Wallace
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Probably a really stupid question about Mamod LocosWe may put our place up for sale soon. Plan to move into a bigger place, or moreso want a bigger yard.
I really appreciate the Locos, but simply don't have the room for a permanent setup here. I always thought I'd get a loco if I had the room for a permanent setup.
Anway, with all the additions, IP lubricators, upgraded s/v's, wheels etc etc you all do, is it possible to just buy a Mamod Loco, stick a loco meths burner in it, and run it?
Or do most require an upgrade to run well?
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Graham-Jilly
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They will run fine with out modification but a little lacking in pulling power I have found unless you find a realy good one.
I have only modded one up and thats the MSS green Loco we call Marvin.
a meths burner is realy esential IMHO as its hard to get esbit or mamod tablets here at a cheap price and they stink also 
get a loco mate but be careful they breed
we can attest to that 
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Stitch
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Re: Probably a really stupid question about Mamod Locos | Wallace wrote: | had the room for a permanent setup.
Anway, with all the additions, IP lubricators, upgraded s/v's, wheels etc etc you all do, is it possible to just buy a Mamod Loco, stick a loco meths burner in it, and run it?
Or do most require an upgrade to run well? |
Wallace, a bl**dy good question and one that i have had in my mind for sometime 
The upgrade question had been putting me off getting a loco and it will be interesting to hear what others have to say.
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Chris
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Crucial upgrades in my opinion:
Meths burner (easy to fit, might have to file the ends off some bolts)
Safety valve - just screws in the hole.
A water top up valve is also good as then you can just keep topping up with meths and water and keep the loco running and running.
So no work at all needed there, just buy the bits.
The standard regulator isn't very precise, but you can slow the loco down with some wagons.
Personally I think the other upgrades are "nice to haves", and I will slowly be adding these onto my locos (upgraded pistons, regulators, maybe a lubricator, possibly some steel wheels).
I'd be interested to try a gas burner, but MM doesn't rate them and it is £50 to find out what they are like.
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Graham-Jilly
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there is a gas burner on the loco we won from switzerland so will let you know how it goes or is worth it
G-J
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tmuir
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If cash was tight a meths burner and uprated SV will do it Wallace.
You may want to strip it down and lap some parts etc but that just takes time not money.
All the rest are nice but not essential, its a bit like doing up a car, fitting a 350 Holly will give you more go but if you only want to get from A to B do you really need it?
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Wallace
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G-J Chris and Tony, thanks for all the comments
Stitch, I'm glad I'm not the only one
I certainly would go for a meths burner, and a s/v. But wasnt too sure on the other parts.
I think I'd go with the option of adding weight to slow it down, unless I added R/C (which would be a long way down the track).
Thanks again, and when I get some money together, I'll keep watch on some
Cheers
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Graham-Jilly
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Wallace a control valve gives you better control of the amount of steam to the cylinders the standard forward reverse valve is hard to control and just a minute movement can make the engine race or not go at all so thats why I fitted one.
As for the inline lube makes it easier to keep the cylinders lubricated and keep up the pressure and gives greater pulling power 
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Wallace
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Ok, thanks for that G-J 
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Mamodman123
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If you have to choose over any upgrade go for the safety valve, Solid fuel will heat it fine, just doesn't last long enough
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Minor1PJG
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As some of you may know I was a Loco 'newbie' earlier this year but with some support from the forum got my SL1K from being a poor performer to being a star!!
The biggest improvement came from running the engine in. Put it up on blocks, oil it and run it!! I did add the SV and meths burner but running in was the key.
I have another loco (they do breed) that was in well used condition, so well run in, and that was run initially on solid fuel and the standard safety valve and that was a very steady performer and better than my SL1K initially. However, the uprated SV has changed it completely into a steady powerful runner.
Not sure whether I will go for further upgrades of just buy more track, rolling stock or another loco of course!  !
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Wallace
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Thanks for that advice
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PTLRcecil
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It probably is possible to just buy a loco stick a meths burner in and run it but not advisable as it would only have a small increase in power and the risk of running it out of water doesnt bear thinking about.
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Chris
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The meths burner will run out before the boiler does assuming it is an IP/PPS burner.
Water top up valve is only a few quid anyway.
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Mamodman123
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I guess you shouldn't refill the burner without re-filling the water anyway 
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PTLRcecil
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The problem my mate had with ip burners is tyhat they lasted for about 2 minutes literally then ran out of meths since the tank on them is absoloutly tiny.
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Mamodman123
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| PTLRcecil wrote: | | The problem my mate had with ip burners is tyhat they lasted for about 2 minutes literally then ran out of meths since the tank on them is absoloutly tiny. |
I must admit, they do run out pretty quickly 
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PTLRcecil
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What we did with an Ip burner was take the existing tank straight off it and build a larger one. If its still between the frames it looks good and provided you top up the water before the meths shouldnt damage the boiler. Its what my mate did with his mamod. I tend to just scratch build the whole assembly cos Im a cheapskate that way.
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Mamodman123
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| PTLRcecil wrote: | | What we did with an Ip burner was take the existing tank straight off it and build a larger one. If its still between the frames it looks good and provided you top up the water before the meths shouldnt damage the boiler. Its what my mate did with his mamod. I tend to just scratch build the whole assembly cos Im a cheapskate that way. |
I was planning on modifying my burner, but I never seemed to get around to it . Something to look into anyway
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Chris
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Mine runs for a good long time now, but have made the wicks short. I pretty much need to fill up with water when I fill up with meths.
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tmuir
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I've got a good system worked out on my meths burner.
I put 15ml of meths in, light it and bring it up to boil.
Once its up steaming I let it do one lap of my track and add 5mls.
When the meths runs out the water is just about to go below the site glasss so its time to stop anyways.
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Chris
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| tmuir wrote: | I've got a good system worked out on my meths burner.
I put 15ml of meths in, light it and bring it up to boil.
Once its up steaming I let it do one lap of my track and add 5mls.
When the meths runs out the water is just about to go below the site glasss so its time to stop anyways. |
Yep, that is pretty much what mine does now I have short wicks. Although I top up with water and meths to keep it running.
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Sandman
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| Chris wrote: | | tmuir wrote: | I've got a good system worked out on my meths burner.
I put 15ml of meths in, light it and bring it up to boil.
Once its up steaming I let it do one lap of my track and add 5mls.
When the meths runs out the water is just about to go below the site glasss so its time to stop anyways. |
Yep, that is pretty much what mine does now I have short wicks. Although I top up with water and meths to keep it running. |
Never mind mate. I've got a big nose.
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PTLRcecil
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Ive nearly got mine worked to a tee when she comes in to fill up fill with water first till its nearly full then fill the meths and by the time your finished filling its ready to go.
I imagine each mamod through would have different lengths of wick ans steam gerneration rates so it all depends on that really.
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Chris
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| Sandman wrote: | | Chris wrote: | | tmuir wrote: | I've got a good system worked out on my meths burner.
I put 15ml of meths in, light it and bring it up to boil.
Once its up steaming I let it do one lap of my track and add 5mls.
When the meths runs out the water is just about to go below the site glasss so its time to stop anyways. |
Yep, that is pretty much what mine does now I have short wicks. Although I top up with water and meths to keep it running. |
Never mind mate. I've got a big nose. |
My wicks my be short but my meths tank is full.
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Wallace
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LMAO
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