Garden Railway Forum

Does anybody else get a touch of the hankers?

I've suddenly had urges to buy a Mamod traction engine, don't know why but the force is strong. I'm following a couple on eBay with the resolution I will bid £x and if it does, it does.

Anybody else suffer from buying urges or own a Mamod and got any tips? Do they get too hot for servos? Wondered whether it could be a first chance to play rc from scratch.

If you look on YouTube there are examples so it can be done.

They don't self start though so you would need to overcome that.

I have a couple hidden away. They do have a certain charm.

I don't use them very much but occasionally they are steamed up to amuse the boy.

I don’t have any, would love to own one.

Anne says I have urges all the time….

Anne says I have urges all the time….

Cold shower that man

My brother had one. I do look at them occasionally, but other than as a static model I think I could resist one, unless it was a real bargin.

Ian

I have to admit I'm struggling to find one at the right price...if I don't watch them they go for the sixty mark and when I start to bid they rise to 90+. Not given up but not going to pay too much for something that is quite likely to be a flash in the pan

That happens to me on auction websites. I always miss the bargains.

Ian

Tempted to get a wee stationary engine myself just for my amusement...

This one might need some work:

Brilliant Tom..

Big Jim wrote: ↑Wed Aug 01, 2018 8:43 am

Anne says I have urges all the time….

Cold shower that man

I've got a Mamod road roller and a traction engine with a canopy. Both came from house clearances as I recall ( as did my Mamod SL1). The roadroller looks woebegone and I've never steamed it but the traction engine came in the box with its wooden handled steering rod, little plastic water funnel and all the kit.
I've steamed it a few times but you need a smooth flat surface really. They are fun for sure but I just prefer things that run on rails.

invicta280 wrote: ↑Thu Aug 02, 2018 8:47 pm ... but you need a smooth flat surface really.

Wide elastic bands on each wheel tread improves their running immensely.

My original one was a TE1, so no reversing and with an exhaust steam regulator, and which was a birthday present when I was 7 years old! Meths and a 7-year-old, what could possibly go wrong...?

It was joined by a TE1A, a very early SR1 with no speed control at all - flat out all the time so hopeless, an SE1 and an SE3 (the twin cylinder stationary). I also had the open wagon. All sold years ago to fund 16mm stuff, but I still have my original TE1.

A TE1A was my first foray into live steam 'toys' as well. I must have been around 7 like you Tony when my Dad bought it home from the boot fair. An SL3 set followed around my tenth birthday. Over the next ~10 years an open wagon and an SL1 set followed, as well as a box containing various parts of a second TE1, as well as a steam roller. I still don't think I've ever run the second TE1 or the roller, and I've had them 20 years at this point!

A 51 quid bid paid dividends last Sunday. The pressure valve was leaking but a trip to Forest Classics produced a valve, new drive belt and a washer for me bung hole for the princely sum of £13. Incidentally he should be holding Regner locos at some point. All this and only 3 miles up the road

PS discovered slow mo on my phone so had to play with it ...

Nice one. A wish fulfilled. Now you can re-enact the scene from Titfield Thunderbolt.

It works better than mine

And mine…..Maybe because I don’t have one…..

Wish I did at that price Derek.

I always like a shop where the owner doesn't sell you things you think you need....i asked for a new piston assembly and he advised a few runs with steam oil first. I've got a feeling he was right.

Beautiful 5" gauge live steamer there.....if only....