| Archive for The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum The Original Toy Steam Forum Established 2006 The biggest, most popular global 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. |
| Swift Fox |
Swift Fox's tribute to the independants *Now Finished*
You might have noticed some of the Mamods in my welcome photo above, however my table this year will not be featuring any of the many well known brand names as I would like to focus on a different aspect of the hobby this time around. My table is a tribute to the unsung heroes of our hobby who are quietly driving it forwards with fresh and innovative designs, many of these makers receive little attention due to the fact they are individuals and not large companies and I would like to highlight some examples that I have in my current collection for my table this year. 
So without further ado I will start with my first maker: Ben Peake A lot of you already know of Ben’s work thanks to the forum but for the benefit of newer members I thought I would show off my collection here. Ben has really worked hard to build up his business producing these fine engines and I can imagine it has been a big challenge when you start out with no reputation and I think has done really well for himself despite only starting out in 2007. 
MF Steam Another maker that has made a name for himself is Ian Grantham who produces the 1939 Mamod Minor twin replica and other quality parts for vintage engines. Ian first launched the limited edition MM2 replica in 2007 and I’m very lucky to have #50 which is the middle of the batch in my collection. The engines is a very smooth runner and is a testament to the quality work that went into its creation. 
Philcraft A British maker that produces some of the smallest live steam models in the world, Phil Gravett has been producing these miniature marvels since at least the early 1980’s and is still going today albeit at a much slower rate of production. There is a nice variety of engines that Phil produces from the diminutive Jenny Wren to the flagship beam engine plant. 
More to come later in the day. 
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| Dampfmaschine |
The Philcraft beam engine is simply stunning. | ||||
| Roly Williams |
A great idea for a thread. 
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| colin |
Love the Philcraft engines.Well photographed | ||||
| Pete the steam |
Great show mate
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| Penybontshed |
Loving it! | ||||
| Dauntless |
Very nice Philip I'm loving your idea!
Paul |
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| IndianaRog |
Great thread, great offerings...bravo for the upstart makers! | ||||
| Swift Fox |
Kleinemeier Modellbau (KMV)
Andreas Kleinemeier has a nice range of engines with quality solid construction throughout, this talented German maker has built some interesting designs such as the enclosed ‘engine house’ and many others and has also produced custom builds for various people including myself. The Meccano engine which has now been released (thanks Roly  ) should be very popular as no current steam toy manufacturers make a dedicated engine for powering Meccano models that I know of.
James Maiwald Another great engineer from Germany, James produces some really fine Stirling and Vacuum (flamelicker) engines. He is probably best known for the flamelickers and has produced some really interesting designs and I’m very proud to have an example of his work in my collection. I believe his website/youtube channel name ‘Keller’ means Cellar, although my German isn’t the best so feel free to correct me. He produces all of these models in his cellar workshop by hand and they are of a very fine quality. 
Wolfgang Engineering Wolfgang engineering produces a nice range of all metal turbines, they mainly produce CNC equipment but they also do the odd run of turbines. Mine is a simple one and one of their first designs (I think?) but recently they have been making enclosed turbines that can run up to 60,000 RPM!!! 
More to come.
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| Roly Williams |
I notice a Bittleston engine tucked away there in the main photo. Have you managed to find out anything about it? | ||||
| Swift Fox |
Sadly not Roly i have no idea who makes it but i felt it should be included in the lineup even if it is an 'unknown'. |
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| Roly Williams |
The Meccano engine is now available. I have one on it's way 
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| Swift Fox |
Just edited my post cheers Roly for that information, i may have to order one of those for myself.
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| kd02 |
Great idea, showing the lesser known manufacturers, fantastic collection Philip,
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| Celsius 100 |
I like your new approach and it displays very well an interesting and great variety of engines. | ||||
| KMV |
Nice that i am an "independant".
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| ian.allen2 |
Nice collection you have there Philip. A good selection of engines. | ||||
| Les |
Some great engines there, you have made me, and I expect a lot of others, very envious.
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| Swift Fox |
Thanks for all the nice comments so far guys.
The bulk of my table will all be online today as i'm a bit upside down at the weekend but i'm hoping to post at least one video and also some photos of a never before seen engine all being well.
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| Sandman |
Magic stuff Philip, and a great idea for your table. | ||||
| Swift Fox |
Psantama
Peter Santa Maria has been making these fine quality generators for some time; they are probably the finest generator for a model steam engine on the market today. Peter’s innovative use of stepper motors makes for good output and it also features a voltmeter and banana jacks for external use as well as a nice lamppost with two LED’s plus it looks good to boot! 
Miscellaneous Lastly I thought I’d share my collection of individual engines from different makers, the two Rocker engines were made by our very talented member Dean Williams, the other solid looking Rocker engine is made by UK eBay seller Chris Allen. The vertical engine is made by an unknown maker for Chronos Engineering supplies. 
Conclusion Whilst we should all be very thankful that good companies like Mamod, Jensen, Wilesco & many others are still producing steam toys, I still think there is a place for the engines I’ve shared here with you all and I hope it has raised the awareness of the individual maker of steam engines who also has a part to play in the hobby as a whole. *More to come tomorrow* Well that wraps it up from me today, i'm going to spend the rest of the evening browsing other tables, my table isn't quite finished as i hope to have some other stuff to post up either tomorrow or Sunday so stay tuned! |
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| Sandman |
Excellent pics Philip.
I have to agree with you, that Blue Thunder is one of the best quality generators you can buy. It does take a bit of turning over though as I found out. |
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| Burnmafingers |
Had a good look at this when meant to be compiling my own thread and see that you have added yet more engines
Your choice of focusing on minority manufactures is a splendid one, what a lovely collection to showcase the point. |
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| Gary279 |
Well done, splendid presentation! | ||||
| Dave S |
A fantastic line up Philip. Quite frankly I don't know where to look, all your engines look so good 
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| Steve_S |
Excellent stuff Philip. What a great collection you have. | ||||
| Tonupbear |
Lovely collection, are you a salesman
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| Dean W |
You put up a good show, Philip. I sure like the KMV steam plants and the Philkraft engines. And all the rest, of course! | ||||
| redryder |
I really like seeing engines manufactured by 3 different forum members.
Gil |
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| Wallace |
Nice seeing the engines by the independants
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| Swift Fox |
With the themed part of my table now finished i wanted to share these atmospheric shots of my Mamod Showman’s engine ‘Cindy’ running at night:
I hope to get a couple of videos uploaded later in the day. |
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| Sandman |
Looks great in the soft light Philip.
Looking forward to the vids. |
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| Wallace |
I love the lighting on that.
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| Swift Fox |
Back to the theme of the independants, here are two videos of some of the engines running, i hope you enjoy them:
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| Dave S |
Absolutely brilliant engines Philip, I love the KMV. The Philcraft ones are really works of artistic perfection
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| magpie38 |
great pics and a greatb idea | ||||
| Roly Williams |
Those 3 Philcrafts sound great running together Sounds like a motor bike race!
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| Celsius 100 |
Very good videos Philip.The three Philcrafts are a special delight. | ||||
| Sandman |
Great vids Philip.
I like the way you've mounted the KMVs. Real handy for showing. |
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| Swift Fox |
Pleased you all like the videos, the Philcrafts sound like a mob of angry wasps as there are four oscillators running there. I'll admit it was a challenge to get them all going at the same time but i was pleased with the results.
I should have one more engine to share with you all soon.
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| MI Steam |
You done a nice job showing the different independents photos. The KMV video was fun to watch.
Carl |
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| Roly Williams |
Hmmm?
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| Freespawn |
great engines love them all
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| Swift Fox |
A very special engine by Ben PeakeI thought I’d end my table on a high note and share a very special engine with you all, I hadn’t intended to unveil it during STWWW as I had hoped to have it for my birthday in September but there were a few teething troubles which is not surprising given its complex design.Anyway I proudly present the Vulpine Triple: 
This engine was built for me by Ben Peake, I first commissioned it way back in January and I’m pleased to unveil it to you all today. I don’t actually have this engine in my hands just yet and these are Ben’s own photos that he has kindly allowed me to share with you all. Expect to see a full post on the normal boards when I have it in my own hands.
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| Les |
 Will the triple be a one off or does Ben plan to make some more?
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| Roly Williams |
WOW That's one helluva birthday present. Love it
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| Swift Fox |
I would like to think it is Les since i asked him to build it for me but at the end of the day it is really up to Ben. The inspiration for this engine was the Mersey 55 radial steam engine, however unlike the Mersey this engine is double acting. |
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| Sandman |
Oh boy, that is one corker of an engine, Philip.
I really look forward to seeing it run. |
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| Freespawn |
wow that is one special engine cant wait too see it in person 
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| xlchainsaw |
i love your theme and wholly support the concept of "independant steam" after the "yesteryear model" (so old as to be "new") mass produced models (complete the "catologue" collecting) what else is "new"?????? only clever designs made by a few and beleive they are the "rarest of the rare"
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| Dauntless |
Wow Philip a wonderful display and a great engine to end on a high note I Love it! | ||||
| Albert.rivero |
very nice indeed ;D | ||||
| Dave S |
The Vulpine Triple looks a very interesting design. I can't wait to see it running.
I really enjoyed your table Philip. It was great to see the variety of engines from independant builders
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| The Denying Dutchman |
Very nice table, I like the independant idea very much.
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| IndianaRog |
Philip, your salute to the Independents has been a joy to scroll through.
Your final photo of your Peake commissioned piece is really awesome...you sure kept that quiet! |
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| Stoker |
Oooooh, very nice Philip, very very nice. | ||||
| flywheel61 |
Great independents there, Love the Philcrafts, your right, they do sound like a flight of hornets. Thanks for showing us your engines, including 'the one off' Vulpine, I hope it stays that way, but as you say, it's up to Ben.
Cheers
Chris |
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| Swift Fox |
Before the sheds close i'd like to take this time to thank everyone who has viewed and or posted on my table, i'd also like to thank the organisers too as it has been a really good event for all concerned.
I can now confirm the Vulpine Triple is a one off, even Ben didn't make one for himself so this engine is even more special to me and a very unique piece being 1 of only 1. |