Jensen Steam Engines
| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Toys |
| Founded | 1932 |
| Founder(s) | Tom Jensen Sr. |
| Headquarters | Jeannette, PA, USA |
| Area served | Worldwide |
| Key people | Tom Jensen Sr 1901–1992, Tom Jensen Jr |
| Products | Toy steam engines |
| Website |
Jensen Steam Engines is a manufacturer of 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 them 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 World War II but soon reopened to make equipment 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 until 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.[1]
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 fired; some on pressed steel bases and some on wooden bases.
Current range
Hobby
- #25
- #25G
- #60
- #65
- #70
- #70G
- #75
- #76
- #85
Collector
- #20
- #20G
- #55
- #55G
- #95G
Discontinued models
- #5 1932-1960s
- #10 1937–1961
- #30 1954–1982
- #35 1935–1946
- #40 1960-1965
- #45 1949-1959
- #50 1930s-1996
- #78 1981?
- #80 1980s
- #86 1981?
- #90 1961–1988
One-offs and Specials
- #1 1923
- #20S 1984
- #51 1973-1996
- #55S 1984
- #85G 1996
Accessories
- #15 1935 current
- #15BL 2004
- #15D 1990
- #15E 2004
- #100 1949–1980