New Mamod offerings

[Big Jim]

I saw the new Mamod Diesel and Stirling today at Llanfair and I have to say that I was rather impressed. I like the shape of the original Mamods, but I have been less than impressed with the newer offerings, To my mind they all appear to have been well set about with the ugly stick. I think the Stirling would be a good basic loco that would allow personalising, much in the same way the SL1 was.

Sorry for the poor picture but I was trying to control a 5 year old who was playing silly blighters.

[tom_tom_go]

So the new Mamod diesel, what motor and gearing is it running?

[Big Jim]

Bevel I think, with 6v motor. Speed control on the exhaust.

[tom_tom_go]

Boo, not impressed

Bevel gearing does not produce smooth start/stops...

[Chris Cairns]

Mamod are a member of the Unofficial Mamod Forums.

I understand that it is more than just coincidence that their diesel, Boulton, has similarities to the LC Models Danny, which is no longer sold by Kent Garden Railways. It has a 12V MFA motor & bevel gears.

http://modelsteam.myfreeforum.org/ftopi ... -asc-0.php

As to the Stirling I'd advise caution there. We have not seen a lot of testing going on so far. Mike Wakefield has one of the two review piston valve Thomas Telford locos (Tag Gorton has the other one), and it has effectively worn out after only 2 & 1/2 years. He has had to fit a new wheel set (wear with the eccentric mechanism causing a distinct clicking whilst running) and new piston valve blocks (had also worn out causing steam leaks which reduced running performance). We believe the Stirling uses the same piston valve blocks, and there has also been some discussion regarding their unsupported through frame eccentrics, which are likely going to accelerate wear of those piston valve blocks sideways?

Chris Cairns

[Big Jim]

Thanks for the info Chris. This is perhaps not the best news.
I did wonder about the diesel when I saw it.

[Chris Cairns]

Mamod have just said that the Boulton is based on a Google image of a Newcastle dock engine, but underneath the bodywork there are (at least to me) a lot of similarities with the mechanics of the LC Models Danny.

Chris Cairns