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       The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum Forum Index -> Restorations
MooseMan

My Bowman 265 loco

I'm finally getting around to running in my 265 loco - I've now received the replacement burner (for those of you don't know, Bowman loco burners are very elaborate multiple fire tube affairs), made by Don Bowerman in York.

This loco is one of the best EBay buys I've ever done - it was in bits, and the seller was auctioning off just the boiler and cab. I won it for £10, and then he emailed me to say that he'd found the frame, wheels and piston/cylinders as well, and di I wantthem for another £10? Did I ever! A 265 for £20, couldn't believe my luck. With the new burner total comes to £50, still a total bargain.

As there was NO paint left on this one I decided to paint it up and make it a workhorse engine - my 234 runs fine, but the original paint on that is so nice that I don't want to damage it by firing it up too often.
So yesterday evening I finished the "restoration" by soldering in a new steam pipe, and sparked it up. I only ran it on the bench, for a loco that hasn't run for ages it did really wel. Still needs new felt oiler pads, but it's going to be a great little worker.

Some video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8qoVn5tyPo
Mamodman123

Saw the video this morning Mooseman was searching on youtube . Looks like a very nice job indeed! What a bargain that is . Can we have some stills of the loco? How long did it run for? I hear they can literally travel for miles?
MooseMan

A picture, Mamodman? Absolutely, this one was taken last night. As you'll notice, the paint is getting nicely distressed already! Not the most handsome of the Bowman locos, but a great little runner.
It ran for about half an hour yesterday. A 234 will run for about 40 minutes.



My 234 below - the biggest of the Bowmans. Can also be seen running on Youtube.

Mamodman123

Nice Mooseman! Ive seen a few of those locos!

Problem ive heard is finding track for the wheels to fit? what type of track did you use?
MooseMan

Mamodman123 wrote:
Nice Mooseman! Ive seen a few of those locos!

Problem ive heard is finding track for the wheels to fit? what type of track did you use?


I use some Gamage branded track, but the old Hornby O Gauge stuff also works. The Gamage track has as advantage that it has built-in coupling clips, and is very stable.
Mamodman123

Yes I see,

I think i saw one of those smaller ones and could have had it for 50 but wasn't sure on the track etc.

Ive got 2 mamod locos which have both been repainted (before me aswell) and the paint is holding out ok because the mamod locos have like a chamber to keep the flames away from the paint
Sandman

I would like to formally complain.

First it was Mike who got me sold on Bowman stationery engines. Now Mooseman comes along and infects me with another strain of Bowmanitis. Locos.

Have you no respect for my marriage. If I buy any more she'll flip. We've only got a small flat. She says if I get any more I'll be banished to the shed.

Might not be a bad idea that. I could have all my Bowmans round about me.
MTA

Just the one small loco wouldn't hurt surely?
Sandman

DON'T EVEN JOKE ABOUT IT.
MooseMan

Sandman wrote:
I would like to formally complain.

First it was Mike who got me sold on Bowman stationery engines. Now Mooseman comes along and infects me with another strain of Bowmanitis. Locos.

Have you no respect for my marriage. If I buy any more she'll flip. We've only got a small flat. She says if I get any more I'll be banished to the shed.

Might not be a bad idea that. I could have all my Bowmans round about me.


Ha! Another lost soul!
MooseMan

Mamodman123 wrote:
Yes I see,

I think i saw one of those smaller ones and could have had it for 50 but wasn't sure on the track etc.

Ive got 2 mamod locos which have both been repainted (before me aswell) and the paint is holding out ok because the mamod locos have like a chamber to keep the flames away from the paint


I think the Mamod locos are a bit more sophisticated, but those Bowmans do run extremely well.
Must get a Mamod at some point though - very interesting to see all the mods that you can do.
Mamodman123

Sandman wrote:
I would like to formally complain.

First it was Mike who got me sold on Bowman stationery engines. Now Mooseman comes along and infects me with another strain of Bowmanitis. Locos.

Have you no respect for my marriage. If I buy any more she'll flip. We've only got a small flat. She says if I get any more I'll be banished to the shed.

Might not be a bad idea that. I could have all my Bowmans round about me.


lots more Bowmans for Sandman
Wallace

Very nice Mooseman. Ver very nice locos
       The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum Forum Index -> Restorations
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