Arab Traction Engine

Kritika · Arab Traction Engine

My first Arab Traction Engine

Look what I just won; it’s a MAHAMOD my very first Arab engine. From this day on his name will be Mahamod (although he sadly will leave his tree at home when he travels to me).

Of course its actually a very rare Mamod TWS factory built TE (with silver front ring)
Until I saw the one Manx has in his colection I did not know they existed. Got it for £32 with trailer so chuffed to bits as seller did not know how to spell MAMOD and called it a MAHAMOD!.
I will clean it up and post more picks.

SillyBilly

What a bargain!

Kritika

Yeh could not beleve it SB - there were only 2 bids on it, obviously no one could find it.

IndianaRog

Bargain is an understatement...you nearly stole that!!! Just goes to show there is a side nitch in eBay where folks find real bargains because sellers can't spell. BUT, that is the first Arab version I have ever heard make it's mark.

Mamodman123

Wow, that's the one that isn't the kit version but is painted like it.

An excellent bargain indeed

You are not alone benifiting from the mispelling of Mamod. We all know the Mahood SE3

johnreid

My Sr1a is a MAMOND, I was the only bidder.

Griffin

A great buy Kritika, and in such nice condition. A great find, well done.

flywheel61

That's a brilliant buy, good one.

That's why I just set my ebay search to steam engine, not specific brands, often there is a lot of crap to wade throught but every now & then it come up with a gem I wouldn't otherwise find,

Cheers

Chris

tmuir

Manxman

Now that is a great find but I'm sorry to say it's not quite a TWS. The TWS was only made for a very short while in about 1984 and was dropped very quickly in one of the factory moves. The TWS was factory made and so was riveted and the pipe (on the top) into the boiler was soldered in place.

Now this little TE has the kit version screws and also a screw to attach the top pipe. I think this is a kit from just after the TWS.

that is using up a very important part.

Because, what it does have is the all important TWS smokebox. They are very rare and even when you know what to look for you don't see many of those silver disk fronts.

I think you've paid a brill price (I paid about £80 for mine) for that and I'm looking forward to more pics. I'm 99% sure it's a TWK1 from just after the TWS1 period. But, you have that all important smokebox which a collection of Mamod TE's just have to have. Well done.

Manxman

Here's a pic of mine. I managed to get the box with mine and although it's a bit of a mess, it's still worth having as it shows the silver front off rather well.

tmuir

Gee every week I learn about a new variation on the Te1a.
How many variations are there in total are their Manx?

Manxman

I guess that depends on how you count them. I've got 15 TE's at present and all are different. I know of at least two more limited editions (got a pic of one of these) and I still don't have a very first early 1963 example.

However if you don't look for the changes in production methods etc then I guess it's a far smaller number. It might be better to look at the Mamod catalogue to help, so
TE1 (early model 1963 -1967)
TE1a (later model with reversing lever 1967 - present)
TWK1 (Black and yellow as a kit 1982 - present)
TWS1 (Black and Yellow model 1984)
TE1ab (Brown and Brass 1995 - present)
Then at least 3 purely Mamod responsible limited editions.
The Showman's, which I can only see as a posh TE
Forest Classics do the Mamod Limited Editions now and they have made a few different TE's.

So after all that I guess and it all depends on how you like to look at these things, but somewhere between about 12 and 20 different models.

tmuir

hmmmm 20 different models. I'll think I'll just stick with my one at the moment which is about to get tyres so it can be driven outside.

Cranko

Did they ever make2 the same

Kritika

Spent a few hours today striping down and cleaning - here he is.
OK he may not be a Riveted / Soldered TWS (You missed out that the hubcaps are also different MANX) but he is still a splendid little Arab!
I will be in Dubai next week on business - I may take him back to his roots for a look.

Cranko

Very nice engine

SillyBilly

Looks Great! I wonder what customs will say!! Would be great to have a photo of it in the sands.

Mamodman123

Very nice!

bessytractor

love it!