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Author Topic: What do I have?  (Read 1733 times)

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What do I have?
« on: February 15, 2024, 08:40:30 pm »
I come to you with excitement of new a new addition to my now “collection” of engines as I no longer own just 1. 

Txlabman (Charlie) pretty much gifted this engine to me in person, for the price I paid for it.  I am flabbergasted at how amazing and beautiful this little guy runs. I know it’s collectible because it’s an older model. I’d imagine pre 60’s?  It runs flawlessly. It’s as smooth as butter. And extremely quiet. The whistle is very strong in sound. No leaks. Want to say THANK YOU Txlabman for
Hooking me up!! I now have 2 awesome Jensen engines, and this one surely runs like a treat.

If anyone wants to tell me a little bit about this engine, I’d love to know more!


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The steam engine has done much more for science than science has done for the steam engine.”

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Re: What do I have?
« Reply #1 on: February 15, 2024, 09:31:14 pm »
So much to tell that my hands won't be able to hold up to typing it all.

Essentially what you have there is a rather uncommon Jensen engine labeled as a #75, but different from the current model #75 which is now actually a flame fired #25.

The #75 that you have there was an early entry by Jensen into the flame fired engine field and it originally had a "Banjo" style alcohol burner with a long neck (poker) that inserted under the boiler while the cork plugged large round bodied (reservoir) remained out in front of the firebox. The flame fired #75 was not long in production, and soon morphed into what we now know as the #70, an electric fired engine of the same basic configuration. Many of the early electric #70s still had the vent holes along the sides of the firebox left over from abandoned production of the early #75, which is often referred to as a proto #70/75.

The first of these #75s produced had open vent holes all along the sides of the firebox, but very soon it was realized that the flywheel was throwing exhaust condensate through the center hole and stifling the fire, so that hole was plugged to prevent that issue, as seen on your model.

Perhaps I'll get back to describing this engine a bit more after my hands take a break.

But for now I'll simply say .... nice engine, and what a wonderful gesture from our friend Charlie!!!

"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: What do I have?
« Reply #2 on: February 15, 2024, 09:59:09 pm »
So much to tell that my hands won't be able to hold up to typing it all.

Essentially what you have there is a rather uncommon Jensen engine labeled as a #75, but different from the current model #75 which is now actually a flame fired #25.

The #75 that you have there was an early entry by Jensen into the flame fired engine field and it originally had a "Banjo" style alcohol burner with a long neck (poker) that inserted under the boiler while the cork plugged large round bodied (reservoir) remained out in front of the firebox. The flame fired #75 was not long in production, and soon morphed into what we now know as the #70, an electric fired engine of the same basic configuration. Many of the early electric #70s still had the vent holes along the sides of the firebox left over from abandoned production of the early #75, which is often referred to as a proto #70/75.

The first of these #75s produced had open vent holes all along the sides of the firebox, but very soon it was realized that the flywheel was throwing exhaust condensate through the center hole and stifling the fire, so that hole was plugged to prevent that issue, as seen on your model.

Perhaps I'll get back to describing this engine a bit more after my hands take a break.

But for now I'll simply say .... nice engine, and what a wonderful gesture from our friend Charlie!!!

Left that photo out… it does have the original banjo burner. [ Guests cannot view attachments ]

Thanks for the info!
The steam engine has done much more for science than science has done for the steam engine.”

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Re: What do I have?
« Reply #3 on: February 16, 2024, 05:29:54 am »
This is a great addition to your collection. Congrats!

Good on you, Charlie!

Gil

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Re: What do I have?
« Reply #4 on: February 16, 2024, 08:50:59 am »
That's a nice engine, indeed.
I must admit that I am especially fond of "ship's engine" layouts!

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Re: What do I have?
« Reply #5 on: February 16, 2024, 09:28:34 am »
This is a great addition to your collection. Congrats!

Good on you, Charlie!

Gil

Larry offered this on the Forum and I bought it from him.

I sold it to Travis for what Larry sold it to me.

I wanted him to have a reliable runner for his second engine and I knew that Larry would have addressed any leaks, etc. 

Ironically, I have owned three of these (two with the Banjo Burner), and I have passed them all to others.

Here is a video of one that came from Oz Steam Demon.  I don't recall to whom I sold this one.

https://youtu.be/OOQ0YEBR2Xc?si=h9VfLy7lwXvRPALY

I also gave away another one in the 500 Member Giveaway.  That one went to the UK.

Travis is an enthusiastic young Steam Enthusiast.  It's nice to finally have someone locally to visit with on this hobby.  When he came by yesterday, we also steamed my Jensen 50 that I bought new in 2017.  My other Jensen 50 is a 1977 model that I bought on eBay for an absolute steal.  Here is a video of both of them running:

https://youtu.be/APehbOmRaKg?si=nGHBUgUf15vKOEwZ

Next time he comes to visit, we are going to steam one of the big Marklins.  :)

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Re: What do I have?
« Reply #6 on: February 16, 2024, 10:20:57 am »
This is a great addition to your collection. Congrats!

Good on you, Charlie!

Gil

Larry offered this on the Forum and I bought it from him.

I sold it to Travis for what Larry sold it to me.

I wanted him to have a reliable runner for his second engine and I knew that Larry would have addressed any leaks, etc. 

Ironically, I have owned three of these (two with the Banjo Burner), and I have passed them all to others.

Here is a video of one that came from Oz Steam Demon.  I don't recall to whom I sold this one.

https://youtu.be/OOQ0YEBR2Xc?si=h9VfLy7lwXvRPALY

I also gave away another one in the 500 Member Giveaway.  That one went to the UK.

Travis is an enthusiastic young Steam Enthusiast.  It's nice to finally have someone locally to visit with on this hobby.  When he came by yesterday, we also steamed my Jensen 50 that I bought new in 2017.  My other Jensen 50 is a 1977 model that I bought on eBay for an absolute steal.  Here is a video of both of them running:

https://youtu.be/APehbOmRaKg?si=nGHBUgUf15vKOEwZ

Next time he comes to visit, we are going to steam one of the big Marklins.  :)


Well this one you gave me is a specialty piece. From what I understand there was just a small window when this one was made, with the fire burner variant to when the 75 become what the 25 is now, etc.     It's certainly collectible, and I love it so much there is no price tag I could put on it.  It runs wonderful.   The quality on the older jensens are definitely better, even coming from all jensens being great quality.    It was a hell of a gift.    I also appreciate the Oak plinth you gave me and a few other goodies.     Indeed, it is nice to have a fellow steam collector near by.    You are a genuine person and I really enjoy hanging out surrounded by engines-  I could never get bored in your workroom.    Got some fun projects now, to work on!
The steam engine has done much more for science than science has done for the steam engine.”

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Re: What do I have?
« Reply #7 on: February 16, 2024, 10:24:43 am »
Okay Charlie, you still get Kudos for passing on a good deal of an engine that any true Jensen aficionado would love to have in their own collection!

I certainly understand your great joy at having someone close by to share your wonderful collection and enthusiasm with, as I'm sure many of us would love to do likewise. I have a few friends who pretty much just tolerate my whims, but never seem interested enough to ask for a steam-up nor look for advise on getting into the hobby.

Travis, you are one lucky fellow to have such an amazing collection and willing mentor so close at hand.

Congratulations to you both!!!
"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: What do I have?
« Reply #8 on: February 16, 2024, 10:38:55 am »
Okay Charlie, you still get Kudos for passing on a good deal of an engine that any true Jensen aficionado would love to have in their own collection!

I certainly understand your great joy at having someone close by to share your wonderful collection and enthusiasm with, as I'm sure many of us would love to do likewise. I have a few friends who pretty much just tolerate my whims, but never seem interested enough to ask for a steam-up nor look for advise on getting into the hobby.

Travis, you are one lucky fellow to have such an amazing collection and willing mentor so close at hand.

Congratulations to you both!!!


Believe me, I know.   I'm going through some traumatic things in life the last few months and this hobby landed in my lap only recently, and it's honestly been a god send.  My great grandfather passed away when I was a teenager and always would talk about these engines and take me to steam shows and museums and I always sat in awe and wonder.   I picked up the hobby on a whim and did more research and digging as I always do, and found this forum.  From there, I am learning things and it's been great.   It keeps my mind occupied and keeps my mechanical lust on point.  I absolutely love everything there is about all of it, and having someone close by with the collection charlie has, to be able to see them, touch them, play with them, and hangout with someone who is genuine and enjoys the hobby as much as I do, is a blessing.

On a side note,  I have been a train enthusiast since I was 3 years old.  I am now 33, so that's 30 years.  Already had steam locomotive knowledge, but aside from steam engines, I have alot of railroad knowledge of historical and modern railroad operations along with myself enjoying travel by rail.    I love everything there is to know about steam engines and I love learning more.  This entire hobby eases my mind and creates a sense of peace within myself I never knew I had.


Thanks to all of you on here and charlie for sharing knowledge and being so welcoming to me.
The steam engine has done much more for science than science has done for the steam engine.”

― Lord Kelvin