This piece of craftsmanship by Szymon Klimek, of Poland, blends model making, art, and jewelry all into one. It’s a very delicate photo-etched brass sculpture of the 1835 Adler steam locomotive and tender. The miniature Adler sits inside a large glass goblet with sealed top.

The Adler (German for “Eagle”) was a British-built, German steam locomotive with a 2-2-2 wheel arrangement. It was the first locomotive to run successfully in Germany. It was built to order in 1835 by the British railway pioneers George and Robert Stephenson, and then delivered to the Bavarian Ludwigsbahn (Bayerische Ludwigsbahn)—which ran between Nuremberg and Fürth. The Adler was furnished with a tender of the type 2 T 2.

Mr. Klimek’s model accurately represents the original Stephenson Adler design. The brass model contains extremely delicate details characteristic of Mr. Klimek’s work. Though accurate in proportion and detail, Mr. Klimek takes his models past the realm of model engineering and into the world or art or jewelry. The display of the model inside a wine goblet is more in character with its creation as a piece of fine art than is normally seen as a display for the usual model locomotive. This piece is worth taking the time to marvel at the delicacy of its construction, and the perfection of its presentation.

Exhibit added: November 29, 2010 - Last modified: May 26, 2023

Presented by The Joe Martin Foundation for Exceptional Craftsmanship