MSS steam locomotives.

Bandit · Post by **Bandit** » Sat Nov 16, 2013 10:54 am

Hello !

Looking for something else on the web, I saw these MSS steam locomotives.
They are the cheaper locos that I ever found.
Absolute beginner in live steam, I need a full wagon load of advices.
Sorry if this topic has been already done before...
Thanks by advance.

steamie1 · Post by **steamie1** » Sat Nov 16, 2013 11:08 am

I think it has,,,,,,, but to put you out the misery, the MSS loco can be made to run well. The only needed upgrade is Steel wheels from Roy wood say £45 and a higher pressure safety valve £15. If you want to go gas powered then a lubricator and top up valve is essential. Control is hard unless you have the regulator adaption. Then you will want a silver soldered boiler.... MSS are soft soldered so heat management is critical.

I found it best to stay tablet fired with these with an uprated valve and steel wheels. Keep it as intended, or buy a Roy Wood Janet.

The steel wheels are needed for road holding and to reduce drag massively. The uprated valve stopes the tablets getting wet.......

tom_tom_go · Post by **tom_tom_go** » Sat Nov 16, 2013 11:25 am

Bandit if you want something that will just work I would suggest looking at the second market for an Accucraft offering.

Bandit · Post by **Bandit** » Sat Nov 16, 2013 12:48 pm

tom_tom_go:91837 wrote:Bandit if you want something that will just work I would suggest looking at the second market for an Accucraft offering.

Thanks, it's a great idea. I'm working on it ASAP.

Bandit · Post by **Bandit** » Sat Nov 16, 2013 12:53 pm

Thanks for your advices! They are very helpful.

In fact, a MSS loco needs a few parts to be upgraded.

So for the same price (MSS & parts) I can buy a best loco.

But this loco is ready to run without these parts...or not?

DLRdan · Post by **DLRdan** » Sat Nov 16, 2013 1:26 pm

The MSS can be run quite easily without any parts being adding. My first loco was an MSS tank engine in marron and I had many happy hours running it as a standard engine on a loop of track towing a few wagons. I did start adding the upgrades to it but it didnt really need them. I have now gone back to the begining as it were and i own a near standard loco that runs just as well as the two upgraded ones.

Bandit · Post by **Bandit** » Sat Nov 16, 2013 2:15 pm

If you're happy with your locos, why not me?
Who is the manufacturer of the MSS steam locos? I can't find any MSS website.

I'll be very happy to read a MSS complete operating instructions.
Could you help me? Thanks by advance.

DLRdan · Post by **DLRdan** » Sat Nov 16, 2013 3:47 pm

MSS are the manufacturer of the loco and their website can be found here : http://www.steammodelsonline.co.uk/frames.htm though it does not provide much information. I cannnot fid the instructions for my loco but another member has uploaded scans of the original Mamod railway intrsuctions. These locos are mechanically identical so everything will still apply. They can be seen on this page in the reference libary http://gardenrails.myfreeforum.org/about6313.html I have posted below a couple of videos of two reasonably standard locos running on my railway. The green loco is one I had for overhaul, now back with its owner. The blue loco is my own, built from a collection of spare parts and some home made parts. Both have had meths burners fitted as it is easier to find in this country however they run equally well on the tablets supplied.

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steamie1 · Post by **steamie1** » Sat Nov 16, 2013 5:15 pm

I do notice the uprated safety valve. If you do nothing do this. Running in takes time with these so the result you see can be done but only with time. As there is no lubricator a pre oil before the run is always good....

Bandit · Post by **Bandit** » Sat Nov 16, 2013 5:29 pm

Absolutely no info on the MSS website.

The second link leads to the replacement valve instructions.
Thanks for the videos.

.

steamie1 · Post by **steamie1** » Sat Nov 16, 2013 6:01 pm

Have you considered the Mamod Mk2 loco from mamod Ltd.. Mime was fab straight out the box. Silver soldered gas powered and lubricator. I miss it...I would buy another one. Forget the saddle tank it does not breath well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDrxcqPIDZw

DLRdan · Post by **DLRdan** » Sat Nov 16, 2013 6:39 pm

Bandit:91848 wrote: The second link leads to the replacement valve instructions.
Thanks for the videos. .

Strange, I've just checked and it sends me to the correct page. They are in the garden railway reference library under "The Mamod Steam Railway Instructions"

You are welcome, there are more videos on my channel of other locos

Steamie1, it is the uprated valve but has been set to the original working pressure of 14psi. The loco didn't have a safety valve, this was given to the owner by a friend out his spares box.

Chris Cairns · Post by **Chris Cairns** » Sat Nov 16, 2013 10:43 pm

Chris (Bandit) you are obviously having difficulty deciding which locomotive to get, looking at the Mamod Mark II, RWM Janet & MSS.

My reference files are slowly being deleted by myfreeforums. I have not posted the rather basic MSS operating instructions but here is (at least they were still downloadable as I post this discussion) my rewritten MSS Side Tank Kit assembly instructions - http://gardenrails.myfreeforum.org/about5770.html

I posted a very comprehensive illustrated 'diary' on building one of these MSS Side Tank Kit's here - http://gardenrails.myfreeforum.org/about6201.html

Whilst the kits do not appear that often on eBay there are usually several MSS & Mamod SL locomotives plus the old Mamod railway sets. These sets can offer a good introduction into live steam as they normally come with a locomotive, 2 items of rolling stock, an oval of Mamod track, and some accessories. This is how I first started into live steam locomotives, and that RS1 railway set is still in my collection. Of course being 2nd hand, 3rd hand, etc. these eBay items do not come with a guarantee/warranty so you have to be careful what you bid on. Being very heavy you will also find the sellers may not deliver to France.

Chris Cairns.

PS - Did you read the message that Roy Wood posted here regarding the fact your e-mail address was not valid (3rd post down on Page 2) - http://gardenrails.myfreeforum.org/ftop ... asc-15.php

Bandit · Post by **Bandit** » Sun Nov 17, 2013 9:07 am

Thank you all for your answers.

And a special thanks to Chris!

I read all your topics. They are very helpful !
All my computer problems are now solved and I sent a few emails to Roy (RWM). We stay in touch.
You're right: in fact, I absolutely don't know what loco I want to buy, but I'm working hard on it with the help of all of you guys!

Bandit · Post by **Bandit** » Sun Nov 17, 2013 9:09 am

I also found a lot of infos on the HGLW website (links).

steamie1 · Post by **steamie1** » Sun Nov 17, 2013 10:07 am

If you are undecided then I would say do consider a Roundhouse Bertie or Ragleth from Accucraft. With Roundhouse you have more detail for the purchase and often heavier built body wise. With Roundhouse you have spares and back up. A new Accucraft or second hand Roundhouse base loco will have you not wanting for more. I sold my Mk2 only because I own a Roundhouse loco. If I only had a Mamod Mk2 I would want more in time which would cost me more long term.
If I have financial difficulties like more car trouble I will always try to keep one Roundhouse loco for the line. My son who is 10 has a Ragleth which I gave him and it is very solid and works well too.

The longterm view might be worth considering first to save spending on a vast loco fleet with all stories as to why you moved up.

Whatever you decide you will be on a very nice journey of discovery and steam. We all love putting our penny worth of thought in because we are still on it. I'm sure we all muse over which loco, it is half the fun. Do share your photos of what you end up with as it will be fun to see.

One last thing If you went second hand a Roundhouse will give more spares options. If you went new Accucraft may be cheaper..

Bandit · Post by **Bandit** » Sun Nov 17, 2013 1:41 pm

Buying a steam loco needs a lot of money. So I must take all the time needed before ordering anything. I'm working hard on it and maybe one day...you'll see a few photos!

Bandit · Post by **Bandit** » Tue Nov 19, 2013 5:04 pm

I tried but I never found a good MSS retailer.

:twisted:
My search returns absolutely no result.

So the MSS loco will never be on my wish list.
That's all folks ! Thank you all for your help.

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