Steam Engines

How much luck have people had in developing and improving steam engines and what uses have you put them to?

I did have a go in G3 and managed to get an vastly improved design working in mines

Never really attempted it.

The whole better water set up described in Carte Blanche seemed pretty cool, but I've not yet had a position where it was something worth attempting.

Good to know there are advanced engines available for mines, I don't think I recall reading about them in any of the supplements.

I think as long as you are willing to invest, time & resources into most Tech advances then there is a chance of an improvement. I am currently on the 4th Improvement of the water wheel, with it boosting production a little with each improvement.

Steam Engines may be a little more specilised with a requirement for the right Personality in the right kind of Academy. I take it for Historical game reasons that only Static Engines are going to be able to be developed though.

What I have done is ordered an academy to research improved steam engines and got new versions being developed as a result but I don't think they are mentioned specifically in any supplement. I haven't needed Newcomen to do the work though.

I suspect in the short term waterwheels are a better investment but if you're in it for the long term I think steam engines will pay offer...plus they are cooler...ok, I have this dream of a Steam Punk Glory