I assembled the kit successfully, but I can't make the steam engine work. I got steam OK with enough pressure to have steam escaping from the condensate drain, But I can't make the pressure push the piston up. The flywheel turns freely and smoothly.. Help?

The engine is running very good, grain alcohol seems to be the hottest burning fuel. I get about a 10 minute run time, a steam pressure gauge that screws into the water fill would make monitoring pressure easy and be the finishing touch.

October 13 ,2023 Retrol Beam Steam Engine Update.
Today decided to run the engine first time on steam. Preheated distilled water before placing it in the boiler. Filled fuel container to the max. Placed water inside the boiler making sure that there is plenty room for the steam, ignited burner and placed it under the boiler waited until the water got hot to make steam. Noticed leakage of pressure/steam around and trough the whistle no matter of adjustment I was unable to stop the leak. Opened the valve on the boiler to allow the steam flow to the engine. Engine would not run I believe that was due to the steam pressure loss and not being able to produce steam quick enough in order to maintain proper minim pressure to ran the engine. Took the whistle apart and plugged the hole disabling any flow of steam trough it, no difference it leaked on the sides of the body. Burned the entire amount of the fuel in the burner , tried to adjust steam flow with the valve and nothing engine did not turn at all . I believe that was due to insufficient pressure and to the leaks. While cleaning the engine a small exhaust pipe on the engine piston body came off it. Looks like this pipe was just pressed in the hole on the body and now it would not stay in it. I join it with solder in place. Well in previous review I rated this engine 4 stars that was when I ran it on a compressed air it ran very good. Compressor can produce steady flow of minimum compressed air pressure required to ran the engine even with a small leaks. Steam can not be replaced as quickly to maintain that same constant pressure flow in the engine. After running it I cleaned it , while cleaning it a small exhaust pipe on the engine piston body came off it. Looks like this pipe was just pressed in the hole on the body and now it would not stay in it. I join it with solder in place. I test run the engine on compressed air and it runs good on air only.
Rating this engine for operation under the steam power I will give 0 stars. I am disappointed that it does not run as it should on steam , that is why it is called STEAM ENGINE.. If you plan running it on steam only, well you are on your own.