Striping down the Mamod

The front end of the Mamod has been dismantled to allow the fitment of the displacement lubricator and a new exhaust steam pipe which will exit steam via the chimney. The work to complete this will not happen until over the Christmas period as the parts are part of my present from the Mother in Law. Part of the pack includes new buffer beams and couplings. I am not sure if the buffer beams will fit but the couplings will still go on even if I have to use the original beams.

The Mamod with the front and rear buffer beams removed plus the gas tank.

The front footplate has been removed by drilling out the rivets, nuts and bolts will be used to refit it. The reversing block and the cylinders have also been removed.

The cylinder mounting area showing the green gasket with the steam ways to the cylinders

An underside view. The copper pipe is the steam feed from the regulator. It will need to be shortened to fit the lubricator. 

Quick update

Just a quick update.

I have not done any modelling as my workshop is freezing cold and not suitable for use without heating. To that end I have purchased all the parts for a very cheep little room heater as explained in the following video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brHqBcZqNzE.
I will document how well it works.

I have just received a parcel from Dream Steam containing a new displacement lubricator, steam oil and a new set of multi height couplings and buffer beams for the Mamod. Unfortunately they are a Christmas gift from the Mother-in-Law so I have 3 weeks to wait before contemplating fitting the to the loco. If the room heater works then the job of stripping down the loco and replacing the pop rivets with nuts and bolts should continue next week.

First steaming of Mamod

On Thursday I tried out the Mamod for the first time and it worked fine. Lots of steam, due to the cold weather, and it ran for 25 minutes so I am very happy.

The loco sitting on blocks ready for its test run

The gas tank is filled and fitted

The boiler is filled and the loco is oiled all round

After a few minutes warm up, away she goes

Running like a goodun

Now it is time to start a few modifications. I aim to add a displacement lubricator plus a longer steam outlet which will feed into the false chimney. Other jobs will be fitting a driver (I got two of them with the loco) plus adding name and number plates. Plenty of work for the winter months

Steam comes to Merrytwit

My latest locomotive was delivered today, a Mamod 1351 in unused condition with a couple of driver figures thrown in. I havnt yet been able to run it (no gas) but hope to do so very soon.

My new loco that will eventually be number 3 and named 'Jane'

Another one bites the dust

I have now finished the Fendyke open wagon and have started on the next kit, a van. I had already made a start on it years ago so hopefully it will get finished soon. I have also found a couple of Slaters kits that I partly completed but which need couplings and painting.

Open wagon complete and ready for service

Van kit with semi completed sides

These need finishing, plus I need to buy another bolster wagon.

Fendyke Wagon Progress

My two Fendyke wagons are coming along nicely. A recent delivery of parts from Brandbright has seen couplings added to the open wagon. A small amount of painting and a load for the open wagon still nedds to be done olus lettering and numbering, then they will be ready for service and I can get on with the van kit.

The covered wagon with its hinge detail painted.

The open wagon with its nice new coupling

Its raining, lets make trains

More progress has been made on the open truck with the addition of hinge and lock detail. The same thing has been done on the covered wagon.

The wagons with detail added. Now just need to paint them.

Another of the Mr Jigstones kits has also been completed

The ice cream stall complete with umbrella and ice cream cones

I hope to get the station base ready for track sometime next weekend. My plans have been thwarted just recently by the weather and a distinct lack of cash!