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Author Topic: Jensen #55GL prototype  (Read 3696 times)

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Jensen #55GL prototype
« on: May 03, 2023, 06:39:38 pm »
Im new to steam engines but have had a great start to this hobby/ addiction. My first one is this. Jensen #55GL made in 1996. I believe its the only one of its kind. A unicorn for sure.






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Re: Jensen #55GL prototype
« Reply #1 on: May 03, 2023, 06:49:00 pm »
Unicorn for certain and for sure!!!
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Re: Jensen #55GL prototype
« Reply #2 on: May 03, 2023, 08:22:52 pm »
Well, that’s sure one heck of a way to get started in the hobby!! :D  How did you find this?
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Nick

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Re: Jensen #55GL prototype
« Reply #3 on: May 03, 2023, 08:32:28 pm »
Yes it's a hell of a way to start. A friend showed me his steam engines and I was hooked. Started looking online and found this for sale within driving distance. Didn't realize how significant it is until I got it home. It's never been used. I also have a Wilesco D21 that I've been running alot. Can't control myself.
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Re: Jensen #55GL prototype
« Reply #4 on: May 03, 2023, 08:35:21 pm »
Awesome!! @RedRyder check this out!!
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Nick

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Re: Jensen #55GL prototype
« Reply #5 on: May 03, 2023, 08:38:08 pm »
55G Deluxe Limited...!!!

Wow! That is a great piece offered for only a few years in the 1990s..

I had a 55 G Deluxe identical to yours but without the lighthouse. There were a few of the Deluxe edition made but yours is the only one I have seen with the lighthouse hence the "Limited" designation.

I have an advertising photo that may well have your machine pictured or one like it.

I also have 2 of those lighthouses which are scale replicas of the Cape Hatteras lighthouse.

I will locate and add the advertising photo tomorrow.

Welcome aboard and congrats...!!!

Gil


EDIT:

Here are a couple pictures.
One of the Advertising photo taken in front of the actual lighthouse at Cape Hatteras.
(the girl and/or the engine may have been photoshopped into this picture)

The other picture is of my 55 Deluxe with one of my lighthouses perched on it.
My 55 G Deluxe is now with Jim in Australia.

I do have here the original prototype 55 G Deluxe and 20 G Deluxe. 
They are both on much smaller bases.



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Re: Jensen #55GL prototype
« Reply #6 on: May 03, 2023, 09:04:01 pm »
Looking at my advertising photo...

I am pretty certain yours is the one used in the photo due to the wood grain on both being identical.

Note also the Limited version is on a wider wood base to accommodate the lighthouse and the lighthouse had more detail added to it's base after the promotional photo was taken.

What a great acquisition, Richard...!!!

Gil
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Re: Jensen #55GL prototype
« Reply #7 on: May 03, 2023, 09:14:36 pm »
My calibrated forensic eye suggests that the wood grain is the same in those two photos.

I suppose that is to be expected being that it is numbered as GL-0001
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"Information is not knowledge, Knowledge is not wisdom, Wisdom is not truth, Truth is not beauty, Beauty is not love, Love is not music: Music is THE BEST...   
Wisdom is the domain of the Wis (which is extinct). Beauty is a French phonetic corruption of a short cloth neck ornament currently in resurgence..."
F. Zappa ... by way of Mary, the girl from the bus.

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Re: Jensen #55GL prototype
« Reply #8 on: May 03, 2023, 09:20:08 pm »
Yes I believe you guys are correct. It does match.
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Re: Jensen #55GL prototype
« Reply #9 on: May 03, 2023, 09:29:58 pm »
Did the model come with it?  :D
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Nick

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Re: Jensen #55GL prototype
« Reply #10 on: May 03, 2023, 10:19:20 pm »
Wow , I've never seen a complete example before, extremely rare. Its obvious though the Jensen ad photo has some major photo shopping going on, her right shoulder is missing ,she's not actually holding it, and the background is Super imposed.
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Re: Jensen #55GL prototype
« Reply #11 on: May 04, 2023, 02:32:25 am »
Just... WOW!!!

Congratulations and exceedingly well done Richard!
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Re: Jensen #55GL prototype
« Reply #12 on: May 04, 2023, 07:32:03 am »
That's amazing. What else is amazing is that Gil had one and let it go.
Great find Richard.
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Tommy

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Re: Jensen #55GL prototype
« Reply #13 on: May 04, 2023, 07:38:15 am »
Quote from: Woe is me on May 04, 2023, 07:32:03 am
That's amazing. What else is amazing is that Gil had one and let it go.
Great find Richard.
I did let mine go to a fine home with Jim. 
He also has my former 20G Deluxe.

Mine however was never intended for the lighthouse.
It was just posing for the picture with a lighthouse resting on the corner.
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Re: Jensen #55GL prototype
« Reply #14 on: May 04, 2023, 07:39:40 am »
I have both a 55G and 20G Deluxe here (minus a lighthouse), but what is surprising is they are two of my most worn out and neglected Jensens! I thought being such special pieces they would have been as nice as Richard’s. The 55 looks good in my video but the engine has a lot of slop/play/wear and the 20 I have is filthy

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