Beam Engine

My next project is some mechanical rigging- I want to animate a beam engine like the one shown here.

I think it would be an interesting project. At the moment I am trying to figure out how the engine works and try to see differenr ways of rigging different groups of elemts of the engine in order to get a clearer idea of what is required.

I am also trying to come out with a more comprehensive idea of what is needed in the rig to make it the most flexible and user-friendly for animation.

ANY THOUGHTS OR COMMENTS WOULD BE VERY APPRECIATED!