The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum

IndianaRog

Hey guys and gals...while I can hold my own discussing stationary steam, I don't have ANY prior knowledge about steam locos, but I would "like" to begin looking at them and finding a nice example to run on an elevated track around my workshop.

The following eBay auction LOOKS reasonable for a Mamod loco, but again, I would like some opinions from you more knowledgeable folks:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI....em=180097727830&rd=1&rd=1

If you were only to buy ONE loco and wanted it to pull 3-4 cars around a perfect flat...what would do the job??? I'm not interested in "vintage"...brand new would be OK...looking for value and functionality and a track guage that is easily found and reasonable to get the pieces. From what I read, meths fired would be preferred, but I'm interested in your thoughts from all angles.

thanks,
Rog
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MTA · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 3:38 pm Post subject:

That particular example has no dome, and it is quite hard to find an original replacement. That one is also a very desirable model, I have no idea of what the exchange rate is at the moment in GBP/USD so I can't comment on price. With running in, a Mamod loco will fairly easily pull 3-4 items of Mamod rolling stock. In the auction, it says one of the cylinders/pistons is ceased, it would be better to buy a brand new pair as they would not match in wear if you just fitted one new one, so it might lurch to one side as one would exert more power than the other

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IndianaRog · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 3:46 pm Post subject:

Current US dollar to UK pound exchange rate is about 2 to 1...so a $250 USD engine would be 125 GBP approx.

Good points on the pistons and steam dome...just the sort of info I need to pick up.

Thanks,
Roger
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Mamodman123 · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 3:47 pm Post subject:

It's an SL2, quite rare Rog!

Potentially a loco like that can pull 11 open wagons. 4 shouldn't be a problem once run in

. Hard to say with them, hopefully get get a gooden!

It says one of the cylinders is ceased, don't rule out fixed that one. The caps come off the front and back of the cylinder so you can free it up. I had the same problem with my SL1, well one of them.

It's just shy of 120 pounds, which is a bit too much Rog!. They usually do around 80-100. You could ge a set for 180-200

. I've seen the loco sets go cheap in the US! so may be worth holding out, or bartering him down

Steam dome is missing the cover, it's fully functional as is.. but you are missing a nice shiney piece of brass

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You could get a nice flatbase for that

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tmuir · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 3:48 pm Post subject:

For what you want a Mamod loco will be fine.
$250 US for a Mamod that needs a new cylinder seems expensive to me.

I bought that same model for 49 pounds because they chimney and burner were missing.
A bought a brand new smokebox and chimney for 13 pounds and sold the old smokebox for $15 OZ burner cost me 24 pounds.
I ran perfectly as it was but as I wanted 45mm guage I spent more money and bought new cylinders and wheels for it.

You should be able to get a good second hand Mamod for around 80 pounds less if you get lucky.
Once you have got the loco I would suggest buying a meths burner and an uprated safety valve, everything else should be fine although all Mamods benifit from stripping down and a little fine tuning to improve on the average build quality but its not hard to do.

Wade your way through this thread to see how I improved my Mamod
http://modelsteam.myfreeforum.org/about1251.html
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IndianaRog · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 3:52 pm Post subject:

More good info...I'm a sponge...need to soak this stuff up. NOT likely to buy a loco soon (damn taxman)...but I like to research the options, then start the search...all part of the fun.

I have an electric O guage Lionel set from my youth that I plan to build an elevated track around the wall of our living room...about 10 inches down from the ceiling, sort of running around the room on a shelf. I have all the bits to do it, even the wife's OK (which took some significant coaxing to obtain). The idea of a steam loco is to run it around my basement shop in much the same way, on a little shelf up and out of harms way. I would run a railing around the perimeter however, no sense having a flaming ball of meth plummet to the benchtop!!

More ideas on locos in general are appreciated...just tossed that SL2 out for discussion.

cheers,
Rog
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tmuir · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 4:00 pm Post subject:

On the point of the steam dome cover missing that not really a problem.
You cant buy a genuine Mamod steam dome cover anymore but you can get a MSS steam dome which is smaller but alll in one piece and wont get lost or break and cost a mere 4 pounds from PPS
http://www.pps-steam-models.co.uk/

If you look in the threas I posted above you can see my SL2 is fitted with a MSS steam dome.
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John Chapman · Guest

Hi Rog,

I have been into garden railways for quite a number of years now so I feel qualified to add my "two pennyworth"

To a certain extent it depends what you are after. Unless you specifically want a Mamod my advice would be to steer clear. The Mamod locos are basically a toy and my experience is that they vary widely in quality. A company called PPS make a loco called "Janet" which is very much like a Mamod but much better quality. It is actually capable of running very well and has been well reviewed over here. You can check it out here http://www.pps-steam-models.co.uk/ Unlike a Mamod this one is capable of doing a bit of work.

Over here in the UK there is the 16mm society who are into running live steam garden trains and I would recommend a visit to their website http://www.16mm.org.uk

Another loco that has received very good reviews is the "Accucraft Ruby" I have seen one of these running and it is very good performer, some info here http://www.quisenberrystation.com/Accucraft/ruby.asp

They have developed a bit of a cult status in the US http://www.nmia.com/~vrbass/steam/ruby/rubythings.htm
I would certainly check them out.

Mamodman123 · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 4:00 pm Post subject:

Mamodman123 · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 4:05 pm Post subject:

tmuir · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 4:07 pm Post subject:

Janet is far superior to any Mamod loco that is for sure but you are unlikely to get one second hand and the basic Janet new is 300 pounds compared to 80 or so pounds for a second hand Mamod.

Its true you may have to 'tweak' the Mamod to get it running well but thats half the fun.
I guess it comes down to do you want to spend big and get a loco of known good quality or spend a lot less and maybe have to play a bit to get it running?
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John Chapman · Guest

Mamodman123 · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 4:13 pm Post subject:

IndianaRog · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 4:26 pm Post subject:

Sorry....didn't mean to ignite the brand/quality passions

Like I said, I'm in "soak it up mode"...on the one hand I DO like quality and out of the box run capability if buying new...so the PPS pieces sort of scratch that need...then again, my limited idea of an application (flat, indoor, basement shelf), might work fine for a Mamod piece if I could get it cheaply enough.

I would probably buy this side of the pond if I could find a good used example with track and a few cars...save a bunch on the shipping and exchange rate vs. coming direct from the UK.

The one good thing about our hobby...whether stationary, mobile, loco or floating...there is something for everyone in every degree of quality, price, tinkerability, power...you name it. We just need to each find the niche that works for us.

peace, Shalom and all that good stuff...we've gotta be careful, Friday the 13th today

cheers,
Rog
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Mamodman123 · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 4:32 pm Post subject: