The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum

Nick · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 4:41 pm Post subject: Bowman 234 Test

If you haven't seen my new Mamod loco test, check it out:

http://modelsteam.myfreeforum.org/about23112.html

I decided to try out my best running and largest capacity Bowman, the 234.

I filled the boiler with room temperature water and filled the burner with meths. I also capped off 2 of the 6 wicks, so I was running on 4.

I ended up with a run time of 49 minutes, before the burner was dry! (that does not count the time it took to boil the water)

What was even more impressive, was the fact that there was 130 ml of water left in the boiler, so if I had re-filled the burner it could have gone forever.

Now to figure out the distance and speed.

I was again running on O-72 which has a circumfrence of 18.85 feet.

The loco made a total of 482 laps! I was actually getting excited for the burner to go empty, because I was tired of counting the laps.

This means the loco traveled 9085.7 feet, or 1.721 miles. That's nearly 1 3/4 miles on a single filling of the burner!

I then calculated its speed and came up with 2.106 mph, so it was running a little faster than the Mamod, but there were times when it was barely moving and times where I had to release some steam to keep it from de-railing (that's where the advantage of the gas burner on the Mamod comes in)

On the other test, I calculated the common O-scale speeds. At 1:43 scale, it is moving at 90.56 mph and at 1:48 it's moving at 101.09 mph. Mamod scale is roughly 1:20.3, so at that scale it was moving at 42.75 mph.

Now the question, does anyone know what scale the Bowman 234 would be close to?

And finally, some videos of the run:

And this is how I released some steam 3 or 4 times because it was picking up too much speed:

IndianaRog · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 5:25 pm Post subject:

Wow Nick...NO hesitation with that baby...great runner and amazing to think it could go for 49 min. AFTER the boil was reached and it still had water in the boiler. Pretty economical with steam and meths!
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johnreid · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 7:18 pm Post subject:

You can get an hour with one of those, I preheat the water though. The 234 is a great runner, and the Tender doesnt seem to have much affect on the run time or speed. Another thing is to cap off a coulple of the wicks, Aluminum foil works good for that, the Locomotive slows down a little and the run time is extended some.
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Nick · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 7:25 pm Post subject:

I still had 130 ml of water, so I think it could have made an hour and a half or more if I added more fuel.

One of the wicks has a Bowman made cap (after seeing them sell on ebay, it's probably worth more than the burner!

) and a second wick was capped with tin foil.

EDIT: I tried 3 wicks, but only got about 3 laps and it would stop. I may try to partially cap the 3rd wick so it can run on 3 1/2.

johnreid · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 7:37 pm Post subject:

I have seen replica caps for 1.5o pounds, I tried 9mm casings but the fumes still escaped and in fact I think burned hotter, so for now I am using foil.
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Nick · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 7:42 pm Post subject:

I'll have to check those replicas out. I'm having problems with the fumes getting out of the bottom of the foil and like your experience it burns hotter.

So I pulled the wick out and plugged the tube with foil.

johnreid · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 7:44 pm Post subject:

I see them listed here
http://www.toytrainspares.co.uk/Bowman.htm
The foil has to be wrapped just right, I think if fumes escape, the metal heats and gassifies the vapors.
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bessytractor · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 8:04 pm Post subject:

the bowman loco is close to Gauge 1 size, so say 1:32 ish
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johnreid · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:59 pm Post subject:

I have a modern Lionel O gauge car ( Van ) and it looks real nicely in proportion to the Bowman Locos, I agree that the 040 wheel arrangement would make it more like a G or 16mm Loco, but in general appearance the Loco works good as an O scale. Remember that gauge has to do with the track not necessarily the body of the Loco.

THe Car might not be to period and yes it is American prototype, I know, and a repaint is on prder, Chessie Yellow just doesnt look right with the Bowmans, I think a Pullman Green maybe.

Still working on making a better coupler arrangement, only one end of one car needs a different coupler to work. I am not model Railroading, I am playing with trains.
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Keith S · Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2009 1:04 am Post subject:

Nevertheless, John, why don't you use the trucks and frame from that hooper and make a car that looks less... weird... with that little engine?
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johnreid · Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2009 1:06 am Post subject:

A coal load and some spray paint and that car will look fine. The bright Chessie yellow is too much.
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Keith S · Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2009 1:08 am Post subject:

OK, you're the boss. As long as you're having fun.
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Les · Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2009 7:22 am Post subject:

Very nice Nick but you ought to repeat these tests with the loco's under load to make it more authentic.

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MooseMan · Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2009 8:20 am Post subject:

The 234 (and the 265) is overscale - a gauge 1 body on an O gauge chassis.
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made-in-england · Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2009 11:10 am Post subject: