User:Roly Williams/sandbox

Jensen Steam Engines is a manufacturer or model/toy steam engines, located in Jeannette, PA USA. Established in 1932 by Tom Jensen Sr. They are still making steam engines using traditional technology and methods.

History
Tom Jensen Sr (1901-1992) was born and educated in Denmark and was interested in steam engines from an early age. In 1923 he made a large model steam engine which is still in working order and is now unofficially known as the Jensen #1. As a young man, he moved to the USA looking for work as an engineer. While waiting for a "proper" job to come along, he made a few samples of steam engines, hoping to sell tham in a local department store. These were seen by a buyer from the F.A.O. Schwarz Toy Store in NY, who placed an order. The first batch of engines created much interest from other stores and catalogues and Jensen Steam Engines Inc. came into being in 1932.

The factory temporarily closed at the start of WW2 but soon reopened to make engines for the army. In 1992, George Bush wrote to Jensen, thanking him for his "...unique contribution to America".

On his death in 1992, Tom Jensen Sr. passed on the business to his son Tom Jr, who has continued the business untill the present. Jensen Steam Engines is still a small family owned business making steam engines using the same traditional technology as used by Tom Sr.

Models
The current range of models are divided into the Hobby/Educational series and the Collector/Commercial series; the latter being more substantial and "up-market". Some models are electrically heated and some are solid fuel (Esbit) fired; some on pressed steel bases and some on wooden bases.

Hobby

 * #25
 * #25G
 * #60
 * #65
 * #70
 * #70G
 * #75
 * #76
 * #85

Collector

 * #20
 * #20G
 * #55
 * #55G
 * #95G

Discontinued models

 * #5	?
 * #10	1937-1961
 * #30	1954-1982
 * #35	1935-1946
 * #40	?
 * #45	1952
 * #50	1949
 * #78	1981
 * #80	1984
 * #86	1981
 * #90	1961-1988

One-offs

 * #1	1923
 * #20S	1984
 * #51	?
 * #55S	1984
 * #85G	1996

Accessories

 * #15	1935	current
 * #15BL	2004
 * #15D	1990
 * #15E	2004
 * #100	1949-1980