The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum

CCairns · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 6:04 pm Post subject: My Stationary Engines - Part 3

OK, here are some more of my stationary engines. These ones are S.E.L. engines and accessories.

Signalling Equipment Ltd. was 1 of 2 trading names used (the other was Merit) by J & L Randall Ltd., Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, a British Toy Manufacturer. They made 5 steam engines between 1946 & 1965, and were one of Mamod's successful competitors. Whilst their engines, with the exception of the 1560 Marine engine, are a regular item on ebay, their accessories are less common and can command high prices. The boilers, steam pipes, cylinders, lubricators and burners were painted with a gold paint which was not resistant to direct flames and thus many survivors have been cleaned of this paint. Without any accompanying paperwork it is difficult to date these engines.

SEL 1520 Minor

The smallest engine in the range, this has a firebox mounted cylinder with the driveshaft mounted through the firebox to the flywheel and pulley. It has a single wick meths burner (which is in the direct path of the above driveshaft), safety valve but no water level plug.

This is my SEL 1520 Minor Steam Engine. It was sold on ebay as 'all complete', however the safety valve had been glued up, the bolt/spring from the valve rattles around in the boiler, 2 end flaps on the box have detached but are still present, and there is no funnel. Safety valve has been replaced, and this engine runs very well.

SEL 1530 Junior

Next one up in the range of engines, this has an aluminium bracket mounted cylinder with the offset driveshaft mounted through the firebox with the flywheel on the cylinder side and a pulley on the opposite side. It has a single wick meths burner, safety valve and water level plug.

This is my SEL 1530 Junior Steam Engine. This was the first SEL engine I purchased on ebay, and it had the burner nozzle fitted upside down on the burner tray. On my first steaming this ended up with a meths fire which I had to put out with water. Reducing the level of meths in the burner had no effect on the 2nd steaming (another meths fire), and it was only when I tried reversing the burner nozzle that I got a satisfactory run. This engine has obviously worked hard, and there is evidence of solder repairs around the boiler (which I need to clean up), and the hole for the driveshaft on the pulley side of the firebox has enlarged. Thus it runs but with some play on the driveshaft.

SEL 1540 Standard

The standard engine in the range, this has a bakelite frame mounted cylinder with the driveshaft mounted to the firebox with a flywheel and pulley. It has a two wick meths burner, safety valve, water level plug and inline displacement lubricator.

This is my SEL 1540 Standard Steam Engine. It was described on ebay as 'saved from a loft find, and has been fully restored'. This meant that the baseplate and firebox had been repainted, and all the gold paint removed, but it was missing the burner. A two wick meths burner has come from another SEL engine I bought for spares. This runs very well, particularly as it has the lubricator.

SEL 1550 Major

The biggest engine in the range, this is a 2 cylinder model, and the only one to feature a whistle. It has 2 bakelite frame mounted cylinders with the driveshaft mounted between these frames with a flywheel and pulley. It has a two wick meths burner, safety valve, water level plug, inline displacement lubricator and whistle.

This is my SEL 1550 Major Steam Engine. It is actually made up from 2 engines, with the boiler and firebox coming from the 2nd engine that I bought for spares. The safety valve has been fitted to my 1520 Minor engine above, so that glued up safety valve needs repairing or a replacement sourced. It runs very well.

SEL 1560 Marine

I've only seen one of these on ebay since I started collecting SEL engines, and I was outbid. They were acquired by Mamod after SEL stopped trading, and used in the ME3 engine. Maybe one day I'll get one of these.

Accessories

Model Circular Saw

This is a recent purchase on ebay. It looks unused, although the box has lost a flap and has some tears. The coloured box indicates it is a later version.

These accessories go for a lot of money now on ebay, but I'll continue to try and get some more for the collection.

Thanks for looking. Hoped you enjoyed another part of my collection.
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Chris Cairns.

http://www.freewebs.com/chriscairnssteam/
http://christophercairns.fotopic.net/

johnreid · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 6:54 pm Post subject:

I like the looks of the SEL items. Thanks for sharing them.
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Atticman · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 6:57 pm Post subject:

They are great engines, and thats a lovely collection.

What is the significance of the red or green bases though, are the reds younger older or depended on the job lot of paint at the time

bessytractor · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 7:00 pm Post subject:

good collection and nice pics!

Les · Last edited by Les on Sun Jan 13, 2008 6:00 pm; edited 1 time in total

erikl · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 7:38 pm Post subject:

Soem nice models again!
S.E.L. is still a hole in my collection, realy got to got one of those some day.
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I also like the bigger toys: www.stoomtrein.org

Nick · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 8:08 pm Post subject:

The only S.E.L. I own is the grinder bought on ebay for $9.99:

Mamodman123 · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 8:27 pm Post subject:

wow great SEL collection!

Those marine engines must be mega rare

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You could get a nice flatbase for that

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Les · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 8:30 pm Post subject:

Nick · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 8:32 pm Post subject:

What do they usually sell for?

Mamodman123 · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 8:32 pm Post subject:

Les · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 8:35 pm Post subject:

Nick · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 8:37 pm Post subject:

Les · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 9:12 pm Post subject:

I only paid £36 two years ago, but it worth what someone is prepared to pay for it. Not that I would ever sell it.
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Les - Old age isn't so bad when you consider the alternatives.

www.freewebs.com/lesmarsh

Wallace · Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 7:37 am Post subject:

Great SEL collection there, thanks for sharing

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