The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum

Manxman · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 7:15 am Post subject:

20) And before I leave New Zealand I need to come right up to date and a quick visit to Wanganui, New Zealand. This was the home of a Graham Heavey and his company called Steamcraft. This fella and firm are proving difficult to track and he may have moved to Australia and it seems likely that Steamcraft is not in operation any more.

But this is a great model. It's about the same size as a Mamod Steam Wagon and really well put together. I have had to repaint this and the Brewrey signs are from the beers of my teen years.

This marks the 20th toy steam company visited on the Manx World Tour and the last from this part of the world. Another long flight next.

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Manx, the mobile man

Manxman · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 12:17 pm Post subject:

Well less than 24 hours to go and the Manx World Tour is taking a bit of a change in direction. Now at most of these steam events people have engines that they may not know the history of. And so I take you to Never Never Land (Never Never because I may just never know who made any of them). All of these engines I don't know who made them or when.

Please if anyone recognises an engine then let me know. I guess it would make my weekend complete if anyone can help me with any of these.

a) Now this could be by Carette but not 100% sure.

b) And of course my 'Martin' engine.

c) Now what about this TE. It's got a lot of brass.

d) This is different. I think the model most likely to be a home build.

e) Something about this makes me think it had a canopy to start with. A very nice TE and again a bit different.

f) A big ugly Steam Roller.

g) Another more standard size Roller. But who made it.

h) And finally a 'Bassett Lowke' style Roller but again not 100% sure.

So can anyone help me with these mobile and tell me where any of them might come from.

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Manx, the mobile man

Les · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 12:24 pm Post subject:

What is the logo on the chimney of the f) the big ugly roller?
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Les - Nolo Servile Capistrum

www.freewebs.com/lesmarsh

Manxman · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 12:37 pm Post subject:

Manxman · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 8:24 pm Post subject:

21) Well I'm on the move again and now arriving in America. I've only got examples of two American companies making steam mobiles. Jensen have never made a mobile and I guess still don't plan to.

My first visit is to New Bedford and the Weeden Manufacturing Company. The firm started making steam toys as early as 1884 and continued (although stuggling at the end) right up until 1952.

Weeden made 6 mobiles over the years and I've got examples of 4 of them now. This picture is of model number 643, the large Weeden Tractor and was made between 1924 and 1937.

Hope you like it.

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Manx, the mobile man

Manxman · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 8:30 pm Post subject:

22) My 22nd toy steam firm making mobiles is the Edelstaal company and their kit built model Steam Lorry. Edelstall were (maybe still are) based in Tenafly, New Jersey and in 1974 sold plans to go along with their 'unimat' lathe to make steam projects.

I think the success of this model is also down to the use of a Tonka (also American) Lorry as the bodywork.

Loads of fun again and a fine little model.

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Manx, the mobile man

Manxman · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 6:24 am Post subject:

And finally it's time for the Manx World Tour to come to an end. This last picture is a return to the UK and good old Mamod.

Now to be honest I like my mobile in original condition. I'm not into re-painting unless the mobile really needs it. And, I've never been one for 'bling' up until now.

A couple of weeks ago (for no special reason) my partner got me a new (to me) Mamod Steam Wagon. This was an older Green Wagon and an exact copy of one I already own. A present, so I couldn't just stick it back on eBay. Therefore I decided to 'bling it'.

I'll do a full set of pics in the normal forum board when it's finished but for now here's a first pic of my wagon.

This completes the World Tour and brings me home again. I've had a great weekend and managed to visit 22 different makers of mobile steam toys.

I hope you've all enjoyed looking at a few of my mobiles. I've had a great weekend and want to thank everyone for making this so successful.

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Manx, the mobile man