Steam is not totally unsafe. It is simply a different animal to electric. The overall principal is similar to internal combustion or even an air compressor and we live with and run these ALL the time. The truth here is that many steam boilers are in use today for commercial and residential heating.

Not sure on this but, doesn't a high torque steamer use a bit lower pressure? I mean the locomotives ran like 2000 - 3000 psi (I think). Then it becomes a simple matter of gearing, Right? (simple, hahaha)

Electricity = instant gratification and much less maintenance. A steam driven shop will work if there is a local power outage.
Sounds like fun to me.

Look on Leno's Garage he has a couple of steam and heat engines similar to a sterling. Neat videos.

Jeff