Talk:Steam Engine/@comment-96.28.54.21-20120714205049/@comment-569195-20120715000906

I can help in two ways. First remember tekkit is an amalgamation of several popular mods all of which have their own websites and wikis where you can get info on them specifically. Most of the info on the wiki seems cut and paste from those sources. so if you need info on Buildcraft engines go over to the build craft wiki.
 * Engines
 * Steam Engine

Second all engines need a red stone current to turn them on so you need not only coal but a red stone signal. Also you need a wooden conductive pipe to extract the power. Read those pages i linked and that should clear things up.