A Mamod 2-4-2T.

[Chris Cairns]

I saw some makeover items on ebay from Salem Steam Models, and recognised that some if not all were for a Mamod.

The listing included 1 x tank top handrails (these have the proper end fittings (only drilled through halfway) unlike the current ones which are really for the cab hand rails), 1 x roof whistles (2 different ones) & 1 x unknown (this was 2 tank top filler caps which have been shaped to fit in the Mamod/MSS tank overlap, unlike the ones sold by PPS which are Jane/Janet ones which are really for a smooth tank top).



But it was the other items that I was really interested in. Listed as 2 x Pony Trucks (I think), these turned out to be a Rear Coal Bunker kit, which has a nicely made coal bunker with rivet detailing. This is designed to either fit onto the cab back by the handrails or just fit on top of the rear buffer beam, removing the buffers, buffer plate & coupling ring, which can then be fitted on the extended buffer beam on the bottom of the bunker with a suitable centre buffer/coupling mount included. The rear pony truck is designed with a bracket to be supported by the screws & nuts that hold the side tank body panels to the chassis frames just under the cab floor. However fitting this would preclude the use of my IP Eng & Chasteam Meths burners, so I'll look into the possibility of making a bracket to fit outside the frames instead.



And a Front Pony Truck kit which includes the pony truck for fitting using the bottom rear cylinder mounting screws, and extended front buffer beam (again taking the front buffer, buffer plate & coupling off and replacing on extended buffer beam) which uses wire supports mounted to the side of the smoke box using the side tank/boiler securing screws (like a Baldwin).



So I now have the possibility to produce a 2-4-0T, 0-4-2T or a 2-4-2T Mamod.

And the cost of all the above items was an amazing £1 (postage already covered by a mint RW6K kit I bought from the same seller).

I also got 2 mint 'O' ring piston upgrade kits from Mike Chaney from the same seller, and would be happy to sell one of these kits if you are interested.



Chris Cairns.

[SillyBilly]

That's not fair !

Nice one Chris.

[alan2525]

Some unusual items there, looking forward to seeing how they look fitted, I don't think I've seen a 2-4-2 Mamod before.

[Chris Cairns]

So here is my Mamod 0-4-2T loco.



The bunker is designed to go on top of the cab back, so is a little wide for the cab without this cab back, and the mounting holes on this one have been drilled off centre and too far forward so my driver cannot access the footplate. A little reaming and some washers should sort that out.



As I previously said the pony truck will not allow a meths burner to be fitted, and there is no space below the tank of those burners to get the pony truck in without hitting the track bed. Also with the bunker fixed to the rear drag beam you cannot get a solid fuel burner tray in either so not sure what Salem Steam Models expected you to use (was a suitable gas burner available then, as the Merlin one needed mounting to the cab back?).



As you can see the mounting bracket between the chassis frames for the pony truck has been misshaped and is actually pulling the frames together.



Putting the Mamod buffers & buffer plate on the rear of this bunker causes some problems. First you cannot use the plastic centre buffer provided without drilling 2 holes in the Mamod buffer plate, and because this bunker really overhangs on a standard 2' 6" curve you would end up with even more buffer lock ups. So it looks like either multi-height couplings or a centre buffer will need to be used here instead.

I think I will fit this bunker to 'Eairdsidh' after I've adjusted the mounting holes, but I'll not be using the rear pony truck as he will be fitted with a meths burner.

Now will it become a 2-4-0T instead? Must try a practice fit soon.

Chris Cairns.

[SillyBilly]

You could always just make some coupling bars. Looks different I quite like it without the back sheet, and as I rarely run with the back sheet on (no point in the sight glass otherwise) would leave it like that.

[Chris Cairns]

As 'Ginny' and the Mike Chaney SL1K are centre buffers, and 'Sìne', 'Seònaid', and the Cheddar Iver are multi height couplings I've been planning to modify one end of a Mamod flat bed truck with a centre buffer (this one has the option of fitting the open wagon body with a coal load as well) to make a converter truck as most of my rolling stock is Mamod at present.

I've got a few centre buffers so 'Eairdsidh' could be fitted with these. Not sure about putting the 'Baldwin' looking front buffer block on the other end but will at least try it and photograph it as well.

[mhlr]

I expect the bunker was designed for 16millers who use gas burners and centre couplings rather than the usual Mamod train set. I am be interested in the O - ring set, could you send me a PM with how much your looking for?

[alan2525]

I rather like it!, It does look a little long though, and it's a shame the pony truck needs to be mounted so far back. Will look a treat though after a repaint! Whats the leading truck look like?

[Chris Cairns]

Whats the leading truck look like?

That is yet to come. Not sure the Baldwin type wire supports for the extended front buffer block will look right on my Scottish Mamod!

[ACLR]

I like that Chris might have to have a go at makeing one some time

[made-in-england]

Wow! thats really nice! Over the weekend me and Si where talking about if we could get another axel to fit on the front we would both like to have a go at trying to make a mamod style polar bear!

Well done looks cracking!

[Chris Cairns]

to have a go at trying to make a mamod style polar bear

An interesting idea. But you would need to lose the combustion chamber to get the right size side tanks (so how would your meths/solid fuel burners work then?), and the cab bodywork would actually be closer to Sea Lion with the circular spectacle plates. I guess new chassis frames where the driving wheels are mounted further back would allow the front pony truck to be fitted, but you would need longer piston rods.

[made-in-england]

true true but im sure that with adiquate hacking and improvising it couls be done. Your right about the spectacle glasses. And making it Sea lion would also mean that you wouldnt have to change the colour from SL1 green.

[Chris Cairns]

OK so after playing around with the front buffer kit I have some more options.

An extended 0-4-2T.



An extended 2-4-2T.



An extended 2-4-0T.



Or an extended 0-4-0T.



Front pony truck is a much better fit than the rear one.



And the front extended buffer (supporting wires just trial fitted, need to be bent for permanent fixing).



So a few combinations to play around with. I'm not going to use the rear pony truck (due to not being able to use a meths burner), but the bunker will get its mounting holes adjusted so my driver can get into the cab.

Still undecided about the front end. I like the idea of an 2-4-0T but I think that small light weight pony truck could derail on the points, just like my experiences in the full size world. Not a fan of the 'Baldwin' type support wires, although I know we did operate some of these type locos in the Narrow Gauge railway world, particularly during WW1. I think some sort of side skirt should be added to the extended buffer and to cover the cylinders, possibly with built in steps to get to the smoke box, but it would need to be cut so as to allow one to see the front pony truck.

Anyway lots of options for this loco when it goes into the paint shop, with name plates and a few other makeover items to add as well.

Chris Cairns.

[made-in-england]

SEA LION!!!!

Wow that does look the bees knees! If i could get old of an old mamod loco thats the first thing on my list!

[Chris Cairns]

If i could get old of an old mamod loco

There in lies your problem. Although we have a credit crisis with banks being sold off or going bust, house prices collapsing and generally everything costing more, it does not seemed to have affected the healthy prices that these Mamod locos attract on ebay.

You just need to play the waiting game, be logged into ebay 24/7 and wait for that ridiculously priced BIN Mamod!!

[ACLR]

I think I like the 0-4-2 without the extended front.

[Chris Cairns]

I think I like the 0-4-2 without the extended front.

But it would need to be gas fired (not recommended) or a special meths burner made to allow for that bracket between the frames under the cab floor.

I'm going to keep the bunker fitted but still not sure about front end. At least it is all removable so no problems of it being a permanent change only.

[MuzTrem]

But it would need to be gas fired (not recommended) or a special meths burner made to allow for that bracket between the frames under the cab floor.

Forgive my ignorance of Mamods, but why is gas firing not recommended?

I must admit, the 0-4-2T is probably my favourite variant as well. I think the bunker looks unstable without a truck under it, and the front extension also looks a little odd IMHO because the old bufferbeam is still visible behind it...could/would this be removed if the front extension were fitted permanantly?

[Chris Cairns]

Forgive my ignorance of Mamods, but why is gas firing not recommended?

It is only my recommendation for the standard Mamod/MSS soft soldered boiler based on experience gained with my locos. I've heard it said elsewhere online that the pipe which goes up through the middle of the boiler is riveted at the bottom but that is incorrect as it is just soft soldered as shown here in the late Pete Longfils diagram (bottom right).



My 'Troublesome SL1K' came with the Cheddar Models gas burner fitted, and had been fitted previously with the Merlin Gas Burner (2 holes left in cab back). The sight glass plastic had been badly melted around the shape of the rear boiler cut out, and that solder fillet was leaking as well. Took 2 attempts to get it re-soldered properly. I've been told that this solder fillet will only melt if the boiler is boiled dry, but I disagree with that as my MSS Saddle Tank loco, which has never been boiled dry and only solid fuel or meths fired also developed a leak at this solder fillet.

think the bunker looks unstable without a truck under it

But the pony truck does not actually support the bunker in any way. The bunker is held in place by 2 screws & nuts through the rear drag beam.

could/would this be removed if the front extension were fitted permanantly?

No, as the front buffer beam is part of the smoke box casting, so it would need to be cut off and then there is the problem of keeping the front chassis frames attached.

Chris Cairns