Upgrade 1 · Welded boiler housing edge, the classic way

A fair point, and one we heard from several builders. On the demo model, the edge of the stainless steel boiler housing was joined with glue. Glue can leave uneven seams and small gaps, and on a part that runs hot, builders told us they’d rather see a proper metal joint.

We took that on board. In the mass-production version, the glue is gone and the edge is welded instead. It’s how classic steam equipment was built: metal joined to metal, solid and durable. The result is a stronger, cleaner seam with no gaps, and the authentic, old-school look and feel that steam fans love.

Upgrade 2 · A new, improved metal base plate

The demo model already had a brushed metal plate on top of the wooden base. But with a live flame on the workbench, we wanted to do better. The mass-production version gets a new, improved metal plate: it’s thicker, covers a larger area of the base, and is made from a new material, so the wooden base is better protected. If fuel spills or flares, the plate takes the heat instead of the wood underneath, and the hardwood base keeps its good looks.

Still important: the metal plate is an extra safeguard, not a reason to relax. Always run the model on a heat-resistant surface, with an adult present.

Upgrade 3 · A sealed fuel drawer for paste-type fuel gel

This was one of the most useful things we learned at the show. The demo model runs on solid fuel tablets, and our original plan for this upgrade was to add support for alcohol gel. But talking to builders at the show, we learned that many of you now use paste-type fuel gel, the kind you squeeze out of a tube, and plenty of you run on gas.

So we’ve changed the design. The sliding fuel drawer under the boiler had small holes on both sides. On the mass-production version, those side holes are now sealed, so paste gel stays where you squeeze it instead of seeping out through the sides. That means you can use the fuel paste you already buy. Simply pull the drawer out, add the fuel, and slide it back in under the boiler. The vents on the front of the firebox stay open, so the flame still gets plenty of air.

For gas users, we’re developing a separate gas burner as an optional accessory, to be released later. We’ll share the details once it’s ready.

Please note: Fuel is not included with the kit, as it can’t be shipped. Please buy fuel gel locally before your first run. Always let the fuel burn out and the drawer cool down before pulling it out to refuel.

Upgrade 4 · Pressure gauge as an optional accessory

Yes. Some builders love watching the needle climb as the boiler comes up to pressure, while others just want to fire it up and enjoy the lamp. So the pressure gauge is now an optional accessory: add it if you want it, skip it if you don’t.

The gauge reads from 0 to 6 bar, and the TG-6 normally runs at around 2–3 bar, so you can see exactly what the boiler is doing as the turbine spins up. Whether or not you add the gauge, the spring-loaded safety valve and water-level sight glass are standard.

Also optional: the steam whistle. On a full boiler the TG-6 typically runs for around 15 minutes. Every blast of the whistle uses steam, so frequent use can shorten that to around 8–10 minutes. Add it for the classic steam sound, and use it sparingly for longer runs.

Limited first batch · 100 units

Yes, pre-orders are open now. The first batch of the upgraded TG-6 is limited to just 100 units. Keeping it small lets us check every unit closely and keep listening to the first builders, just as we did at the show. Pre-ordering now secures your unit from this first batch.

Coming next · A worker figure

Yes, and it’s a fun one. We’re planning a worker figure made to go with the TG-6, so you can recreate a scene from a real power house: an engineer at work beside the boiler, keeping an eye on the turbine as the lamp glows. It’s a small touch that brings the whole model to life on your shelf.

It’s still early days, so this is the perfect time to tell us what you’d like to see. Which pose, which era, what size? Leave your ideas in the comments below, and they may help shape the final design.