MSS Loco - Is it worth the Dream Steam Upgrade pack for £250

[Radbourne]

Hi guys,
I've been toying with this idea, especially since buying an I.P Engineering Jane of ebay, of giving my old MSS loco a full overhaul with the MSS full upgrade kit. Firstly, I'd want to do the whole overhaul within a short(ish) space of time by buying the kit for £244, that way I don't have to wait for the next parts as I'm going along. The thing is that I'm now having niggling doubts about even keeping the MSS, therefore the problem I'm facing is twofold;

1) Should I even bother with the upgrades, as the Jane is in essence a fully upgraded Mamod/MSS minus the gas burner?

2) Should I flog the MSS and save up for a Caradoc?

Your direction is greatly appreciated............

[ACLR]

this is my upgraded MSS Im very happy with it
http://gardenrails.myfreeforum.org/about1261.html

[mhlr]

Well by the time you have bought upgrades etc, fiddled with it to make it work, you'd be better off buying a used loco such as Caradoc, Millie or whatever. If you have a Jane, like you say, its basically the whole upgrade package in 1 loco.

[ACLR]

didnt have to fiddle it just worked for me it seems to me more people fiddle with their edreges to get the timing right than with mamods

[mhlr]

No, not mine. Ive not done any repairs whatso ever to my Edrig. All I am saying is that it is damn cheaper to buy a second hand locomotive in this country than it is to buy upgrades and uprate something designed as a toy! I know at least 5 people with them, they've never been able to get them to run correcly because perhaps they do not have model engineering skills! Your just lucky enough to be able to do this, or even have a loco that runs correct. I really dont want to stirr this matter up again, but I'm afraid to say that quality control is something MSS really seem to lack.

[Chris]

I agree that MSS lack quality control, however by fitting the upgrade kit you are effectively scrapping the MSS running gear and just keeping the body work.

It might be worth having a look around for a secondhand roundhouse or accucraft, but that isn't necessarily a cheap option either - unless you get lucky.

Personally I love the mamods (not so keen on the MSS), but if you already have a Jane I think I would be tempted to get something else rather than upgrading. Then you will have two very different locos. If your MSS runs well you might want to just keep it as is and not sell it, that way if you change your mind later (or can afford it later) you can always add some upgrade parts.

[pauly]

theres a regner on ebay right now that looks pretty good

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/REGNER-WILMA-LIVE ... 7C294%3A50

[DLRdan]

I think Mamod and MSS locos are good little locos and my MSS has given me 3 Years of enjoyment, I wont say without promblems but nothing I couldn't fix. However they were designed as toys so cannot be expected to be Roundhouse and Accucraft locos. As for the upgrade kit it is really not worth it, the original boiler is fine as are the wheels (usually). The basic upgrade kit they do ( meths burner top up valve ect) is the perfect thing for these locos as it gives that little bit more opperational capacity. If you want a loco that will tow heavy loads and be completely reliable then go for a large loco

[mhlr]

theres a regner on ebay right now that looks pretty good

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/REGNER-WILMA-LIVE ... 7C294%3A50

That's 'OilyRag's' one... He sold his Bertie few months back now... And he's not been on for a long while...

[pauly]

I think Mamod and MSS locos are good little locos and my MSS has given me 3 Years of enjoyment, I wont say without promblems but nothing I couldn't fix. However they were designed as toys so cannot be expected to be Roundhouse and Accucraft locos. As for the upgrade kit it is really not worth it, the original boiler is fine as are the wheels (usually). The basic upgrade kit they do ( meths burner top up valve ect) is the perfect thing for these locos as it gives that little bit more opperational capacity. If you want a loco that will tow heavy loads and be completely reliable then go for a large loco

yes, my friend alan got himself an old SL1 earlier this year and since then hes added a basic upgrade package and repainted it, really stamped it with his own creative mark