The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum

Nick · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 6:07 am Post subject: New Mamod Loco Test

Well, I finally bought one. Thanks again John Reid for recommending them so many times.

Opening the box:

It was a rainy day today, and we couldn't get out in the field, so I've already ran it 5 times.

The following 2 videos were taken on its 4th run:

I was curious how far it would go on one boiler/burner filling.

I filled the boiler with room temperature water, so some of the gas was used up heating the water.

I was running on 0-72 track, so I figured the circumfrence at 226.195 inches or one lap is equal to 18.85 feet.

I started the run at 11:50 and went until 12:08 (a total of 18 minutes) and then the gas tank was empty. The loco traveled exactly 175 laps.

If 1 lap is equal to 18.85 feet, then the 175 laps is equal to 3298.75 feet traveled.

3298.75 / 5280 = .6248 miles, which is pretty close to .6250 or 5/8 of a mile.

So this means my loco traveled 5/8 of a mile in 18 minutes.

I decided if I already have this much info, I may as well figure out the speed.

18 / 60 = .3

mi./hr or .625 / .3 = 2.083 mph is close to the speed the loco was traveling. It's not exact, because I rounded the run time off to 18 minutes.

I looked up what scale 0-gauge is and found several numbers, but chose to go with the average scale of 1:43 and 1:48.

At 1:43 scale, the loco is traveling at 89.57 mph and at 1:48 the loco is traveling at 99.98 mph! (And I had the regulator almost shut, running it slow

)

EDIT: at the scale of 1:20.3 that Tony has given me, the loco was traveling at 42.28 mph in my video.

(Let me know if I made any mistakes, it's been awhile since I've done this much math.

)

Nick · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 6:38 am Post subject:

I just checked how much water was left in the boiler after the run and there was 20 ml. If I had boiled the water then added it to the loco, I think I could have gotten nearly a mile on one tank of gas.

But I am averaging 20 minute runs heating the water with the burner, so I think I will stick with running it that way.

whistleman · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 6:46 am Post subject:

Nick- I think you're on a winner there!

Les · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 6:47 am Post subject:

That is very nice Nick. Two questions though, did you get it direct from Mamod and was there gas in the tank when it arrived??
_________________
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Nick · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 6:49 am Post subject:

Nick · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 6:51 am Post subject:

I also thought it would be ready to run, but this o-ring was right here on the steam line.

It was a quick fix, but not the best quality control.

tmuir · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 7:14 am Post subject:

I think you will find that Mamod although runs on O guage track is a much bigger loco than normal O guage locos it.
It isn't based on any prototype so the scale is just a best guess really but I think you would find it closer to 1/2o scale.

I did a similar thing ages ago with my old Mamod.
http://modelsteam.myfreeforum.org/about4011.html

and I was trying for top speed and got 6.651 kmphr or 4.13 miles an hour.

A quote from my post on working out speed.

'Mamod locos are not really built to any scale but as Roundhouse locos are 16mm and Mamods are a bit smaller we will say its 15mm

That means 15mm = 1 foot (I know mixing mm and feet but I didn't make up this scale ) which converts to 1:20.3 so times our speed by 20.3 for the scale speed which gives us

Scale speed of 135 kmphr or 83.8 miles an hour.
'

Glad to hear your loco worked well stright out of the box.
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Nick · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 7:17 am Post subject:

Thanks Tony!

I knew the locos weren't made to scale, so I just picked O-scale for the fun of it.

I'm off to check out your old thread now...

Les · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 7:18 am Post subject:

Nick · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 7:21 am Post subject:

Maybe Mamod does listen?

I noticed this message on Chris Cairns video:

Les · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 7:24 am Post subject:

They didn't use the insert when John's loco was delivered here, I had to put extra packing in to keep it secure.
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Nick · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 7:24 am Post subject:

Les · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 7:25 am Post subject:

Nick · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 7:40 am Post subject:

I just checked the box and it cost Mamod £51.49 to ship it and the weight was 2 kg 2 gms, so at least they didn't overcharge me too much on the postage at £60.

I was just in a hurry to get one bought before they raise the price again (which I think they will) and didn't even think of having it sent to a forum member.

How did you keep John's under 2 kgs? Did you ship it in two packages?

Les · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 7:44 am Post subject: