Iqbal Ahmed comes up with new model
| Date :18-Sep-2019 |
(left) The new miniature model which is a small electric train looks like steam locomotive that can move on dining table. (right) Iqbal Ahmed
By Kaushik Bhattacharya :
Iqbal Ahmed is the big name in miniature world, who learnt the art of shrinking huge machines into miniatures. He spent more time in grandfather’s garage and learnt to play with old cars that his grandfather brought home being torn down and then sewn up. Ahmed comes up with new miniature model which is a small electric train looks like steam locomotive that can move on dining table carrying dishes to and fro. Every part of the train except bolts and screws was made by him in his own workshop that is situated at his residence in Sadar. “I do not have an engineering degree.
What I am doing today is just because of my curiosity to play with machines and it is now my hobby,” Ahmed said proudly. Ahmed, who is credited with building the world’s smallest working steam engine, was talking to The Hitavada regarding his new miniature table top train. Some of his other small marvels include vertical steam engines, Mary Beam engines, the Victoria horizontal steam engine, miniature cars including 1886 Benz and many more. What Ahmed produced was learnt through trial and error and the ideas came from within. In fact, Ahmed had never heard about ‘model engineering’ until he got some books on that topic. A thumbnail sized working steam engine weighs just 1.72 grams was his most famous creation for which he was awarded Guinness World Record.
“Inspired in 1975 by a friend from England who sent me a book on model making with diagrams I slowly started making models of various steam engines, internal combustion engines which developed into a hobby,” he explained. He participated in various miniature model making competitions world-wide. He delivered lectures in various colleges and universities in all over the world. Ahmed honoured with various awards and medals for this rare talent. Currently, Ahmed is working on some other miniature models which he will reveal soon.