Mamod Stirling

A very popular starting point for Live Steam. With their low cost comes a number of problems which can be discussed here
kins73
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Mamod Stirling

Post by kins73 » Sun Jan 28, 2018 1:44 pm

Hi All,

according to Mamod, the Stirling loco is on hold. That's what they told me when I asked them through facebook the other day. I was looking forward to some reviews on the Stirling as I really like the look of it.

kind regards

Neil

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Re: Mamod Stirling

Post by dewintondave » Wed Jan 31, 2018 5:54 am

kins73 wrote: Sun Jan 28, 2018 1:44 pm Hi All,

according to Mamod, the Stirling loco is on hold. That's what they told me when I asked them through facebook the other day. I was looking forward to some reviews on the Stirling as I really like the look of it.

kind regards

Neil
Please post an image of it, I'm intrigued
Best wishes,
Dave

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Re: Mamod Stirling

Post by tom_tom_go » Wed Jan 31, 2018 10:42 am


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Re: Mamod Stirling

Post by Chris Cairns » Wed Jan 31, 2018 1:17 pm

kins73 wrote: Sun Jan 28, 2018 1:44 pm I was looking forward to some reviews on the Stirling as I really like the look of it
The problem with the current review policy is there is no longevity or durabilty testing. Mike Wakefield has one of the two review piston valve Thomas Telford's, and just over 2 years later he had to fit replacement wheels, piston valves & valve blocks. As the Stirling is fitted with similar piston valves & valve blocks you'd need to factor that additional cost into a long term purchase?

Mamod's current Achilles Heel is they have to buy in some of the components used on their locomotives, which affects pricing (the Boulton diesel has already seen a price rise after the 1st batch was released). They made a costly mistake of buying a pre-owned CNC machine but could not find anyone who knows how to use it. So I understand the Stirling is on hold until such time as they can produce more of the components in-house, otherwise the price would be too high for the current market.

Chris Cairns

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Re: Mamod Stirling

Post by CSL » Wed Jan 31, 2018 8:36 pm

Chris Cairns - that's interesting, and suggests cash flow problems could be a possibility.

Much as I hate to ask the question, is there any hint that we might lose the Mamod company altogether? (Although I'm not sure that would be the first time...)

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Re: Mamod Stirling

Post by Chris Cairns » Wed Jan 31, 2018 10:22 pm

CSL wrote: Wed Jan 31, 2018 8:36 pm Chris Cairns - that's interesting, and suggests cash flow problems could be a possibility.

Much as I hate to ask the question, is there any hint that we might lose the Mamod company altogether?
It is interesting how the written English language can be interpreted, as that is not how I interpret my last posting (but then I'm Scottish!).

The exact wording I had regarding the CNC machine was "has proved to be a total waste of money as they can't find anyone who knows how to use it."

In my experience long postings are not always read in full (one of my trained skills was that of an auditor) so I had not included the following feedback - "Currently they're in the process of selling it with the intention of purchasing another make that either comes with the training as part of the purchase price or is sufficiently well known that training can be easily bought in"

If you have looked at the Mamod website in detail you will see that they do not just manufacture toy steam models - https://www.mamod.co.uk/mamodfix

So to answer your question - No

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Re: Mamod Stirling

Post by CSL » Sat Feb 03, 2018 10:24 pm

That's good to know. No need to panic-buy my hoped-for but as-yet-not-saved-for Brunel then!

But I hope I can be forgiven for hearing alarm bells on learning simultaneously of the sudden indefinite postponement of a long-term development project that was already delayed but supposedly near commercialisation, plus the inevitable tied-up cash (or credit) resources represented by a major bit of equipment that has been purchased but can't be used and has not yet been sold.

Yes, I'd noticed the Mamodfix part of the website but haven't researched the significance or success of this to the business.

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Re: Mamod Stirling

Post by Boustrophedon » Sat Apr 07, 2018 9:19 pm

I half expected a tumble weed to roll by on the Mamod stand at the Peterborough show today.

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Re: Mamod Stirling

Post by Gralyn » Sun Apr 08, 2018 5:14 pm

Boustrophedon wrote: Sat Apr 07, 2018 9:19 pm I half expected a tumble weed to roll by on the Mamod stand at the Peterborough show today.
I was alive and well on Saturday morning before the show opened. Their display even included a preview of a Tram Engine being developed.
Regards Graham.

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Re: Mamod Stirling

Post by Busted Bricks » Sun Apr 08, 2018 5:45 pm

How anyone can manage to buy a machine they don't know how to operate and can't get training for is beyond me. That would be up high on my checklist. With regards to buying in parts, the right price is out there if you have the patience to shop around. When I sent out a request for a quote on wheels the cheapest was 1/6 the price of the of the most expensive. Cheapest supplier has the latest CNC machines so quality is great. Since I'm likely to start as an apprentice at that business perhaps we should be making parts for Mamod ;) :D

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Re: Mamod Stirling

Post by Graff B. » Wed Apr 18, 2018 6:51 am

Chris Cairns wrote: Wed Jan 31, 2018 1:17 pm
kins73 wrote: Sun Jan 28, 2018 1:44 pm I was looking forward to some reviews on the Stirling as I really like the look of it
The problem with the current review policy is there is no longevity or durabilty testing. Mike Wakefield has one of the two review piston valve Thomas Telford's, and just over 2 years later he had to fit replacement wheels, piston valves & valve blocks. As the Stirling is fitted with similar piston valves & valve blocks you'd need to factor that additional cost into a long term purchase?

Mamod's current Achilles Heel is they have to buy in some of the components used on their locomotives, which affects pricing (the Boulton diesel has already seen a price rise after the 1st batch was released). They made a costly mistake of buying a pre-owned CNC machine but could not find anyone who knows how to use it. So I understand the Stirling is on hold until such time as they can produce more of the components in-house, otherwise the price would be too high for the current market.

Chris Cairns
I believe the original price for the Boulton was an introductory offer.
Alan.

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Re: Mamod Stirling

Post by CSL » Thu Mar 28, 2019 7:39 pm

Well, looks like it's on sale.
https://www.mamod.co.uk/shop-categories/mamod-stirling

Up against the new MSS short-tank loco - well, not really at more than double the price, but it has a vaguely similar look to it.

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Re: Mamod Stirling

Post by Keith S » Tue Apr 02, 2019 9:41 pm

Well, I like it. Lots of opportunity for adding loads of details, and looks like decent-sized cylinders. It still somehow has the look of a "Mamod" engine about it, too.

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Re: Mamod Stirling

Post by Big Jim » Fri Apr 05, 2019 8:28 am

It has a certain charm about it.
It looks a little like the early Lady Anne
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Re: Mamod Stirling

Post by CSL » Tue Apr 09, 2019 9:36 pm

Big Jim wrote: Fri Apr 05, 2019 8:28 am It has a certain charm about it.
I agree. Out of my price range, though. And not actually my first choice (even from the Mamod range) if I do manage to convince myself that that is the best use of several hundred pounds...

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Re: Mamod Stirling

Post by IrishPeter » Wed Apr 10, 2019 4:47 am

The question for me is always - 'Can it climb hills?' I seem to be congenitally incapable of building a railway without 1 in 30 gradients, so I never look at Mamods usually but it seems that technologically they may have come of age.

Cheers,
Peter in Va
Traffic Pattern? What pattern? Spuds out; grain in, but cattle, sheep and passengers are a lot less predictable.

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Re: Mamod Stirling

Post by BorisSpencer » Wed Apr 10, 2019 7:41 am

Had a little look at Peterborough, it is a nice looking loco with a certain presence, but at that price point it is competing with the Roundhouse basic range.

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Re: Mamod Stirling

Post by FWLR » Thu Apr 11, 2019 8:55 am

tom_tom_go wrote: Wed Jan 31, 2018 10:42 am https://m.facebook.com/MamodSteam/posts ... 8695847379

I saw the price as well...
Not being too well up on these things Tom...Is the price too much and what RH loco compares to it....

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Re: Mamod Stirling

Post by tom_tom_go » Thu Apr 11, 2019 6:57 pm

I don't understand why anyone would pay that sort of money for a new Mamod today.

Maybe it's nostalgia for people but being of a younger generation I have no interest in what they offer.

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Re: Mamod Stirling

Post by GWR » Sat May 18, 2019 5:51 pm

At those prices you may as well spend the money on a RH. I agree Tom nostalgia has a big part to play as I grew up with Mamod steam engines and I am a collector of their previous stationery steam engines.

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