Has anyone been in touch with Dream Steam?

[Narrow Minded]

As per title really, I just wondered if anyone has conversed with Dream Steam in any way, shape or form recently and if it's just my Emails they're ignoring?

[DLRdan]

I ordered some bits for Zach's loco just over a week ago. I did it through thier site and got the normal conformation Emails and the bits arrived a couple of days after. Is it any thing I can help with ?

[DolwyddelanLightRail]

I ordered some bits for Zach's loco just over a week ago. I did it through thier site and got the normal conformation Emails and the bits arrived a couple of days after. Is it any thing I can help with ?

You actually got your bits within a few days?

The last time I went through them was to order a pressure gauge. Ordered one about 3 weeks before the Exeter Show last year and didn't hear anything at all, only they were out of stock. I inquired at the Exeter show about it, and said they were awaiting something form or another to arrive, and should be with me within the next week or two. I didn't hear anything for the next month and promptly asked for a refund, which they did after emailing.


I don't advise anyone to use dream steam at all these days, they most definately aren't what they used to be sadly.

[Narrow Minded]

Hmm - conflicting reports there

Thanks for the offer Dan, it's just that I had an issue with the spacers provided with the 45mm steel wheels (they were too narrow and allowed too much "slop") - AFTER having a set exchanged because of loose wheels

They said they'd "look into it" and supply a replacement set.

This has now run on and on to the point where a) they have stopped responding to Emails and b) I totally second James' comments and will NEVER use them again and will strongly advise against using them!

[Lner fan Sam]

At Peterbrough I bought some buffer plates of them and was impressed with their customer service to me (however this appears to not exist on there website).


And when one of my mates bought a mamod Brunel from them he tested it on the junior layout and it turned out that it wouldn't light. He took it back and got a replacment from them. They were only happy to help him.

Perhaps the best way of contacting them is through phoning them?

[Chris Cairns]

We do seem to have different feedback (both for and against) concerning customer service from Dream Steam (I have ordered both in the original Alan Dunster days when e-mail replies were excellent, and under the current Fletcher family ownership). All my orders were fulfilled and the faulty MSS reverser/regulator valve was replaced by Alan Dunster without question.

Sam (Lner fan Sam) stated that the original production line manager had recently returned but I questioned that as the way I understood it was if Alan Dunster did not make them at his workshop (his home at the time) then they were made for Dream Steam externally (like the boilers and the 'new' gas flow cylinders), and I got the impression the Fletcher family did the same.

As has already been posted elsewhere the Dream Steam stand at Peterborough came across rather insular, at least to 2 non-buying customers.

Greg I do appreciate your frustration and subsequent sentiment. However if you have not already (I'm sure you have though) I would ask Doug (dougrail) how he contacted Dream Steam when he managed to get them to repair or replace his faulty cylinders when the end cap popped off (a recurring later Dream Steam problem I believe). Although I suspect that may have led to his different length piston problem subsequently.

As I posted before it is rather interesting that Dream Steam no longer have individual Mamod & MSS upgrade parts available on their website (just the upgrade kits). That effectively leaves Roy Wood Models as our only source at present for individual Mamod & MSS upgrade parts.

Chris Cairns.

[Narrow Minded]

As you know Chris, I've repaired the faulty wheelsets (thanks only to the fact that you supplied me with the CORRECT sized spacers).
However, Dream Steam stated that they would replace them and since as supplied they were goods "not fit for purpose" I reckon they are duty bound under the trades description act or whatever.
Having gone through all the faff that the duff wheelsets caused, I would actually welcome a good replacement set for a, now, separate project!

As for Dougs faulty cylinders, well yes, they might well have repaired them, but they've since been to me for - you guessed it - an endcap refit!
I cleaned and de-greased the cylinder end and cap rim mating parts before applying Loctite 603. The problem is (and I'm sure Doug will bear me out on this..) I have NEVER seen a set of cylinder components so badly fitting, with only the slightest hint of a friction fit.
Needless to say that once tested under pressure, the joint gave way yet again - scratch yet another Dream Steam supplied item as "fit for purpose".

I also noted the absence of individual "upgrade" (:lol:) parts on the Dream Steam website - I can only hope that this is a permanent feature so unsuspecting Mamodologists will be forced to make the correct choice of supplier

I believe that Pauly had an issue with his recent order, and despite his staunch defence of the Dream Steam reputation on this very forum prior to that transaction, he's now publicly stated that he isn't happy.

My current thoughts?
I know that Mamod parts are viewed by many to be at the "low end" of the "quality steam fittings" spectrum, but it shouldn't come down to a lottery as to whether you get a working part or not!

If you are selling goods for profit then there are legal obligations to fulfill.

Common decency should prevail when it comes down to answering Emails and / or fulfilling promises.

[Busted Bricks]

If the fit is poor you should use Loctite 638 instead. 603 will never cure if the fit is too loose.

[Dr. Bond of the DVLR]

Arn't these the updgrade parts?
http://www.dreamsteam.co.uk/mss-mamod-u ... parts.html

[Chris Cairns]

Indeed it is them Zach, but why is that section no longer accessible from their Home Page?

And a couple of items are out of stock, so it says "Please enquire to reserve". Yet they have not disabled the Add To Basket feature for the out of stock items so you can just ignore their message and place an order!

Fortunately I have all the Mamod & MSS upgrade items that I will require (I intend having a clean out soon including a near mint very rare Dream Steam high pressure copper boiler which is no longer required) so I'm not stuck with whom I get my Mamod/MSS running spare parts from for now.

Chris Cairns.

[Lner fan Sam]

Dreamsteam appear to be well known in the 16mm world. I only hope that roy woods models become a better known company than dreamsteam so no other people dont fall into dreamsteams poor customer service.

[pauly]

Indeed I used to be a very happy customer of DreamSteam and wasn't sure what to make of the recent drama surrounding them but I bought a set of parts from the recently and despite all my items being labelled InStock I received all my items in 2 post deliveries over the course of a month.

So a month and several inquiring phone calls for something labelled InStock.
Yep not to happy with that, I'll deffo try the alternatives next time.

[Narrow Minded]

Well Dream Steam have now stopped replying to my Emails - I sent then another (after losing my Email address ~ thanks SKY! ), which has gone totally ignored

Total waste of time.

[TTHLRMatt]

At Peterbrough

And when one of my mates bought a mamod Brunel from them he tested it on the junior layout and it turned out that it wouldn't light. He took it back and got a replacment from them. They were only happy to help him.

Perhaps the best way of contacting them is through phoning them?

I am that poor dear who brought the brunel, I have not even bothered naming it yet. They came over and ran the same brunel to check it was fine but then loads of steam came off it and they said it was just it getting going. They then took my recipt off me and went. I wished I kept it. After 3 steam leaks being fixed, dodgy burner, I have only left to fix it seizing up. If they had not taken the recipt, it may have gone back now.

Alex Cook bought some new mamod wheels for his mamod and they did not fit and then sent his around 4 more sets till they were right, around 2-3 weeks between each and they were very snotty about it too. Another friend had a high pressure boiler from them as well......dropped its guts.

My opinion is not stunted entirely but I am strongly RWM now!!!!!!!
Or mamod direct.

[Chris Cairns]

Very sad to hear that this Mamod/MSS after market trader has "gone to the wall".

Matt I assume that you did not pay for your Brunel using a credit card?

Do post about your woes with the Brunel over on the Mamod sub-Forum. Having been disappointed with my Brunel for long enough I've finally managed to get it to rum properly and that has sparked a re-start on my stalled industrial rake of skip wagons, etc. for a suitable train.

Chris Cairns.

[dougrail]

Aha. I wondered why I had a late summons nagging.

How did I contact DS?

Background: My cylinder popped its cap within a month of being commissioned. I had bought the cylinder in October 2010. You may remember the engine it was destined for was one in long-term rebuild/stasis. The first time it ever steamed was October 2011. I retained the receipt.

When I emailed them, I scanned my receipt,referenced my MF thread as proof that I'd not got a year's worth out of the cylinder, and sent a photo. They agreed to look at it and took the cylinder. It was repaired, and voila, worked for a while.

The cap then popped again and using a magnifying glass noticed that the pistons were not equidistant. One was 2.57mm longer than the other.

The cylinder has since had the piston trimmed, been sent to NarrowMinded, and sent back to me.

The cap was buggered in its aspect and this along with the piston is why my engine now has the rather chunky RWM Janet supercylinders.

But my engine now goes like the claps I say. Going to get them modified as I did the first set to see if I can bring them under control.

In terms of spares and parts though - there's only one place for me.

[Lner fan Sam]

Interestingly my parents and uncle contacted dream steam through phoning them. They both had speedy replies from dreamsteam.

Perhaps phoning them is the only way of getting bits from them.

[Chris Cairns]

If you run an internet based shop then there really is no excuse if you actually will only reply to telephone enquiries. You will only lose more business as this Topic has proven.

Doug, I'm sure I have said it before but you can get some better speed control on cab mounted regulator locomotives by adjusting how far you open the reverser valve at the front. I have 1 loco which I need to do this with but have never needed to drill out the cylinder ports as recommended on the other Forum. A reduction in steam pressure would surely also give easier control once the cylinders have been run-in.

Chris Cairns.,