A MAMOD TRACTION ENGINE REBUILD - PART #1

[@gravedigr12]

this build means a lot to me. a very good friend of mine passed away from cancer on the 14th and that exact model of tractor is what he gave me to remember him.

[@GaryGrumble]

I had one of these thirty years ago. It did not run well. It could hardly pull it's own weight. But ... There was a young boy next door that loved trains. Steam engine - steam engine. He loved it. When I moved away I gave it to him. It had a very good home.

[@PhatTony-km3fl]

Thanks Keith, just bought one of these as part of my "mid/old age crisis" had the static engine when I was a lad (now 65) Found this video very informative, now subbed.

[@paull2613]

I've just pulled my old Traction Engine from the loft...I got it second hand around 1983...It was bought new for the kids next door, they left it in the garden being fed up with it...I finely plucked up courage to ask to buy it and to my surprise it was given to me...Time, now I've Grandchildren, to carefully recommission the old girl....You're film is invaluable Thank You

[@benfitch8795]

I've just restored a Mamod MM1 I've bought off eBay. Came out very well. Had to make a meths wick burner from a vaseline pot and brass rod. Love the simplicity of a Mamod

[@Tocsin-Bang]

I once picked up a box of Mamod bits at an antiques fair for £20. From it I re-built five Mamods, with some parts left over!

[@gh05tr1d3r1]

I just got my 1st mamod ww1 Traction engine. I am so fastenated with these little beauty's ever since my 1st day at dorset steam fair. It took me nearly a whole bag of fuel tablets and actually got it running around. I was so surprised of how quick they actually move, and how realistic they look against the real McCoy. I'm definitely gonna buy more. Thank you so much for the upload.

[@willemkossen]

I like how everything can be fixed with a hammer. It fixed my insomnia several times.

[@ThePoptardedtj]

"it is a very delic proses" *hits it whit hamer*

[@sheep1ewe]

Fun fact i discovered is that a lot of the smaller Mamod stationary steamplants are compatible with Meccano parts, even the standard models, so it's basically can be used as a live steam engine for Your meccano (or trix, etc) creations! I suppose it's a well known fact in Britain, but i had not seen that before. (i finaly managed to get my hands on one of those dedicated Meccano machines as well recently but they are quite rare in my country). Sometimes one can still find loose parts for the meccano system reasonably sheap where i live, if one are just looking for old parts that are fun to play with and not something in real collectible mint condition it's still possible to get basic parts without being a bilionaire, i use small DC motors as generators for the miniature steamplants, not that beauty as the original generators but it works for creating pedagogic models to show my sisters kids.

[@sheep1ewe]

Awsome! I just got a little box of various small stationary Mamod steamplants from Britain i begun to cleanup and restore them few weaks ago, i relay love those for some reason and they did not cost me a fortune either but i think they shall be relativly easy to patch up again, it mainly seem to be bends and dents and soft soldering and a few brooken pins, it's awsome that one can still order so many replacement parts for the missing pieces even for the old machines.

[@Faithdenelzen]

I have one of these and the steam roller. Both of them will have a run soon Love them both

[@timothyrients1685]

This Mamod Traction Engine looks exactly like the one I bought in Dunoon, Scottland when I was in the US Navy in 1977 or 1978. I haven't run it for many years an would definitely need to do some maintenance on it.

[@simpleserf]

Thanks for showing this. My first experience with live steam was with an old erector set engine. Fast forward through the Wilesco and Mamod toys to today, and now I’m playing with a 1/2 scale Case 40 and full size oilfield engines, steam and gas. These little things are a gateway drug for some of us.

[@JamesCleevely]

Superb! I really need to get my steam roller and trailer out and have a play with them. It is also time to look at a few upgrades and personalisations, I think it deserves it for the smiles it has given me

[@SqueezeboxOfDelights]

You ought to get one and repaint and modify it to match your Burrell. They’d look lovely together!

[@garlandward4372]

I have one of these too, seems like everyone does. Mine was set up to burn esbit when I got it but I made an alcohol burner out of a soda can because it's easier to come by where I live. Thanks for another great video

[@lamaha564]

Good stuff, I’m off to dig out my old one from the loft 👍

[@keithappleton]

Have fun }:-)))

[@ListerDavid]

I remember my dad had one of these in his shed, only had it steaming once when I bugged him so much.

[@mikeschillinger4427]

I still have both my models. The steam roller has had many hours on it and still runs. A lot better than the (as yet barely run in) traction engine. The steam roller finally lost all it's paint due to repeated steaming and is now just polished brass. I do remember as a small child being told to take care of them as they were very expensive (at the time) I wanted the steam car for the collection, but could never afford it. Many happy hours of fun and now equally good childhood memories. Where do the years go?

[@keithappleton]

I also have the Mamod Steam Roller, but the one I bought has never been run ....

[@MIKT725]

I also have the roller and it too has a polished brass boiler, it was handed down to me by my Grandfather along with the traction engine, the steam roller was in pieces and my Father and I rebuilt it, as the paint work on the boiler was badly damaged I removed the remainder and polished the brass, I was then given the Mamod steam fire engine for Christmas one year and have cherished all 3 since. I now regularly fire them up for my own son who I will pass them onto eventually.

[@TheTomar33]

Thanks for doing the video.

[@keithappleton]

My pleasure! }:-)))

[@steamboatmodel]

Does that ever bring back memories. One tip for your viewers, if you are running it on your Grandmothers dining room table, take the lace table cloth off first, and put something down to cover it so the hot back wheels do not scare the table or sink in the wax polish. If you do not take these precautions you may learn how to eat your meals standing up. Keith this is going to be a much watched series, thank you. When I was working the guys said I had a philosophy "If it doesn't work use a bigger Hammer" I'm now going to have to go run one of my steam plants.

[@keithappleton]

}:-)))

[@Colin399]

I remember my model had some kind of steering rod that was fitted to the front axle. Great memories.

[@keithappleton]

You can see the fitting for the rod in the video - but I don't have the steering rod.

[@kevgermany]

Keith, another comment. On the TE1/TE1A. I have my original box with mine. Has a filler plug, brass whistle, not the tin lever type. But has reversing option. No axle supports in the firebox. Has the red reversing lever. The front casting says TE1. The box is marked TE1A Reversing. But the box picture shows the TE1 front casting. Afik and remember the A suffix was added when they added reverse. Guessing they added improvements/changes during the 1A production run.

[@keithappleton]

I think they just used the parts that they had at the time.

[@Kevin-go2dw]

I prefer Wilesco which has a more typical double acting cylinder. My parents bought me a kit traction engine in the 90's (I would have been mid 30 in age). Assembled with the help of my Father. It also has a steering wheel and chains and gear drive to one rear wheel. During lockdown I fired it for the first time in 20 years and took it for a run up and down the footpath. One thing I found though, wind chill has a big effect on steaming outdoors as the boiler is not lagged, ok when there is no wind.

[@simonharper4199]

I read steve malins book some years ago . He was the last of the malins family to own malins-models before they sold up in the late70's/early 80's. He cleared the pronounciation debate up . The family name is pronounced 'maylins' and thus mamod should be pronounced 'maymod' . Its an excellent book by the way, out of print but readily available second hand ,all be it for a premium. 'Mamod -The story of Malins Models by P.S. Malins

[@keithappleton]

Thank you for your illuminating comment. I don't dispute that the correct pronunciation of "Malins" is "Maylins", that works because a single letter L instead of two as a double L together can affect the pronunciation. But not so I think when there is no L - as in Mamod. Here in Yorkshire a common name for Mother is "Mam", the pronunciation is similar in "Mama". Also, I found this on the internet: www.howtopronounce.com/mamod

[@caroleast9636]

I’ve also heard that the family name was pronounced “Maylins”. Whatever learned people might say about pronunciation of certain words, if that’s how they pronounced it, that’s what it is. Despite that, I’ll probably carry on with the common way just so’s I’ll be understood. I was recently left an old one of these engines in bits by an old friend who passed away. It would be nice to get it back together.

[@keithappleton]

I will continue to pronounce it Mamod }:-)))

[@simonharper4199]

So will i keith. 'Mamod' just sounds better

[@paulfisher1160]

Hi Keith, HOW CAN YOU HIT SUCH A THING WITH.... hahaha just jokes. Those of us that have watched enough of your videos know you have the touch and if you break it, you will fix it. Carry on ignoring the insulting comments from shocked, confused and very new. My grandfather, who vaccinated me with steam at a very early age, found a Mamod stationary engine type at the local scrap place. Got it for a tin of scrap brass (cant compare the weight value). He fixed it up and it was a xmas gift. Has a bit more to fix as the steam delivery pipe keeps coming away from the cylinder bracket due to vibration. ill get there. This engine since has attracted two more smaller one of different years and missing different parts so have some work to do there as well. All about the fun i guess. Keep up the good work Regards, Paul

[@dankerthanclanker]

I had a similar problem with the whistle on my Mamod steam wagon. In the end I just used a blow torch on the old whilstle to reflow the solder and remove it that way, once the solder had cooled once more. Then I had a friend of mine fix the bushing properly. The bushings, particularly on the whistle, do seem to be something of a weak point.

[@mikedjames]

Many years ago I bought one of these . As its as old as I am. I still have it, no reverse but miniature taper plug valves to control steam to the whistle and the cylinder.

[@keithappleton]

The original one that I had was like that, I much prefer that design to the later ones.

[@sheep1ewe]

Probably a bad idea, but i think Wilesco sells loose parts wich include a hand cranked steamvalve on a pice of similar pipe with fittings.

[@georgeshelton6281]

I also had un mind about an Old-timer S.R.A. (Science Research Association) story about the swamp buggy race. 🏁 😳 👏 👌 🙄 😬 🏁

[@henrya3530]

Not really my thing - when it comes to "toy" steam I prefer the engines made by Wilesco. However, I can appreciate that Mamod engines are very robust and are designed to withstand the abuse they will get from being repeatedly played with by a young person. In many ways they represent the very epitome of post-war British toy steam engines.

[@schwarzalben88]

Henry A yes I have to say I prefer Wilesco Engines. I’ve recently treated myself to a Wilesco D18 Steam Plant. Reciprocating Cylinder not oscillating so not much mess a sort of site glass etc etc it runs very well

[@mikeschillinger4427]

But for a child, a nice introduction to model steam.

[@henrya3530]

@@schwarzalben88 Wilesco D18 is an excellent choice! Plenty of features - pressure gauge, whistle, generator and lamp. If running it indoors, line the burner tray with aluminium foil and use gel fuel. No smells ;-) Or if you can afford it get a Bix gas burner. You won't regret it.

[@fabrizioviscardi40]

Great Job!

[@engineermerasmus2810]

I would love to see more small steam toys on the channel...

[@donkatthree913]

I csnt wait till I own a mamod! :0

[@jaylittleton1]

Wondering if this is going to be the sort of thing that looks simple, but turns up devious surprises? Good luck on the venture.

[@fabrizioviscardi40]

Interesting job!

[@JamesPetts]

Interesting. I used to have one of these; new in 1987, I believe. It had the water glass design on the boiler and the solid fuel burner, so is a little later than this one, I think. Unfortunately, the boiler failed one day when it ran dry and it was eventually thrown away. I generally tended to prefer the Wilesco engines, which had, I think, stainless steel boilers and seemed a little more refined than the Mamod engines. I still have two of these that I had as a nipper, both stationary engines, although they did produce traction engines, too.

[@jacobwalker6092]

This is fun thanks this is super helpful

[@TheRockmonkey100]

Hot rod mamod. Twin cylinders and a tube boiler at 10 psi. Will it work?

[@sheep1ewe]

Fun fact is that they actualy made twin cylinder macines back in time.

[@caroleast9636]

An experienced model engineer could do all sorts of things to improve these toys. It’s really a question of how far do you want to go? For most of us “oldies” it’s nostalgia and happy memories. I still have the simple little stationary engine that my father got me when I was very young. It’s probably 60+ years old and still original…but it will go.

[@keithappleton]

I never want to go far with Mamod Steam Toys, I just wanted the one that I have to be in better condition than it was . . .

[@jonathanwilliams8396]

Hello Keith, just found your channel as I stumbled across my childhood toy of a TE1A bought for me back in 1974, and in need of some TLC to bring it back to life. Thanks for some great videos, I have learnt a lot already and now have it working. I am struggling with which paint to buy that is suitable for the heat and is the correct colour match. There doesn't seem to be any primer under the green paint, I see the brass body so it looks like the paint was applied direct to the brass? Is painting with a brush better than spraying and can you recommend a good colour match for the green, red and black and the best brand? Thanks for any advice you can provide.

[@keithappleton]

I don't do much with small Steam Toys, Mamod made a video a few years ago showing how they are made.

[@northernutahlivesteam]

👍

[@thevioletvalleyrailway346]

You have done this about mamods. Can you do something about roundhouse steam locos? Please?

[@itisyarb]

😂 hitting it with the hammer killed me

[@steamingaroundbritain]

I believe I have the later design that uses Fuel Tablets one issue I have is that it can build up enough pressure to run the flywheel but it struggles to run when the belt is attached to the back wheel almost like it can't generate enough pressure to move its own weight I don't understand why this is part of me thinks that the fuel tablets don't get hot enough to boil the water quick enough for which the remedy would be to get a methylated spirit burner for it the other issue is the reversing/regulator handle connected to the cylinder it is held in place with a flat head nut and due to the expansion of parts when in use this nut can work loose meaning there is a lot of play in the regulator which can lead to steam leaks but if I tighten it then the regulator can at bestbecome stiff in mid gear or at worse it is physically impossible to put it into mid gear.

[@Igotknobblies]

Any idea where I can get a new drive belt for the groove in the back wheel. My TE1A had a long floppy very thin coil spring with a taper at one end that would screw into the other end. I've found crank shaft seals that employ similar springs but I can't find any long enough. My Mamod I've had since new when around 10 so would be about 1972. Still runs fine. I suppose only been fired up 20 times.....

[@keithappleton]

www.forest-classics.co.uk

[@teamidris]

It’s not worth fannying around trying to free the whistle for what they cost. Saw it off, drill out the remains and insert and pop a new one in. It’s 1/4”. (I went mental and built the Mamod I dreamed of as a kid with a working crane) I put stainless steel tube over the rear axel to stop some of the heat.

[@themanwithnoname8241]

I still own mine in new condition boxed from Christmas 1980 ☺️

[@keithappleton]

is that a good thing ?

[@themanwithnoname8241]

@@keithappleton To me it is. I did use about 3 boxes of fuel tablets then cleaned and polished it before putting it away. Sometimes I get it out and look at it though.

[@JJinspo124]

Do you still have your childhood mamod if not what happened to it

[@keithappleton]

No, that's long gone, I probably dismantled it and didn't put it back together again .....

[@lostcolonyforge5792]

do you know where to get a replacement drivebelt in the US

[@keithappleton]

You can get them from www.forest-classics.co.uk or Amazon, just Google Mamod Drive Belts . . . .

[@lostcolonyforge5792]

@@keithappleton thanks

[@allanrichards6448]

I've still got mine that was bought for me back in 1964. It seems rather sad to throw that boiler because of those whistle and filler bushes. You can drill them out and make replacements on your lathe, then solder them in. As people have said these engines just about go on a dead smooth floor so the Wilesco model is a far better bet to restore. I've made one into quite a realistic model having made a realistic firebox and tender plus a representative perch bracket for the front wheels. I've also used Mamod wheels as I think they are better than the Wilesco wheels.

[@mickd6942]

Yes the radical mamodists lol

[@willi-fg2dh]

obvious question is obvious . . . are you going to paint it to match the big one?

[@keithappleton]

no, I like it as I remember the one I had as a child.

[@matthewpeter]

it is indeed May-mod. The name Malins is pronounced May-lins. Its one of those funny quirks of society that the name Mam-mod stuck.

[@keithappleton]

I don't dispute that the correct pronunciation of "Malins" is "Maylins", that works because a single letter L instead of two as a double L together can affect the pronunciation. But not so I think when there is no L - as in Mamod. Here in Yorkshire a common name for Mother is "Mam", the pronunciation is similar in "Mama". Also, I found this on the internet: www.howtopronounce.com/mamod

[@matthewpeter]

The Mamod history book, written by Steve Malins actually states in its opening paragraph it's always been mispronounced. I quote "almost invariably mispronounced (it should be 'Maymod', not 'Mammod'), the name is simply the 'Ma' from Malins and the 'Mod' from models, and is now, perhaps, the most widely known name throughout the world for steam toys". Not that it matters much, I bet when they were churning out 100,000 engines a year that was the last thing on their mind. By the end of 1995 there had been 468,890 tractors made, and they haven't stopped! Oddly in the same period, only 187,471 rollers, maybe people prefer Traction Engines

[@eliotreader8220]

actually the working boiler pressure of a Mamod portable steam engine is 1.5 bar which is 21 PSI i just thought you would like to know that

[@keithappleton]

The safety valve on this one blows at less than that ......

[@dankerthanclanker]

@@keithappleton Yeah, Mamod valves are set to 14psi or something like that.

[@eliotreader8220]

@@keithappleton i have got a book about Mamod steam engines and the information in it says its 1.5 bar. are you going to restore it to working order like i have just done with my own Mamod traction engine?

[@eliotreader8220]

@@keithappleton are the brass boilers on older Mamod engines safe do they go very thin on the inside after so many years of use?

[@eliotreader8220]

is it possible to rebuild one of these older engines using some new parts for the modern engines like giving it a new firebox and engine bracket and smokebox and chimney and a pair of new wheels but keeping the old boiler with a water sight hole. I noticed that the boiler of your engine had a bit of a gap at the back head of the boiler

[@eliotreader8220]

could someone do up one of these old style Mamod traction engines?

[@keithappleton]

I thought I made a video series doing just that ???? kzbin.info/aero/PLDV_TkPc48RG-a58LX5nIwFq9KkGAuBtA

[@eliotreader8220]

@@keithappleton what happened to the mamod traction engine that you had when you was younger? did you throw it away in the end

[@keithappleton]

Can't remember - like a lot of my toys, it disappeared as I put the things of childhood behind me }:-)))

[@eliotreader8220]

@@keithappleton what year do you think this Mamod traction engine was originally built in it looks like they built it from a old style boiler using a modern type fire box. the engines that Mamod make today are now fired on soild fuel tablets

[@richjen21]

lmfao that was so funny

[@johnstewart9745]

The smell of meths in steam engines, or camping lamps and cookers ,sends me back 60 years, 👍

[@keithappleton]

Yes they do {:-)))

[@stephensmith799]

Father said he travelled on a steam ferry on a Swiss lake that had oscillating cylinders. Anybody confirm?

[@cedarcam]

There were some yes In the PSPS quarterly there is an over seas feature and I remember an article about that type of engine. Possibly still in service today

[@Bobs1Models]

did you know that burning meths an a teacup mark on atable will pull the mark out

[@edward002gaming]

:D

[@terrier_productions]

I have an original 1960s Mamod Steam Tractor. She used to steam well but now just spits hot water at me and will refuse to steam properly... so she now is on static display until I have time to see what’s wrong but it might just be limescale that has built up in the boiler.. The last time I steam her was back in roughly may time when we where doing the NHS claps at 20:00.. in stead of clapping I once sounded her whistle for the NHS! kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5bIo2OfpNuprdE

[@BaronSamedi1959]

The toys kids were allowed to play with in those days! Any manufacturer who makes such a thing now, or a parent even remotely considering giving it to its child would be crucified and put in the deepest dungeon the "do-gooders" can find. Yet, the children that grew up with these toys invented the basis of all our present-day wonderful technology. I wonder what good will come out of the sterile toys children are playing now with.

[@ian-c.01]

In the days when toys were made of metal or wood and painted with lead based paints, they didn't feel like toys but more like models. They really fired the imagination and we could get lost for hours dreaming about the things we could do, it also lead to experimentation and sometimes we would be given one or two of the accessories for them which fed the imagination more ! Those kind of toys are treasured for good reasons !

[@david9783]

Sterile kids will result from sterile toys.