This model machine workshop, made between 1850 and 1880, gives a good overall impression of a machine shop of the period driven by steam. The model includes the types of machines that might have been seen in a workshop undertaking general machine-building during that time. However, it would have been unusual to find the steam engine in the workshop itself. Usually the engine would have been in a separate room, or at least divided from the workshop by a partition.

Individual machine tools are positioned to receive power from line-shafts driven by the engine, some through countershafts. This arrangement persisted until well into the twentieth century, until the general adoption of machine tools driven by individual electric motors. Some small lathes are shown being worked by treadle, which was quite common since it afforded more flexibility than if driven from the line-shaft.

There was much work to be done by hand at this time and it is this class of work - whether rough preparation of parts before machining or delicate finishing - which explains the need for a number of fitters' benches with vices. The enclosed area represents a store for small tools and drawings.

Inv. 1927-1051