The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum

Johnny E · Newbie Joined: 12 Nov 2007 Posts: 46 Location: Birmingham

Hi there all

Whilst I'm not new to the world of steam (I a support crew member for a mainline steam locomotive) I am new to the world of model steam. It's all my girlfriend's fault when she bought me a TE1a for Christmas, which I think is great.

However, I would like to move in to the world of locos, but on a bit of a budget (no Aster things for example). Was thinking along the lines of MSS or second hand Mamod. What's the best thing to buy and what do I have to look for when inspecting a potential purchase?

I realise that many upgrades are available (PPS & IP stuff for example) but want to get a good starting point.

Your help is appeciated

MooseMan · Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 8:28 am Post subject:

I own several old Bowman locos, and although they run very well they can be temperamental.

I've owned a Mamod loco for a few days, so I'm by no means an expert, but I'm very pleased with it, it runs really well despite a few steam leaks at the regulator (a weak point in the design I'm told).
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Sandman · Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 9:16 am Post subject:

Welcome to the forum Johnny E.

Once the loco boys come on line you'll have plenty of answers.

I have a Mamod SL3 loco I bought on ebay for £120.00, but I've not got round to steaming it yet. (I'm lazy)

That was boxed with two carriages. (Pic below)

Hope you enjoy your stay.

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Graham-Jilly · Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 10:00 am Post subject:

to the forum. we have several locos 2 mss and 4 mamod and enjoy them very much you will find lots of posts on here and some videos as well. were in the midle of building a garden railway which we have been showing the progress on here called the ACLR.
hope you enjoy your stay
graham and jilly
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tmuir · Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 11:21 am Post subject:

Second hand Mamod locos are a good start if on a tight budget and can be got very cheaply if you don't mind watching and waiting for a bargain on ebay.
I got my first one for £59.
Mamod and MSS locos can be pretty hit or miss, you may get a runner straight out of the box but more than likely it will require some work.

The good thing is that most of the work required just involves time not money although changing to a meths burner and uprated SV are not a bad idea.
There are lots of other upgrades but they are not necessary to start with and can be got at a later date.
Most locos never actually see much run time so even though its second hand and maybe ten years old or more there is a good chance it will still need running in and this is best done with the loco just on blocks for a few boiler fulls to get it all going.

If you see one your thinking of bidding on and want some advice feel free to PM me.
BTW at the moment the average price seems to be between £75 and £100 for a second hand Mamod in average condition.
Keep an eye on ebay between Christmas and NYE as a lot of people go away so some bargains can be had during that time.
Last year I got two Bowman 234s for £100 during that time.
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Johnny E · Newbie Joined: 12 Nov 2007 Posts: 46 Location: Birmingham

Thanks for the replies so far.

It is strange that these locos appear to need some work, even straight out of the box! Mind you, full size locos need tinkering with constantly, so why should a model one by any different? Part of the fun anyway.

The PPS Janet loco looks great, but I don't know if stretching to £305 is quite within my budget yet.

Whilst searching this forum I found the thread showing the MSS saddle tank which wouldn't run forwards. Bit concerned about ending up with one like that.

tmuir · Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 1:48 pm Post subject:

I can'r speak for the MSS locos but the Mamod loco quality appears a bit random and its the luck of the draw to how well it will run out of the box but like I said in my post above most problems can be fixed by a bit of lapping, filing or just a good run in and as money becomes available upgrades can be bought to improve it more.

This thread here shows me converting my Mamod to 45mm but also shows how to lap the regulator to stop leaks and gives a few other tips.
http://modelsteam.myfreeforum.org/ftopic1251-0-asc-0.php

and this post shows me fitting a Roundhouse lubricator and a Mike Chaney regulator to it to further improve it.

http://modelsteam.myfreeforum.org/about3846.html

Here is a vid showing the breakneck speed that a Mamod loco can do after a bit (ok a lot) of work.
http://modelsteam.myfreeforum.org/about4011.html

Hope that gives you some ideas with what you can do and they can all be down one at a time as money comes available.
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A nice example of an Australian made Scorpion Donkey Engine

Johnny E · Newbie Joined: 12 Nov 2007 Posts: 46 Location: Birmingham

Thanks Tmuir.

Much useful stuff in those threads, which I shall happily look through for advice and tips. Love the lapping tips. Very handy that.

Just got to get a loco now!

tmuir · Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 2:10 pm Post subject:

IndianaRog · Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 2:29 pm Post subject:

Johnny, as I don't have any locos (yet)...I will leave loco advice to our many members who DO know what they are talking about. Just wanted to extend a warm welcome to our forum...coming to you from Indiana, USA.

cheers,
Roger
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CCairns · Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 4:39 pm Post subject:

Hi Johnny,

Welcome to the addictive world of model steam locos.

First thing you need to decide is what gauge you wish to run - either 45mm (Gauge 1) or 32mm/SM32 (Gauge 0). This will limit your choice of available track and locos.

Assuming you are set on 32mm you have several choices: -

1. If you are just starting out why not consider an RS1 Railway set. This will give you a loco, 2 wagons & an oval of track to get you started. However, this would now limit you to Mamod track, although at least 1 forum member has managed to join Peco track to Mamod track. Sets are a bit pricey at present but should range from £150 to £250. I would go for a used set hoping that the loco has seen some running.

2. A second hand loco. If it is a Mamod you are after then the SL1K would be the preferred choice as it is easiest to dismantle and put back together. Otherwise you could de-rivet an SL1 and replace those with 6BA screws and nuts. Being able to take a Mamod loco apart easily will help with the tinkering they require to get some good running, and a boiler backplate that is screwed on is much better than the more common riveted ones (sadly a weak design is the sight glass, which is actually plastic and will fail, just a case of when!). Not too many second hand MSS locos appear on ebay. Similarly not to many IP 'Jane's appear and those that do go for high prices (see http://modelsteam.myfreeforum.org/about4212.html ). This is what the PPS 'Janet' is based on.

3. New loco. See my review on the new Mamod 'William' here - http://modelsteam.myfreeforum.org/about7103.html . The MSS locos are very similar to the old style Mamod locos, and are available in kit form as well, however I would avoid the Saddle Tank as I've failed to get mine running properly 'out of the box' yet and another member 'Chris' failed to get 2 of these running properly and ended up getting another loco instead. Next up the price range is the PPS 'Janet' but you need to go for some of the options to get a better loco. Stuart Models are apparently looking to re-issue the old Cheddar Models 'Iver' but I hate to think how much they will charge (probably at least £600), see http://modelsteam.myfreeforum.org/about4942.html

Take time to go through the postings in this forum as you will gain some useful knowledge from other members. Unfortunately not all loco postings are in this forum so you need to look at some of the other forums as well.

And as Tony has already said, if you have any questions on a particular loco just ask here and someone will give you a useful answer hopefully.

Chris Cairns.

Johnny E · Newbie Joined: 12 Nov 2007 Posts: 46 Location: Birmingham

You are all very helpful people. Makes a nice change from some other forums on the net, let me tell you.

Will probably stick to 32mm guage as this appears to be the main choice in this country. I already have a meths burner for my traction engine so am aware of the benefits they bring, although the wick-type burners for the locos look to be a great idea.

Plenty to have a go at over the dark winter evenings with these locos, and with my Wilesco stationary engine kit on order I'll never be short of something steamy to tinker with.

Cheers all