IndianaRog's Table

IndianaRog · IndianaRog's Table

Hi all...sorry to be a bit late to the party but I JUST got my video camera fixed about 3 hours ago, so only time to film and load up a couple of unique engines you won't see every day. I have thinned my collection this past year, but bought a couple as well and those I share here:

The first is a Birmingham Dribbler made by Bassett-Lowke in the mid '70's. I literally received it yesterday, so have had time for a quick dust and filming only. Solid brass except for burner and unfired to date. I do plan to fire it and will share a video of that later, but today it's just a look see at this unique form of early loco toy. I believe it was made to run on a floor/carpet, but I'd like to find some track with 2 5/8 inch spacing if such a thing exists.

I've got one more for show and tell, but it's loading now, hopefully in another 30-45 min. it will be ready.

cheers,
Rog

BK

Well that's a very impressive start Roger.

simon hudson

Lovely and interesting model.Plus as the old man said as he joined the boy scouts "Better late than never".Bet you can make some track, go on you know you can-Si

IndianaRog

OK...here is the second video I wanted to share. This little beast is called a Maier Mechanic Classic Butane engine. I received it recently in a trade with forum friend Clinton in Australia...I am very pleased with it. Definitely NOT steam, but it has all the mechanical elements we steamers love.

This engine is one cylinder and operates off butane gas like you buy for cigarette lighter recharging. It has a heavy 5 inch brass flywheel that serves to maintain momentum while the Piezo elect. ignition does it's thing and keeps a spark traveling to the spark plug. Dual chrome exhausts shoot cool (well, hot) blue flame about 1.5 inches from their tips, but that's not visible here, need the lights out.

Anyhow, it's different and once in awhile different is good.

Thanks again to Clinton for packing it so carefully for shipment, I know he in return loves the cast Jensen engine and stepper generator I sent in exchange. Another successful forum swap.

cheers,
Rog

Sandman

WHOOOO HOOOOO

I've been looking for you, my old friend. You've made my night.

That dribbler is in excellent condition, and I'm looking forward to the first steaming.

Excellent video, and one of the best commentaries in the business.

Les

You do not see many of those still in mint condition, welcome to the party Roger.

madeinenglang

Maier Mechanic Classic Butane engine is a good runner nice one

what cc is it dose have a cc of power?

IndianaRog

I've been following the party by the hour, but camera breakdown kept me on the sidelines so to speak until now. I have a mind for one more video or at least series of still photos for tomorrow. STWWW has been a grand event, simply an awesome array of our hobby's best pieces and best owners!

I'll be going over the posts for days to come as I'm sure many will.

cheers,
Rog

MooseMan

Great stuff Rog, and even greater that you could come the party!

IndianaRog

barry1946

Love the Maier Roger

how about some video taken in the dark so we can see the flames

IndianaRog

I will give it a try later tonite Barry...right now, gotta take the grandson to see the "Aliens in the Attic" movie.

Check back Sunday.

Rog

Steve_S

Two great engines there Rog! The Maier is certainly different... I'd like to see those flames too. As Simon said, you could probably make some track for the dribbler... that would be quite a sight!

steamgranny

Well worth the wait!

I have a fascination for dribblers & that's a lovely example. I hope the camera continues to perform & we can see more of it.

I'm familiar with the impressive Maier, as Bege from Blooo forum recently acquired both the vertical & the horizontal & what a racket when they run together!

IndianaRog

Keith S

Oh Rog, I've been waiting for your table. The dribbler is a really pretty engine. It would look nice on some track. You can make anything.

Why's it called a "dribbler"? Is it because it leaves little blobs of water and steam oil on the carpet as it runs?

Wallace

That's great Rog. Thoroughly enjoyed the vids (PB is deciding to be compatible with my PC again)

IndianaRog

[quote="Keith S"]Oh Rog, I've been waiting for your table. The dribbler is a really pretty engine. It would look nice on some track. You can make anything.

Why's it called a "dribbler"? Is it because it leaves little blobs of water and steam oil on the carpet as it runs?[/quote]

Exactly Keith...the original dribblers dating back to the 1880's were actually heated up on the kitchen stove(no burner of their own), then once the water was boiling they would be placed on the floor and would putter around dribbling water from the two oscillating cylinders. They were made primarily in Birmingham, hence Birmingham Dribbler!!! At least that is what I have read!

I know of two modern makers of Dribbler renditions, neither of which makes them any more:
1) Maxwell Hemmens
2) Bassett-Lowke (mid 1970's)
The distinguishing characteristic of the BL is the octagonal cylinder shape while the Hemmens cylinders were round.

I do need to find out if there is a track size that might fit the wheelbase, as to run a Dribbler on our floors would doom it to getting tangled with golden retriever hair. When I run my Wilesco Old Smoky conversion I spend as long unwinding hair from the wheels and axles as I do running it if done indoors!!!

Rog

kusuchi

Glad to see you at last, Rog.

I was wondering where you were.

metalhead100

Glad you made it to the party Roger!

I wanna see that Ignition engine up close ...

As far as track goes Roger,you could make some out of brass square stock and brass or wood ties....at least enough to run the booger on...

Number 3 gauge, 67 mm, 2 5/8 in

http://74.125.93.132/search?q=cac...nk&gl=us&client=firefox-a

http://www.thortrains.net/scale1.htm

scroll down for track chart and sizes...

http://www.hobbyinterest.com/model-railroad-gauges-and-scales.html

Jim

IndianaRog

Jim, some good ideas on track making...I have been thinking about using angle stock, either aluminum or brass...just something that could be screwed down to some wood spacers.

Next time you are over, maybe we can swap more ideas on that front. And you can definitely give the Maier a spin (literally) on the flywheel.

Rog

whistleman

looks and sounds great, Rog.

robertosala

My goodness Rog.

What kind of engine is that?
I am impressed.
Marvelous engineering pieces you've got there.
I've never thought such things existed.
Butane!!! what are you getting into?

Rob

BK

Oh, I like that gas engine, Clinton shouldn't have let it out of the country.

Re the flame, have you tried a still camera with the flash off and in close up mode??

IndianaRog

Ross

That mainer is awesome

I Like the ingenious carburettor!

A nice break from steam

Griffin

Glad to see you finally made it Rog. The Dribbler certainly looks to have a hefty feel to it, and that Maier is just wonderful.

IndianaRog

IndianaRog

A Gaggle of Gintschels... OK, lame, but I couldn't think of what else to call six Karsten Gintschel turbines running simultaneously as my last video for STWWW.

First off it's a bugger to get and keep 6 of them running all at once as they have short run times of a few minutes each. But, it only took me two tries and I got it, so I'm pleased.

For those not familiar with Karsten's work...he's a bright and creative engineer from former E. Germany who has developed about a dozen different iterations of tiny, precision steam turbines. Several forum members have them and a couple from this collection have gone on to those other members. What you see here are my favorites, the ones I run regularly and love dearly.

As you view the video you can see the following six Gintschels:

From left to right...

Karsten's "Gate" Turbine in HO scale

Karsten's "Ring" Turbine #40

Heron's "Steamball"

Turbine Saxonia #24

Heron's Radial Steam Turbine

Heron's Turbine #1

OK...here's the video, short and sweet...enjoy!!!

Rog

jakesm

not for the first time this weekend but once again i am speechless & dribbling a bit as well

Les

Roger, it is a treat to see all those going at once, thank you.

psantama

My father would just love one of those... maybe someday...

Dauntless

Lovely videos Rog, Many thanks for that!

I particularly like the Steam Turbines

Paul.

Sandman

Now that really is something different Roger.

You say you actually had more Karsten Gintschels.

Wow.

IndianaRog

Alf

Great vids. I really liked those Karstens.

Keith S

That must have been noisy... I enjoyed that. I especially like the narration in the videos, not everyone can do that as well as you, I would need a script...