Traction engine

[tom_tom_go]

In a moment of madness I have bought a pretty tired and non-running Mamod traction engine:



I have had the idea of placeing it on my line with additions as an abandon engine which will rust naturally outside.

Or it could go horribly wrong

[pauly]

In a moment of madness I have bought a pretty tired and non-running Mamod traction engine:



I have had the idea of placeing it on my line with additions as an abandon engine which will rust naturally outside.

Or it could go horribly wrong

Can I get some pics of the whistle, from here it looks like its got a rare white button whistle instead of the standard lever

[MDLR]

Can I get some pics of the whistle, from here it looks like its got a rare white button whistle instead of the standard lever

Isn't that the safety valve?

[pauly]

Can I get some pics of the whistle, from here it looks like its got a rare white button whistle instead of the standard lever

Isn't that the safety valve?

Nope, mamod safety valves are little things that go in the thread along the boiler barrel, that's a whistle at a glance its a standard whistle missing its lever but Im sure its a rare button type whistle Mmod used very briefly

This is a mamod safety valve

[METHSSNIFFER]

They produced a batch of these after compaints of burnt fingers on the previous brass type whistle though this helped the hot steam released still had its problems. Then a handle with pull ring eliminated this problem and is seen on models since.

[Chris Cairns]

Another Mamod that is being left outside to rust!?! They do not get mistreated with me

I agree that is a push button whistle which I'd put back on eBay to get some money back.

And that is not a genuine Mamod safety valve Pauly, but one of the after market replica short ones.

Chris Cairns.

[pauly]

Mamods are to big to put near the track, they just look wrong.

Id only put it out as scenery if it was in a spot away from the li e, any figures or anything else that would give away its oversized nature.
You could take it apart for use as loads.

Besides not much of it will rust, most of its brass or other non rust materials, I think only the firebox would ever rust

[METHSSNIFFER]

I would strip it down prime it with red oxide stick it in a model shed/ workshop with shed doors open and have a hoist and tackle suspended over it with a dibnah figure and video it being rebuilt and enter forum competition. Have it chocked on blocks with wheels off. You could stick coal in the firebox and steam it. It looks as though it needs a safety valve though and check that soldered joint where it mounts. It will gush steam out but you could solder a pipe to the exhaust

[tom_tom_go]

Finally got it today and yes it is a whistle with a button so if anyone wants it make me an off in PM please.

[METHSSNIFFER]

Does it work

[pauly]

Finally got it today and yes it is a whistle with a button so if anyone wants it make me an off in PM please.

hey mate put it on eBay and Ill post the auction on the Mamod collectors forum

[tom_tom_go]

Seems to be in working order as the button/spring are free and little plunger at the bottom moves up and down.

Not sure if it is a true test but I use a foot pump on it and it makes a whistle noise (very high pitched!)

pauly, if you would not mind mentioning on the forum as I think I will try and sell it without using eBay first:

[METHSSNIFFER]

Blow down it

[jim@NAL]

I had one of these as a kid never did work still think its at my dads somewhere will look very good being left to rust on your line

[tom_tom_go]

Here is it's resting place for now.

I think as it is sunken into the ground it does not look out of scale:




The whistle is on eBay now if anyone is interested:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141068733586? ... 1586.l2649

[jim@NAL]

very good looks jest right .i like it. i like the tin too whats that made off ????

[The Denying Dutchman]

Looking good. I would add a dummy cylinder and piston rod, preferably made from iron for added rust. Moss and whatever else nature will throw at it will complete the picture of a forgotten traction engine.

[tom_tom_go]

very good looks jest right .i like it. i like the tin too whats that made off ????

Bake bean cans that have been allowed to rust outside

[WVLR]

I had one of these as a kid never did work

Same here, mine just wouldn't run then a friend of my Dad's who was an engineer at Golbourne colliery had a look at it and found a problem with the steam inlet pipe, which he fixed, after that it ran fine 'till I finally destroyed it as a teenager. There's still bits kicking about.

[Crackingjob]

Personally I would have it in a shed on a base so it could be brought in for safe keeping etc....and when running put it outside running some sort of lay shaft etc....they are very easy to get up running...less than some fancy laser cut wagon...and a great side show when you have an open day

Looks to be an early TE1A 1967 ish.

I have a roller for just that..and for less than a tenner have put a early modified TE1 back into steam (details to follow)