Hello from a genuine newbie

markos · Hello from a genuine newbie

Well, hello...I have been lurking for a while here learning a little about toy steam as I know next to nothing.

I have 2 kids, and been thinking 'why should they get all the good toys?' My eldest has always been fascinated by anything train or steam related, and I guess it's infectious!

I have so many things to learn. I have seen this - http://uk.geocities.com/rolywilliams/lst_ug.html recommended, so guess it's as good a place as any to start. Are there any particular skills I need?

What I'd really like is a garden railway, but that's going to take some time to convince my better half of the merits of such an idea.

I will probably go with a mobile first up - a steam roller. I can afford to buy new for a first engine, and figure while I know nothing, it's a good place to start. Don't want to be trying to restore or fix an engine with no knowledge or skills.

My birthday is not for a few months, so I will try and learn what I can before I buy, and look forward to the widsom imparted by those more knowledgeable than me!

Anyone with helpful advice on getting me underway is greatly appreciated.

Sandman

A big Scottish welcome to the forum Markos.

You've come to the right place.

We have all the expert advice and knowlege that will help you in this wonderful hobby.

I'm a relativly new convert, so I'll leave it up to the real experts to give you some guidance.

I hope you enjoy your stay.

Roly's book is a must.

Les Marsh

A big

from Bournemouth.

Some times little snippets of information come in very handy.

Atticman

Hello, welcome to the forum, you will learn a lot very quickly Iam sure.

You may be best though to get an older roller, as personally I think the quality is often better. The construction is often fairly basic, and lots of modifications are possible.

There are some geat new ones, though I think they are quite pricy

johnreid

Welcome aboard, Steam can sure be a lot of fun and the folks here are great for tips and advice.

tmuir

Hi Markos, and Welcome.
Roly is also a member here so if you have any particular questions about his book he can answer them for you too.

If your just looking for a new engine to steam its all pretty straight forward and you shouldn't have any problems.
For a new roller that isn't going to cost you the earth you really only have the choice of two.
A Mamod or a Wilesco.
The Wilesco is a much more sophisticated engine if a little more flimsy than a Mamod whilst a Mamod is considerably simpler and easier to work on should you ever need to but ultimately just go with the one you like the look of the most.
A new engine will use solid fuel tablets rather than meths and I would recommend running them in a well ventilated place as the solid fuel can really stink.
Make sure you only use distilled water not deionised with the engine and you should not have any problems.

If you do decide on a garden railway start saving now as that starts getting very expensive especially if you develop a taste for the more sophisticated engines.

There are a lot of shops in Australia you can buy a mobile from but you may find it cheaper to buy one from UK and get it mailed to you but check on the postage cost before you commit to buy.

If you do decide you want a new stationary I would recommend the Steamco brand. Australian made very well constructed and looks nice and if you watch ebay you can get one for under $200 including postage.
Here is one on ebay now
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Steamco-Do...PageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Good luck and don't be afraid to ask any other questions.

Tony

Mamodman123

Welcome to the forums!

Fire the questions away

mc_mc

Welcome to the forum. You've done the best thing you can possibly do by finding this place. Roly's book is an excellent read and great value for money.

Also I highly recommend taking a trip round the webring (see the links right at the bottom of the page) there's lots of good information on all the member sites.

IndianaRog

Hi Markos...welcome coming from Indiana in the central USA.

Tony's comments about getting started are spot on. I have both the Mamod and Wilesco rollers and they are lovely engines...you would be happy with either or both.

Enjoy browsing here and so glad you joined us. Our Australian contingent seems to be the fastest growing group. Tony's website on Australian born and bred engines is a must see...easy to find via the WEBRING at the bottom of the screen.

cheers,
Roger

MooseMan

Hi Markos, welcome from Cardiff, Wales!

A lot of people get into the hobby with a Mamod TE1A steam tractor.....they're easy to get secondhand (and I would recommend a secondhand one because they are nicely run in), simple to use, easy to maintain and most importantly a barrelful of fun!

Nick

from MN.

Mister Occlusion

G'day.

A Roller is an excellent choice for a mobile. A good flat surface is a must for running either, since they do not have a pile of ground clearance, nor the go to overcome much in the way of obstacles.

The Mamod is a simpler and more straightforward one to run, while the Wilesco gets my nod for having a somewhat more powerful and sophisticated piston valve engine. There's more to look at, and you can throttle it down so that it barely ticks over.

...Of course I'm forgetting that if you're buying new, Mamod also has a piston valve engine on one of their rollers. That'd be a treat too.

I'll second the SteamCo Stationaries. Lovely little engines, built to old world standards

Enjoy your stay.

Les Marsh

bessytractor

welcome to the forum Markos!

I can heartily recommend the Mamod roller or tractor, great engines, they can be restored from just about a total wreck, and spares are easy to come by.

TRAPPERKEEPER

Great first choice of engine Markos, Mobiles are the best. I have the Wilesco roller and Mamod roller, and would recommend both highly

Welcome to the forums!

Cranko

Big welcome from New zealand mate

hansdampf

A big welcome from Germany, I'd choose a Mamod roller, cause they are very sturdy easy to clean and look like an old toy. Wilescos have more power but are not every time manufactured with care. Every 2nd to 3rd Wileco I own from newer production had severe failures out of the box- not at all what you think from "made in Germany". But their service is excellent. If a faulty engine was there- it will run for years.

James

Huge welcome to the forum Markos!!

barry1946

from a VERY windy Scotland

Griffin

Welcome to the forum markos

You carn't go wrong with a TE or an SR.

steamgranny

Big

Markos

Steve_S

Welcome to the forum Markos. I can't add anything to what the others have said about Mamod and Wilesco mobiles... both have their strong points, and both are lots of fun! I hope you'll find lots of information and tips on the forum, and as you've probably seen, lots of entertaining banter too!

Graham-Jilly

Welcome Marcos from Brisbane Qld you will love it here

paul_c

Welcome aboard Markos,

Plenty to see and read here, if you have a desire for garden rail there are plenty of vids here or Google search - garden rail or mamod loco, that brings up heaps on Youtube

Wallace

Welcome to the forums mate

Manxman

Another welcome. This time from the Isle of Man. I can't add anything to the Wilesco / Mamod debate. But trust me, one will not be enough. These things just get to you and before you know it, you'll have a small collection and a daily visit to eBay / the forum, just to check, will become part of your routine.

Enjoy your time with us. If you do decide to go and look on eBay, please post a link to anything you fancy. Someone on here will quickly tell you if it looks wrong and what you should be paying. We're a very friendy bunch and theirs more than enough good Mamod and Wilesco Rollers and TE's out there for all of us.

toxx

... welcome to the forums, Markos!

CCairns

Welcome to the Forum from a much calmer Scotland today.

Good to see someone else who is looking at building a Garden Railway. They are very addictive and you will definitely not stop at one loco, but it is a lot of fun.

And whilst you are waiting for steam pressure to build on your prize live steam loco, you'll find driving a roller or traction engine around the patio most enjoyable too.

Plenty of experience here on the Forum so just ask - someone has bound to have done it before or know a suitable answer.

Minor1PJG

A very big welcome from the South of England.

I have both Mamod and Wilesco mobiles and would recomend the Mamod over Wilesco for ruggedness. You will stilll buy the Wilesco but that will be later in the year

The early ones are best for sure. Don't be afraid to buy second hand. If you find something you like on e-bay put a post up and everyone will advise if everything appears to be as it should and offer a guide price too so you don't spend too much.

Enhjoy