Garden Railway Forum

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With the discussion of Roy taking over the PPS Janet loco, I am surprised no one brought up the past rumor of a slide valve version back in 2010. I can remember the discussion of Mr. Clarke taking over production, and I can remember when the Janets showed up for a short period on eBay.co.uk, but I don't think anything more solid came about.

Anyhow, here was what started the conversation...

http://modelsteam.myfreeforum.org/viewt ... 03&start=0

Discuss....

A slide valve mamod I think would work pretty damn well, and it also means the things won't wear out so quickly either

Bottom line is a lack of interest or commitment.

David Clarke's original topic in Feb 2010 on 16mmngm only had 4 responses.

His update topic on the prototype parts in Dec 2010 had zero responses.

Then his ebay sales of the PPS Janet did not last long either.

But of course look how successful the Mamod valve locos have been - still trying to work through all the positive postings on here!

Chris Cairns.

I would DEFINITELY support and purchase such a development...!

dougrail wrote:I would DEFINITELY support and purchase such a development...!

But that is the point Doug. With so little interest or commitment then the cost of designing & producing small numbers is prohibitive - just how much would you be prepared to pay for a slide valve conversion?

Just look at the prices being charged on the new Mamod website - £30 for a gas can adaptor, and £115 for a gas burner for the Steam Roller/Traction Engine including a scuttle - Ouch!!!

Chris Cairns.

This is very true, CC. Main question is, thesedays a pair of super-cylinders [oscillating] are £36-40. How much more would a slide set be and would there be a notable improvement in performance ie tractive power?

A couple of observations regarding forum feedback on proposed products.

1) Most people who say "I would buy that" never do
2) Until there is a tangible product interest is usually limited
3) Many people have little commercial awareness so tend to give "advice" that does not take production cost/issues into consideration

As a manufacturer you have to rely on your instincts and common sense. If you get your products right people will buy them.

Busted Bricks wrote:As a manufacturer you have to rely on your instincts and common sense. If you get your products right people will buy them

Well said.

You have a lot of experience introducing laser cut kits. Do you think a laser cut disk insert properly sealed and painted would survive inside the rim of the plain steel wheels which IP Eng/Dream Steam/PPS/RWM Steam did/do sell for the Mamod SL & MSS locos? ( My posting Page 3 here - http://gardenrails.myfreeforum.org/ftopic6209-30.php ).

Would certainly offer a cheaper alternative to the metal product that Alan Briggs produced for a very short time.

Chris Cairns.

How thick should it be? It does not have to be wood - I cut HIPS (plasticard) and acrylic as well. Thinnest acrylic is 1mm but HIPS is available thinner.

The 2 sets of steel wheels I have from Dream Steam are a slightly different depth within the disk.

The smaller is 5/64ths / 1.98mm deep.

However would HIPS or Acrylic stand up to the heat as much as wood?

Chris Cairns.

I doubt they get hot enough to cause a problem. You would need a good quality glue though. Plywood if sealed with epoxy would be fine as well. Another option is to cast centres in resin.

Yes, back in my HO finescale days, using a forum to gauge interest in a product is futile at best.

As for prices, look to Roundhouse, their export prices on cylinders are GBP 110 and valve gear is GBP 76-100 depending on type.

Also to keep in mind is Roundhouse have used the same cylinders for much of their range for 30 years, so the set up and tooling costs have hopefully been paid off a long time ago.

Good discussion tho!!

I can see what you folks mean about manufacturer's instincts et al, but if a Mamod slide valve set were to be made, there is a very high chance that I would go for it as my 'Swordbreaker' I aim to be top of the pile - hence already my enquiry about an inline luber with a drain.

As for wheel inserts, I'd have thought metal would be better?

dougrail:75328 wrote: As for wheel inserts, I'd have thought metal would be better?

Anything is possible - at a price.

It's not a product I would be interested in carrying.