The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum

Chris · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 6:50 pm Post subject: Upgrading MMS saddle tank

Ok, no I don't have one.

However I am looking out for a friend for my SL1. I was originally thinking of setting up a circuit of track permanently in the garden on a nice track bed, and then buying something like a roundhouse Bertie. However, I have decided to keep things as just a "train set" at the moment, and just setting the track up as and when. But I would still like another loco, something a bit different from the SL1 I already have, but cheaper than a roundhouse. So that leaves a MMS saddle tank (cheapish) or PPS Janet (which I really like the look of, and is already like an upgraded Mamod).

Before I decide though I would like to know whether it is possible to upgrade the MMS saddle tank with an upgraded safety valve and water top up valve. Looking at the photos on PPS website it looks as if it doesn't have enough holes. Does it only have a safety valve and steam dome. If only a safety valve then will the upgraded one fit where the current one is without looking daft?

My wife thinks the saddle tank locos are cute, so I am onto a winner there, but I'm not interested if I can't fit the upgrades. (Plus add all the upgrades and the Janet is not a bad buy at all).

(Yes I know another option is to buy another SL1, upgrade it and customise it but that isn't the question).

I will e-mail pps if no one here knows, but I might have upset him with my previous email of "so the Janet, is that just a done up mamod" still to be fair his reply was polite (and I worded it slightly better).
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Chris
http://www.chrisfisher-photography.co.uk

steamyjim · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 7:01 pm Post subject:

i have a website somewhere where he made the saddle tank removeable so you could get to the boiler (the saddle tank is pop riveted on i think)

ill find the sight in a minute

steamyjim · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 7:16 pm Post subject:

here it is i think you have to be a member of the group to see them though

http://ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/...arden_Railways/photos/browse/300c

Mamodman123 · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 7:32 pm Post subject:

No idea Chris....If it can't have the upgrades then its pretty crap
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Chris · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 7:42 pm Post subject:

Mamodman123 · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 7:44 pm Post subject:

I woudn't bother if you can't upgrade it, Maybe find one on ebay and upgrade it with a regulator and lubricator? etc

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Chris · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 7:52 pm Post subject:

Mamodman123 · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 8:00 pm Post subject:

I see Chris. But I would alsobe thinking about rolling stock, not sure if the mamod stuff would suit the PPS Janet?

If not consider modding the Saddle tank.

Any chance of a picture of the boiler on the model? It certainly looks a funny thing, shouldn't be too difficult to to sort a thread out and safety valve

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Solid Fuel tablets explode

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Chris · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 8:08 pm Post subject:

I've just posted to the yahoo group, so will see if I get some comments. From the photos of the guys there it looks as if the safety valve goes at the front like a normal mamod, it looks as the opening where the steam dome normally is has been blanked off, and that the steam dome has been moved to where the whistle is on a mamod.

That means that fitting a better safety valve should work but will possibly look daft and it will not be possible (at least without drilling some extra holes) to fit the water top up. I can possibly live with that. Dunno, I don't like spending money!

The good news is that fitting a meths burner (or gas) will be simple.

The rolling stock wouldn't fit directly with the janet. I would need to change the buffers on either the loco, or at least on one of the wagons, or get a tender with a mamod fitting on one end and a fitting to suit the Janet on the other. Bit of a bodge.
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Chris
http://www.chrisfisher-photography.co.uk

bessytractor · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 8:22 pm Post subject:

Janet is quite definitely not a "done up mamod" more like a "done up Jane"

It runs at something like 60psi for a start!!!

Mamodman123 · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 8:24 pm Post subject:

All about costs though.,.. the Janet simply doesn't interest me to be honest!

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Solid Fuel tablets explode

You could get a nice flatbase for that

www.mamodsteam.tk

Chris · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 8:27 pm Post subject:

I think the Janet looks real nice. If it was £250 I think I would pay for it without thinking about the MMS saddle tank.

But it is £300 and then extra for the nice bits.

Ponder ponder.
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Chris
http://www.chrisfisher-photography.co.uk

Mamodman123 · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 8:29 pm Post subject:

bessytractor · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 9:17 pm Post subject:

SillyBilly · Guest

An Edrig in my opinion is about the best 'budget' loco you can get!!! [url]www.thesignalbox.co.uk/?action=showall&cat=42&sid=xfqa9l^wnn2sm43_xlq31h7sheu_qrj4[/url] The bottom one. It's £400 though a super great Janet is £387.50, and I'm sure the Edrig's a better model at the end of the day. Not that I have anything against Janet. A better description of Edrig here www.brandbright.co.uk/edrig.htm.

William