The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum

bessytractor · Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 8:20 pm Post subject: the story of bessytractor

hi all, i'm Matt, aka Bessytractor.

I have been interested in steam since the age of 6 months would you believe. Apparently (according to my parents) the story began when I was given an Ertl die cast thomas toy. Needless to say this toy sparked something!

Down my road is the Great Cockcrow Railway (7 1/4" miniature line, basically using full size equipment, so its like driving on BR full size in the 50s) and every sunday for the next 12 or so years, me and dad would go there. I then joined and now am a fully fledged driver (punches air).

My mamod interest started when Dad dug out his old Mamod minor 2. Every sunday night after the GCR this would roar away into the night air on the patio, occasionally blowing off very violently (just like a big engine!). Then one day a very sad occurence struck the poor engine. The steam line unsoldered itself and the engine disappeared into a cloud of steam, with its cylinder slowing down to a very terminal stop. It still needs fixing to this day.

One day a while afterwards we went to the Beaulie boat jumble, and soon after while at Dads work i looked up and saw on a shelf quite randomly a rather old looking TE1A tractor. Dad made up an excuse about it being a friends that i accepted and the engine was soon forgotten. Come my birthday, and a huge box appeared. I opened it and looked inside to see a white piece of metal with a hole in it. I had no idea what this was until i hoisted it out the box. Wow, what a transformation. Since Beaulie dad had repainted and added all the missing bits (like the canopy etc) to make what could so easily have been mistaken for a mint TE1A. My favourite memory of this engine is the first steaming, when we had no carpet on the back room floor and the engine went bombing round this huge area of concrete, with me trying to keep up!

other things followed, a loco kit (that never worked), a Hornby Rocket and a Brooklands Tourer.

I am also very into model engineering. I'm building a 3 1/2" Rob Roy, and i have built a 7 1/4" tram engine. I also own a 5" gauge London Transport Metrovick loco, as well as various driving trucks to suit. This year I'm hoping to find an old tank engine to restore and play with next year.

thats basically my live steam story!

Manxman · Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 8:28 pm Post subject:

Great story and always good to hear how we started with toy steam. You have to win the prize for the youngest (6 months) steam fan. The only bit you forgot to tell us was how old are you now?

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Sandman · Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 8:32 pm Post subject:

Most interesting.

It's great to fill in some of the background of our members.

I think it helps to bring us all that bit closer.

Thanks for sharing mate.

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Ouch! Where's the burn cream

Did someone mention Bowman?

IndianaRog · Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 8:42 pm Post subject:

Great bit of history there BT.

You didn't say how you adopted the handle of Bessytractor...can you share?

Sounds like you and your dad shared a lot of great memories while you were being gently "steamed"...

again, thanks for sharing,
Rog
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Griffin · Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 8:49 pm Post subject:

Great to read Bessytractor. I see yet another person was brought into the world of toy steam with a Mamod TE1a, super engines.
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I have a soft spot for SR1's, and Jensen engines of the cast iron leccy variety

Graham-Jilly · Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 8:54 pm Post subject:

Thanks for shareing you story is a great read. as rog said would love to know the story behind your forum name
G-J
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Mamodman123 · Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 9:00 pm Post subject:

Great story!

Good to hear more about you

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You could get a nice flatbase for that

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James · Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 9:53 pm Post subject:

That's a great story that is!

Aye, I'd love to know the reson behind the forum name too

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Wallace · Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 4:59 am Post subject:

Great story Bessytractor

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tmuir · Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 5:10 am Post subject:

It seems if you get exposed to steam at an early age thats it your hooked for the rest of your life.
My two sons stand no chance then.

Nice to get some background bessytractor but I do think its about time you fixed that MM2

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A nice example of an Australian made Scorpion Donkey Engine

bessytractor · Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:11 pm Post subject:

I'm 18 years old for those who asked

the reason for my forum name is that my TE1A is nicknamed Bessy (I have no idea why!) and is a tractor lol.

hence: Bessytractor

SillyBilly · Guest

Hey! The Great Cockrow is an AWSOME railway. They've even got most of it track curcited!!!

bessytractor · Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:19 pm Post subject:

IndianaRog · Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:40 pm Post subject:

Very cool BT...that engine looks like loads of fun to ride behind...thanks for sharing.

cheers,
Rog
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Stitch · Posted: Sat Jun 23, 2007 6:04 am Post subject:

Great pic and an interest reading. Nice to meet you, Matt