Post
by dougrail » Sun Apr 13, 2014 12:29 am
1)Do Mamods do internal-fired boilers?
A: 99.9% - no. As pauly and Dan explained, almost all 'mamod' type locos are external potboilers as the boiler volume is simply, too small.
There is one Mamod type loco with an internal gas fire a la Accucraft - however due to its flue etc taking up volume, it runs for about 5 mins before going out.
2)How long does a Mamod last before a repaint or a rebuild?
A) Depends how you look after it. Regarding paintwork, if you're careful with your engine and its fuel and fire, it should last a decent good while. It is best to use a paint and primer which will take the warmth, such as CarPlan. Or 2-pack car paint if you have access to such facilities. Paintwork and lining is one reason I favour gas - [needless to say, no doubt I shall be assailed by the resident Twdee and Twdu after this post] - meths, although just as good a fuel in terms of firing as gas, it is more destructive towards paint. So if you continually splash meths on your paintwork, it will gradually take it out.
On safety terms, gas has its own hazards but it doesn't harm paint. Both however should be treated with respect.
Mechanically, depends on your maintenance and checks again as pauly adds. I would add to this: how high do you have your fire. Overheat can affect a Mamod loco - you can boil it dry, or damage the sight glass or even attack the soft soldering of the brass boiler. If you employ a gas burner on a standard boiler loco, you must be very careful.
3)Who Else makes Mamod-like locos and rolling stock?
A)Roy Wood Models - makes the 'Janet' which is a finer-engineered and superior design to the old SL Mamods. Also, Mamod Ltd, based in Smethwick now do New Mamod Locos which are silver soldered boilers and gas fired.
Hope this helps
