| Archive for The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum The Original Unofficial Toy Steam Forum Established 2006 The biggest, most popular 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. |
| Les |
Tilford Toy Steam Rally 2008 with Les..Some pictures and videos of Tilford yesterday.I arrived at about 10.30 with some friends and we set up in one of the barns. when we arrived it was cold and wet, and it never got any better during the day, in fact it got worse when it started snowing!! |
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| Les |
After setting up, I had a wander round the other buildings where I pleased to meet MTA, Minor1PJG, Steamman, Mamodfan and Colin Laker.
Later on I also met Kritka(Steve) and saw his newly restored Bowman M140. Apologies for anyone I have missed out as I am lousy at remembering names. 
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| Les |
On MTA's table I saw the Jenny Wren and I was amazed at how small it is. Also there was his twin Mamod among plenty of his other nice engines.
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| Les |
Pictures of other peoples engine, I think they were Steammans but I am not sure.
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| johnreid |
Great pictures, if you have more please post them. Your new camera does a great job, maybe has something to do with the operator too. 
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| Les |
I do not about that John, but there is more pictures and video's to come.
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| kusuchi |
Not necessarily, John, I'm afraid 
I have a really nice SLR digital still camera, the photos it takes are awesome, but the operator is clueless. 
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| kusuchi |
Great
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| Les |
A couple of Kritika's exhibits, including his short owned Bowman M140.
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| Les |
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| Les |
I even managed to find a SEL Lathe, but unfortunately it wasn't for sale. 
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| johnreid |
Nice 130/2 Fleischmann, who does it belong to? | ||||||
| Les |
Some pictures of some of my engines and accessories.
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| Les |
Sorry, no idea John, but I had this feeling you would like the picture.
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| Les |
The first vidoe I took was the Jensen #75 running the Jensen #15. Although it ran the generator, I did have problems with the engine and getting it to turn the #15.
I put this down to the fact that it was the first time I had fired the #75! |
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| Les |
The next accessory to run was a Krauss Chromotrope c 1930.
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| johnreid |
A far more interesting device than the Wilesco wheel.
I think both the Jensen engine and Generator need some running in, a task that you should be up to. 
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| Les |
I agree with that, and it was the first time I had seen the wheel running as well. So a second video of it, this time being driven by a Bowman M101. |
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| johnreid |
There is only one problem with your pictures, there arent enough of them! | ||||||
| Les |
This one is for Richard, when we got him he was missing the pulley, so Meccanno to the rescue.
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| Les |
Sorry about that John, but I was concentrating on the running and the video, that I forgot to take any decent pictures of my engines.
Hope you like them so far. |
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| johnreid |
I see them quite often without the sausages, wonder if one could fashion new ones? | ||||||
| Les |
You should be able to as they are only wooden beads as you will see when Richards one arrives at your house. |
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| Les |
The #75 again with the generator.
Even though they both need running in, I am impressed with these.
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| kusuchi |
Beautiful ,Les. But I cannot help but notice the clamp anchoring the accesssory. Considering the remarkable collection you have why have you not grouped them into displays, diaramas, etc.
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| Les |
I do not have the room to keep the accessories on a board yet, and it easier to pack and transport them as they are. |
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| Les |
The M101 again, which was running for about an hour on one filling, this time with a Mohr & Krauss Mill with trip hammers c1930.
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| johnreid |
Those Bowmans seem to run forever dont they? I will have to do a photobucket of my "Kettle" running the 15 that I have, but not here.
Most often Accessories dont go cheaply when I have a bit in the discretionary fund. I think the Fleischmann is the one that goes the longest on a boiler of water though. I am enjoying seeing the accessories in motion, post as many as you wish as I am loving it. |
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| Les |
An Arnold Scissor Sharpener c1915
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| kusuchi |
Fortunately, this one seems complete with sausages and pulley. But you'll know before me, John.
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| Les |
This is the penultimate video.
This time a Bing 6 sided Fountain c 1930. You have to look closely as the water doesn't show up well in the video.
You can just see it splashing on the table.
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| Les |
That one is complete Richard. |
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| Les |
Unfortunately or maybe not, this is the last video I took off the afternoon.
Another one for Richard, this time a Wilesco Striker 2007. The batteries ran out before I got to run this one, hope you like it Richard and that your one arrives soon.
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| johnreid |
I will photograph and study the sausagemaker before shipping it out.
Do you need to replace the scissors on the sharpening guy often? I saw sparks so assume that it time it would wear down. |
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| Les |
I did run more engines after I stopped filming.
These were the Jensen #76, which ran ok, but it and I need to run more to learn it foilbles. I also ran the #76 with the #15, but it was struggling, all three Jensens need running in. |
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| Les |
The sparks you saw was from a lighter flint which fit into the scissors to make it look as if the scissors are being sharpened.
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| johnreid |
Clever | ||||||
| Les |
The last engine to run was the Bowman M158 which I recently got off e-bay. This too was it's first running since I got it, and it ran like the clappers, so much so, that I had to clamp it to the table to stop it dancing away. I was really impressed with the way it ran and the fact that there is nothing wrong with it. | ||||||
| Les |
All too soon though it was 4 o'clock and time to pack away, and even although it had been raining, sleeting, snowing and cold, I had a very enjoyable day, enhanced by meeting the forum members. 
Already thinking about camping next year so that there is no early start and no rush as such to get organised and set up.
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| kusuchi |
Thanks Les, Great collection. No wonder MTA couldn't get near for photos/
Andrew and I would like to come over to attend and maybe exhibit at your next major event. Not in snow however.
Is there any thing happening in summer that would attract the majority of forum members and be central to the UK? Meeting the members would be of even greater importance than their impressive collections.
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| Les |
To end the day, my friends, other half and myself then went into Farnham for a meal, which was very enjoyable, so after an 7.30am start, we didn't arrive home until 10.30pm and then still had to drop off home my granddaughter and then unload the car.
It then took another hour and a half to download pictures and video's ready for tonights posting, so I was very tired today. Cannot wait to do it again, this time at the end of September. |
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| Les |
Thankyou Richard, I am not sure about events yet, but if I find any I will let you know.
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| Nick |
Just got to this one Les, it was great to see your collection in action.
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| Sandman |
Great collection.
Good to see the accessories in action as well. |
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| flywheel61 |
Thanks les, for the opportunity to view some of the activity on the day, much appreciated.
Cheers
Chris |
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| MTA |
Some nice pics and superb quality videos there Les!
I really liked the fountain, I may have to keep a sharp eye out for one now 
Note to self: Laminate engine info signs
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| Minor1PJG |
Great stuff Les. I only saw some of those items running in the flesh, so nice to catch up on those I'd missed now.
My daughter really enjoyed playing wilth your granddaughter It was lovely hearing them talk about their experiences of steam fairs
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| Mamodman123 |
Great vid and pics Les!
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| Les |
Thankyou all for your kind comments,
There is one forum member I nearly forgot to mention and that is Chris Withers, who is owner of the accessories in this picture, as well as the Bowman E158 at the back and the Falk to the right of the picture.
4000 |
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| Les |
Thankyou, and once the two girls met up they seemed inseparable. And once I started firing up some engines, I had no time to come back and look at anybody elses in steam. |
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| Nick |
What brand is the blue buffing wheel next to your Jensens? | ||||||
| Les |
You could ask an easier question because at the moment it is unknown.
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| Nick |
Okay, how well did your meths burners work in the Jensens? Did they fit well? |
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| Nick |
Do you have a link to where I can buy these burners? |
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| Les |
This is the one for the #76
http://www.forest-classics.co.uk/burner_g8.htm And this is the one for the #75 http://www.forest-classics.co.uk/Burner%20G10.htm |
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| Les |
With the #75, I will have to bend the front lip on the burner tray, and with the #76 there were a couple of times when it went out but I am not sure why yet. Apart from that they were fine. |
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| Nick |
Thanks Les, but the handles look different on yours.
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| Les |
They are, but the burners are the same though. |
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| kusuchi |
Thanks, Les, Unless I am mistaken a number of the videos you shot were of pieces you knew we specifically would like to see in action.
Being so far away, Andrew and I can only extend our most sincere thanks for your consideration. The Striker is still backordered with Ministeam, so I ordered it out of the UK today. As my parents age, (my mother was 85 a week ago), we will almost certainly be making trips to England at least once a year from now on As I have said before, it would be great if we could time some of these trips to coincide with some of the better attended Steam Fairs. We would not be able to exhibit many engines, but with the aid of a couple of laptops we might be able to put on something of a show.
It would also be great to meet the other members of the forum. Can't help but notice in the audio the start of the conversation that led to Steve's '63 N&B TE1 purchase .
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| Les |
At the time on Saturday it was a case of 'well the engine is in steam, lets start playing'. So some of them were random, but I did do the Sausage Maker and the Striker with you in mind, just to give you a flavour of what to expect when yours arrives. And yes, that in the audio was the start of Steve telling me how he met you and the story of the TE n&b, and then somebody else said that there was one of those in the next shed, and the rest is history.
It would be nice to meet you and your family so I will have a look to see which shows are on and let you know.
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| Wallace |
Great pics and fantastic videos Les. It's appreciated
Really gives a good idea of what it was like there. Looks like it was a great day. Thanks for sharing
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| Les |
Thankyou, it was a great day, it just went too quick, and once I started steaming and filming I didn't really notice the cold. |
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| Nick |
Les, how eaisly could new sausages be to make out of beads? I found a "missing sausage" one and might pick it up. |
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| Les |
Quite easy if you can find the right size beads, or if you have a lathe use some dowelling and drill a hole through the centre and cut them to length.
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| johnreid |
I am watching that auction too, but am not going to bid. Go for it Nick. | ||||||
| Les |
I do not think the seller realises that there is anything missing from the toy.
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| Nick |
He thinks it's a grinder. | ||||||
| johnreid |
There is a grinder up for auction too, I am watching it with more interest. | ||||||
| Nick |
There's actually 2, are you watching the dirty one or the clean one with the box? | ||||||
| Nick |
I guess they both have the box. 
One ends today, the other in 4 days. |
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| johnreid |
Both have some flaws I also am looking at the punch ( there are two also ) as I am thinking that I would like some tools for a summer project, but the little men operating tools would go well with it too. | ||||||
| Kritika |
My ears were burning Richard
I don’t know if this is any help but Fred has an excellent list here of all the steam events in the UK for 2008. http://www.stationarysteamengines.co.uk/stia/events.htm I will be attending and exhibiting my full collection at the: - AMBERLEY INDUSTRIAL MUSEUM, SUSSEX SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 20, It’s not the biggest show for just TOY steam such as the STIA, but it is massive for mini and full size traction engines. It also has the best collection of Toy Steamboats I have personally ever seen at one of these shows, which are shown in a big paddling pool as you walk in near the entrance. Simon organised some Forum tables last year, but if Les and his Bournemouth mates could come along this year as well, they would really make it worthwhile for you to make the trip and I know they would enjoy it as its an excellent venue being a working steam museum. The venue it truly lovely, its a whole valley dedicated to Working STEAM complete with miniature railway etc, I am sure Andrew would love it. http://www.amberleymuseum.co.uk/index2.html To top it all being at the end of the British summer if the weather is good - trust me it will take some beating.
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| bessytractor |
good grief that fountain sprays pretty well! |