| Archive for The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum The Original Unofficial Toy Steam Forum Established 2006 The biggest, most popular steam forum around! Accept NO imitations! We have a growing community of regular posting members who chat about all aspects of toy and model steam. |
| Dauntless |
Engine Of The Month - March 2008Here are this months entries :-1 - Wilson of Liverpool - 1946 2 - Jensen #51 powerstation - 1984 3 - Jensen #25 - 1960s 4 - Hobbies SE1 - 1936 5 - Jensen #25 - 1950s 1 - Wilson of Liverpool 
2 - Jensen #51 powerstation 
3 - Jensen #25 1960's 
4 - Hobbies SE1 
5 - Jensen #25 1950's 
|
||||||
| Sandman |
This just gets harder all the time.
Need to think a bit more before casting my vote. 
|
||||||
| tmuir |
Casted my vote.
Three Jensens again. I'm starting to think the Jensen owners want to win an EOTM 
|
||||||
| johnreid |
No, I did not vote for my own engine. 
|
||||||
| Mister Occlusion |
I'm sad that the Wilesco D20 Powerplant didn't make it to the voting list. I *do* hope it gets submitted again next month 
|
||||||
| Nick |
Jensen is winning! 
|
||||||
| Les |
A Jensen might be winning but it's not taking all the votes. 
|
||||||
| Wallace |
Very very hard this month.
But the overwhelming size of one got it in the end 
|
||||||
| Les |
Size isn't everything. 
|
||||||
| Les |
I did.
|
||||||
| Manxman |
So hard again. I'd like a Jensen to win at some point and again 3 great engines. But which to pick. I'm going to leave it a bit and think about it. | ||||||
| MooseMan |
Oh, that's just impossible......
I voted for the engine I'd most like to own, so the Wilson has it. But I could just as happily have voted for the #51. |
||||||
| bessytractor |
casted my vote,
was a tough one this time round (again!) looking forward to seeing how this one turns out! |
||||||
| steamyjim |
Aye it will MR O
I voted for the 51. The vastness and complexity
|
||||||
| James |
Had to be the Jensen 51!! | ||||||
| Les |
Thankyou.
|
||||||
| Steve_S |
Very hard, they're all suberb. The Wilson should be entered again if it doesn't win, because it deserves to be an EOTM. But the 51 is just awesome! | ||||||
| Roly Williams |
That's exactly what I thought as well. Whether you're a Jensen fan or not, the 51 is one of the most impressive steam toys in existance. |
||||||
| Nick |
What's amazing is it was made in 1984, most of the great engines seem to be much older. |
||||||
| johnreid |
That is the whole point, there are so many significant and well built engines. If one doesnt make it this month, it can be entered for another. I for one like the idea that a 51 would take the honor of being the first Jensen EOM. My 25 can take the seat of honor some other time I hope, as the Wilson, or the Hobbies, all quite nice and impressive on their own.. | ||||||
| Mister Occlusion |
I guess I'll just have to vote for the one that I'd most like to own as well
Maybe, fate willing, I'll have the opportunity to at least reverently touch a 51 once before I depart this world..
|
||||||
| Manxman |
Well I've had a think. I'm going to vote for the Jensen 51. Not my cup of tea, but I do believe a Jensen should get to be EOTM soon. So I guess why not this monster.
|
||||||
| Mamodman123 |
Give the people what they want
*votes Jensen* |
||||||
| Les |
 
|
||||||
| Mamodman123 |
I actually love that engine too
|
||||||
| mc_mc |
I agree, maybe it'll stop the whining for a few months. JOKE! but okay, the Jensen #51 isn't bad |
||||||
| Andy |
had to be the jensen 51 | ||||||
| Graham-Jilly |
we have voted but not saying for what 
have organised to buy some engines when were in the uk so hopefully we will submit them in a couple of months time
|
||||||
| johnreid |
But I like whining 
|
||||||
| Les |
But I like winning, but probably not this month.
|
||||||
| Mamodman123 |
Is it a TRUE Jensen though or the replica? | ||||||
| johnreid |
It is the real thing. | ||||||
| Mister Occlusion |
More than the real thing. It belonged to the man who designed the bugger
|
||||||
| IndianaRog |
MM...my 51 is a reasonable facsimile of the real thing made by building up a 1967 vintage 50 with extra bells and whistles.
Gil's 51 is the real thing and until he picked it up a couple of months ago it had ZERO hours on the meter. Gil's was in fact owned by Randy Calhoun, the engineer who assembled 27 of them for Jensen starting with the 50 and adding the extra bits. Gil drove half way across the US to retrieve that baby!!! Rog |
||||||
| Mamodman123 |
Cheers for clearing that up guys! I guess Rogs must be a very close replica if I got confused 
Only 27 exist in the world? Are they all accounted for? How much was this baby brand new? Why am I asking so many questions?
|
||||||
| IndianaRog |
Yes...27 (or 28 by some scores) is the sum of all genuine 51's ever made. Brand new the 51's last listed for $5,000 USD on the Jensen website, but the last complete 51 was made in 1996 and I believe it is the one in CEDGE's collection. I don't know what the going price was in 1984 when Gil's was built by engineer Randy Calhoun. But, knowing he was building it for himself, I'm sure he took extra pains to get it perfect!! Some of the 27 made are accounted for, but most are not. They went to power companies and universities all over the US and possibly elsewhere. Why ARE you asking so many questions...we still need to get a Jensen to grace your collection...but you may be setting your "first Jensen" sights a bit high
Rog |
||||||
| Mamodman123 |
Very few ever made then! So the whole engine started with some guy "playing"? wow $5,000 I guess thats the most expensive Jensen ever. Could you call it a toy or is it more of a model? How did you get all the dials and meters for yours Rog?
I thought they would have been used for educational means, makes the SE3 for our schools look like a lump of crap Don't you just love England?
Yes I think i'll look out for something a bit more sensible....
|
||||||
| johnreid |
If one is going to dream, Dream Big! | ||||||
| IndianaRog |
MM...I personally would class all Jensen cast iron/wood based type engines primarily as "models"...in fact I have read that Mr. Jensen preferred the term "miniatures of the real thing". The hobby line was developed to compete with Mamod and Wilesco for the toy market...yet the boilers and running gear are basically the same as on the higher end models. I had a photo of the control box of a Jensen 51 and used it as a buying guide. Found some meters on eBay, others on surplus electronics sites etc., but eventually I found the exact same set as was on the example I was following. The wood work was copied exactly as best I could from that photo. The tower and water tank were a bit of a departure as I used a slightly larger tank (a cookie jar) and made the tower to fit it...the rest was just adapting Jensen spares and this and that to get it built. BUT, finding the meters took the most time, probably 6 months til I had them all. As for schools using 51's as teaching aids, I believe it was only a select few Universities...the Jensen 25 was a popular one for grade schools, readily available and a whole lot cheaper. So, an SE3 vs. a Jensen 25...not a bad match up !!! cheers, Rog |
||||||
| johnreid |
In fact the Jensen 70s seem to be the most popular with schools, my 70 was bought on Ebay from a School. I guess that schools no longer teach about such nonsense as Steam and engineering. I think that anymore they will be offering a degree in Burger Flipping. | ||||||
| Nick |
Gil, the next time you are on here, can you post the full story of how you got your Jensen? | ||||||
| johnreid |
I think he did, also, I bet that $5000 wouldnt even touch a 51 IF you found someone willing to sell one. Although listed on the Jensen Web Page, I do not think they plan on making any more for some time now.
Nick, one of the most drool worthy threads on the forum this page discusses Gils 51 and there are lots of pictures http://modelsteam.myfreeforum.org/ftopic7498-0-asc-45.php |
||||||
| Mister Occlusion |
...Bets are also off on how much an ordinary (if I can use that term) Model 50 would fetch if one should ever hit ebay this year.
Though I expect that you'd be able to buy a nice SE4 and D32 both for the price... |
||||||
| johnreid |
In all honesty, Rogers replica is every bit as impressive, he is very talented and took the extra pains to do it right. Honestly, I think the few differences that he made are actually improvements in design. It took lots of hard work for someone to earn the money to buy a 51, but Roger had both the expense and the sweat and ended up with one that IMHO is worth every bit as much, in fact, his 51R ( for replica or Rog, you choose ) would be worth every bit as much as the factory one, and to Roger it is even worth more than that I bet.
Looks at the pictures of Gils, and then got to Rogers Page and look at his. |
||||||
| mogogear |
Awwww, I am the lone vote for the 25 /1950's--
What can i say since I just helped Gil have one less in his family....
|
||||||
| IndianaRog |
Awwww John, you are too kind...I am happy to say we spent an enjoyable afternoon running the 51R and you are the only forum member I've been able to so entertain. Thank you!! | ||||||
| Les |
I'm quite pleased. I've reached double figures.
|
||||||
| duncandumpertruck |
The Wilson is a very interesting engine! Never seen the like before. Any more info on that for a novice? | ||||||
| Nick |
I think it would have the lead if that huge Jensen wouldn't have been entered. | ||||||
| Les |
Thats all I know about it. I had it for about a year before I found out what it was. |
||||||
| Les |
The only engine with a chance against the 51 is another 51.
|
||||||
| Les |
Maybe the 51 has peaked and I will slowly catch up. Tortoise and Hare syndrome.
|
||||||
| duncandumpertruck |
It got my vote Les. It's a cracker. (of course the Jensen is superb but there is something very intriguing about this wee one! Will it run if it becomes engine of the month?!) |
||||||
| Mamodman123 |
It's a marathon not a sprint
|
||||||
| Les |
I can but hope.
|
||||||
| MooseMan |
Much as I like the 51, that Wilson has everything I like in an engine.....V. high on my WANT ONE list. |
||||||
| IndianaRog |
It could be considered blasphemy, but I too voted for the Wilson
Sorry fellow Jensenites 
Rog |
||||||
| Griffin |
The #51 got my vote, but the cast iron #25 was a close second. | ||||||
| Mister Occlusion |
Naww Rog. I can understand if you're just a bit jaded.
A Model 51 must become blasé after you've owned one for awhile
|
||||||
| johnreid |
Oh man, thats a low blow Mark
Well, at least the Cast 25 got one vote It would be my second choice this month.
Remember though, if an engine doesnt make it this month, enter it next month. |
||||||
| redryder |
The most popular Jensen sold to schools is, I believe, the infinitely more affordable (and obtainable) Jensen #70. Gil |
||||||
| johnreid |
To add, the 70 is a really great running engine. If I am trying to impress a non Steam enthusiast, I can run the 70 and they are impressed, high RPMs, lots of Steam shot into the room, just all around a very very fun engine to run. | ||||||
| redryder |
Rog, I've run yours at least a couple dozen times on youtube!!!! Gil |
||||||
| IndianaRog |
Naww Mark, I still sit mesmerized after 70+ hours of running my replica 51...NEVER blasé...but if I ever DO get bored with it, keep your checkbook handy
I just took a shine to that Wilson...different and copper...I love copper boilers. |
||||||
| redryder |
Rog,
I am only up to 21 hours on the #51. They are a kick to run. That Wilson is one heck of a sweet engine! Gil |
||||||
| redryder |
Here is the Jensen Model #51 prototype which still sits on display in Randy's collection.
It is the one that has well over 8,000 hours on it. He Built it for himself and when he showed it to Tom Sr, the old gent was quite enamoured with it and soon they came to an agreement that allowed it to be added to the Jensen line, with Tom providing a finished #50, delivered to Randy, who would then work his magic on it and deliver it back to Jensen for shipping from the factory. Gil (to the right of this 1977 prototype, you can see the left end of my #51 which was still in Randy's collection when these photos were taken) 
|
||||||
| Mister Occlusion |
Ah, y'all know I'm joshin'
The copper boiler is what draws me to wanting one of those SteamCo overtypes one day. That combined with the brass caps and strap make for a nice warm contrast. |
||||||
| Nick |
I love that watertower on the prototype. Where do we get the Jensen plates? I would love to eat from one of them. | ||||||
| johnreid |
I love that water tower, drool, no, double drool. | ||||||
| Nick |
Look in the first picture of the prototype, at the engine to the right of it. What is up with the back of the firebox, where it slopes down and is flat across the top? | ||||||
| johnreid |
I dont know, but it sure has my interest going now. | ||||||
| Nick |
Gil, do you have a pic of that engine. | ||||||
| Mister Occlusion |
Big chimney support hides the electrics maybe? Other Jensen 50's I've seen in pictures have multiple power cords coming to a short strip in the back, presumably so you can run on a combination of heaters rather than full blast all the time. Most 50's have 3 heaters (I think). older ones a combination of immersion rod and blanket and the newer ones with 3 immersion heaters only, if my lore is correct
Interesting details on that one. The built up model 15 lamp posts. The simpler look to the condenser fittings, and the multiple model 15's One thing also that I never noticed before... Model 50's don't reverse, do they? |
||||||
| johnreid |
The boiler looks 50ish | ||||||
| redryder |
That one is the one I have. (#51 up for engine of the month) The long sloping chimney stand houses the beginning of the electricals for the #51. Gil |
||||||
| johnreid |
Triple Drool then | ||||||
| redryder |
The Jensen plates are one off's. They were hand made by a well known artist in the area. Gil |
||||||
| Nick |
Thanks, I didn't see the slope leading up to that chimney (it was too shiny for my eyes to pick up ) I can see it better in other pics you have posted.
|
||||||
| Les |
Thankyou. It is definitely a runner, I don't have engines that don't run, unless they are awaiting refurbing. |
||||||
| Nick |
Or waiting for them to arrive. (Your Jensen 76).
|
||||||
| Les |
Arrived today.
|
||||||
| johnreid |
Good news Les. I am sure that you will enjoy it. | ||||||
| Nick |
Glad to hear. Do you like it? |
||||||
| Les |
I been busy all day and haven't really had a chance to have a really good look at it, but it does need a good clean. forests haven't sent the burner yet so I will have to see which of mine will fit it. | ||||||
| Nick |
You'll have to start a new thread so we can take a look at it. | ||||||
| Les |
I have under My First Jensen # 76 |
||||||
| redryder |
There is also a matching one off coffee mug. Gil |
||||||
| Minor1PJG |
The Big Jensen is a real beauty but I just had to vote for the Wilson
|
||||||
| Les |
Cheers. |
||||||
| johnreid |
OOOOOO I want a Jensen Coffee Mug
Jensens Web Page is still down, maybe Cedge is updating it to include Coffee Mugs, they do have Caps. |
||||||
| Mamodman123 |
I think some members have forum mugs
Manxman has a birthday forum mug
|
||||||
| Nick |
Do they have decals? I saw one on a crabfu video. | ||||||
| redryder |
I want one too. Unfortunately the one that goes with that plate is the only one like it. If I can find a picture of it I will post it. |
||||||
| johnreid |
If we only knew someone who had a 51 the decal on the Water Tower could be photographed and maybe we could have a few mugs made up. I bet Cafepress would do it. | ||||||
| redryder |
We can't do that. The logo would be a trademark infringement if on anything not sold by or authorized by Jensen. |
||||||
| redryder |
I would like to take a moment and thank everyone on this forum for all the votes
the Jensen #51 is receiving. At this point it has not taken the honours but it clearly has a decent chance of winning. If my #51 wins I will consider it a great honor AND......the best birthday present I could hope for from this forum. I will turn 55 in March! Gil |
||||||
| Nick |
It would be a great b-day present as it would show up everyday on the homepage for the month. Good Luck! | ||||||
| Mister Occlusion |
Don't forget to log your B-date in your profile. It'll pop up at the bottom of the main page on that date.
Of course the blokes across the date line see it the day before we do
|
||||||
| Manxman |
Coffe mugs are good fun. I've got a couple of Mamod mugs and the forum did one for our first Birthday. James had them made. July is not so far away and maybe we should start thinking now about if we want another mug for our Second Birthday and if we do, what do we want on it.
|
||||||
| Roly Williams |
It would be cool ( ) if we had a new one for each year. Perhaps this year it could have the forum logo and 200 (as in 2008))
|