Identity of an after-market Mamod SL1 Meths Burner required

[Chris Cairns]

I recently obtained a couple of after-market meths burners for the Mamod SL1 locos.

Whilst I've identified the 2 wick meths burner as a Merlin Models one (they produced this in 1981 before introducing their butane gas burner), I am unsure of the manufacturer of the other 4 wick meths burner.



I've seen Mamod locos for bids on eBay which had this meths burner fitted. It requires some metal surgery done to the chassis frames and cab floor to make it fit. It hooks onto the rear face of the combustion chamber but how was it held between the chassis frames (did it just rest on the chassis spacer)?

And what was the purpose of the loose small metal strip?

Any help would be appreciated as I'm trying to update my guide to the many after-market Mamod SL burners.

Thank You.

Chris Cairns.

[Spule 4]

Chris, I have seen it before as well, but no idea of maker, sorry.

What I have found on the little bit of information I have found (I need to buy the magazine review from the 1980s I guess) on the Shirley burner was it was "kind of up to the owner" to figure out fitting... It supposedly held in by press- tension, but I would rather not have two tanks full of meths that have flames on the other end ready to drop out of the bottom at any given time!

[Superbiker_uk]

Chris - I believe that burner is a later iteration of the one in the picture below. This is the loco that became "MARGARET". The small strip of metal was I think a push fit - bend to 'U' shape - and push over burner and between frames.



I made a larger U bracket for MARGARET:



It is my belief that the maker of this burner was also the maker of the coal bunker, cab steps and running boards.

[Chris Cairns]

Garrett,

Both this mystery meths burner, and your Shirley meths burner, are featured as photographs in Alan Dunster's final article (Part 5) about Mamods (Garden Rail No.190 June 2010 - http://www.exacteditions.com/read/garde ... /34/3?dps= ).

Unfortunately I've not got a copy but I'm holding out on buying the digital edition to see if, as I suspect, someone in/at Garden Rail is sampling the new Mamod loco "The Thomas Telford" with an appropriate article coming soon.

Peter,

Thanks for that information. The metal surgery required to fit these burners concerns me as you have lost a lot of the chassis stiffness which affects smooth running. The chassis spacer is removed (have you fitted one to the 2 screws under the cab floor that hold the sidetanks to the chassis?), and of course the rear of the chassis frames are chopped off so no connection to the drag beam.

Chris Cairns.

[Gremlin]

I had one of these fitted to a recent purchase but don't like the frame chopping. The ones I make and sell now and then don't require any alterations to fit.

[Spule 4]

Gremlin, I like your design, and would have bought one if I had not found the Shriley one. Well done!

[Spule 4]

Garrett,

Both this mystery meths burner, and your Shirley meths burner, are featured as photographs in Alan Dunster's final article (Part 5) about Mamods (Garden Rail No.190 June 2010 - http://www.exacteditions.com/read/garde ... /34/3?dps= ).

Unfortunately I've not got a copy but I'm holding out on buying the digital edition to see if, as I suspect, someone in/at Garden Rail is sampling the new Mamod loco "The Thomas Telford" with an appropriate article coming soon.

Chris Cairns.

OK, I see it there, that is mine, until I modified it.

Interesting on "TTT", you and I corresponded over on the Mamod forum about that loco, but no show photos or other word from Mamod on that loco.

Does the digital subscription to GR include back issue access? I gathered so from your e-mail from last night, but was not sure.

Thanks!

[Gremlin]

Thanks Spule, I have a couple on the shelf at the moment, but you can see the amount of work that goes into each one. I don't make a lot of them.

[Chris Cairns]

Gremlin,

I've seen your burners before and they are just the job for anyone entering into Mamodification. I have several meths burners now so cannot justify the expense of another one despite their benefits.

One question - I guess that these burners (also produced by Dream Steam, Chasteam & Roy Wood Models) are fitted with rectangular deflector wings on the front of the tank as these are easiest to make. Do your wings actually mate up with the horizontal flap on the rear of the Mamod SL/MSS combustion chamber, or do they leave a small gap (certainly the Chasteam one leaves this gap, my 2 IP Eng burners mate up with the combustion chamber so no gap).

This is important as this gap can lead to the cab fireballs that some people experience with these meths burners. Ideally the front wing should be taller and have a circular cut-out so it mates up with the curve of the boiler thus preventing any flames getting into the cab.

Chris Cairns.

[Superbiker_uk]

Both this mystery meths burner, and your Shirley meths burner, are featured as photographs in Alan Dunster's final article (Part 5) about Mamods

The top two burners are actually my burners as lent to Alan for the purposes of doing the article. The 4 wick meths burner on the left is in MARGARET and the Merlin gas burner on the right is in RONALD.

[Gremlin]

Gremlin,

I've seen your burners before and they are just the job for anyone entering into Mamodification. I have several meths burners now so cannot justify the expense of another one despite their benefits.

One question - I guess that these burners (also produced by Dream Steam, Chasteam & Roy Wood Models) are fitted with rectangular deflector wings on the front of the tank as these are easiest to make. Do your wings actually mate up with the horizontal flap on the rear of the Mamod SL/MSS combustion chamber, or do they leave a small gap (certainly the Chasteam one leaves this gap, my 2 IP Eng burners mate up with the combustion chamber so no gap).

This is important as this gap can lead to the cab fireballs that some people experience with these meths burners. Ideally the front wing should be taller and have a circular cut-out so it mates up with the curve of the boiler thus preventing any flames getting into the cab.

Chris Cairns.

I've had a look as It's been a long time since I made my first one. There is a slight gap but I've never had any reports of a fireball with my burners, though I have seen it before.
If I were to make more I might well add the design amendments you've mentioned. That may not come to pass though as I don't plan to make anymore, there is a lot of work/time in these as they are all hand made.

[Crackingjob]

Unfortunately I am experiencing problems uploading pictures but I have a burner similar to yours in an early SLK1 I have to rebuild.
The water level window has melted. so I suspect some blow back etc
I will have to see how it goes when I rebuild.

[Chris Cairns]

Crackingjob,

I've sent you a PM to help with posting your Mamod photos if you wish.

If I get time and can get some bodywork together I'll try to take some photos to explain the problem of not providing protection from blow backs into the cab from meths burners. That is one cause of melted plastic sight "glass's"

It will probably not work with the meths burner that is the original subject of this thread as I'm not going to cut up any chassis frames.

Chris Cairns.

[Chris Cairns]

With the help of the 16mmngm Yahoo group I've confirmed that this meths burner is either a late model from Kenversions, or at least a copy of their style of burner.

Peter - You are correct. The coal bunker, cab steps, running boards and sandboxes fitted to 'Margaret' were also made by Kenversions.

Chris Cairns.

[Superbiker_uk]

Peter - You are correct. The coal bunker, cab steps, running boards and sandboxes fitted to 'Margaret' were also made by Kenversions.

Many thanks Chris for helping with ID on these parts. I have an almost identical loco to the original "MARGARET" on the way to me with all the same parts fitted. Would Kenversions have produced these or would indivduals have purchased the parts as aftermarket?

[Chris Cairns]

Peter,

Kenversions were an after market product although he may have converted locos on request.

See his story here - www.16mm.org.uk/newsite/publications/SM ... ritage.pdf

And here for the loco that started it all off - http://www.16mm.org.uk/newsite/motm/mom2010-06.html

Going back through some old postings on this Forum there was a rumour started that Kenversions was coming back but I think that was probably just wishful thinking.

Chris Cairns.

[Superbiker_uk]

Hi Chris - the strip of metal is actually for making a 'spring' clip that is attached to tab piece of the rear cab. This is then bent down and acts as a spring retainer to push against the burner as it rests / slots in under the boiler backplate. I have just purchased a loco with the original modification of cut frame and running boards/sand pots/coal bunker etc and this is how it is fitted. I am sure this is original. I will take a picture at the weekend to post an update here.