This tiny horizontal steam engine is one of many built by Rudy Kouhoupt. A US quarter in the photo provides scale reference.

One of the first large donations to the Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum was the collection of famed model engine builder Rudy Kouhoupt. After retiring as a chemist, Rudy had a second career building engines and writing magazine articles documenting the process. Many people have built his models, but we have the honor of displaying all of his original prototypes. Rudy’s collection includes scale model engines, locomotives, tractors and more. Additionally, thirteen of Rudy’s model steam engines are hooked up to run on compressed air to demonstrate their function. 

A rear view of the horizontal steam engine.

Exhibit added: November 27, 2023 - Last modified: January 29, 2024

Presented by The Joe Martin Foundation for Exceptional Craftsmanship