would a bowman 234 run ok on mamod track?

spug103 · would a bowman 234 run ok on mamod track?

Hi guys before i take the plunge i thought i had better ask
would a bowman 234 run ok on mamod track?

cheers
ben

made-in-england

I dont think so no, the radi are too tight on the curves.

spug103

Oh bum!!!!!!!!!!!!!

johnreid

The Tender definitely wont, I doubt the 234 would either. I have been buying Lionel track for mine, but avoid the 30" radius curves, get the 5 or 6 foot radius curves.

steamyjim

I think the curves are alright, its the profile of the wheels that is the problem as far as I know. The flanges on a Bowman were very deep and Mamod track isn't

johnreid

I tried on 30" radius Lionel and it wont, I think Mamod is 30" radius also.

spug103

so whats the flange depth and the distance between the two fixed axles?

steamyjim

spug103

you cheeky monkey!!!
hows the track coming on steamyjim?

MooseMan

Nup, no chance. The wheel flanges are much too deep at 3.5mm...I've tried it. Runs fine on Hornby track with a 2ft radius though.

johnreid

My Tender binds against the back of the Loco on a 32" radius curve but the Loco looks like it just might go. If you are buying track or in the planning stage, I think you would be wise to go for a wider radius.

spug103

track bought, base built, too late

no bowman for ben

johnreid

If you can borrow one, try it.
What about the smaller ones, the 300 or the 265?

spug103

once the tracks fixed down and sorted i'll try one, but if mooseman is right, and im sure he is the wheels would need to be re-profiled, hmmm theres that rough one on e-bay at the moment, no one will mind a slight alteration on that!

steamyjim

spug103

dont worry boyo,
you can come down to devon and use my track!
any time your passing gimme a call

johnreid

I think Moose has the smaller Bowmans, ask him if they would work, I think the 0-4-0s are charming engines.

spug103

they are very nice but its the 234 i lust after

johnreid

My plans are to make a double oval, enabling the 234 to run on the outer oval but the inner having the narrower radius curves for a Mamod or MSS to run on. I want to make it a portable layout so if desired I could only set up the inner oval when space restricted. The 234 is a fine Loco, but I dont want to wear it out...too quickly

Paul H

I am a half owner in a 8' x 12' portable layout. It has two loops; the inner loop is gauge O and has 30" radius curves, and the outer loop is dual gauge with 42" radius curves. Works a treat for small and medium sized locos. One of our members runs almost strictly tinplate live steam and he uses our track frequently with his locos, though I only recall seeing his Bowman 410 on the track. If we take our layout to Portland next month, we may have another Bowman or two show up, you never know.

johnreid

Again, a real charming looking smaller Bowman

MooseMan

Well, seeing a Bowman 410 running would be a treat - they're very rare.

I can state for sure that the 234, 265 and 300 have the same wheel flanges. Shouldn't be too hard to cut down the flanges, but I'd be wary of trying that on a 234 or a 265 because they're big, heavy engines with a high centre of gravity. A 300 is about the size of a Mamod loco, so that might just work.