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Author Topic: Last play before we go away.  (Read 1060 times)

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  • Tony Bird
  • Location: Cardiff, South Wales, UK
Last play before we go away.
« on: January 28, 2024, 02:32:09 am »
Hi,

Yesterday we had a last play before we go to warmer climates later today.

https://youtu.be/3Er7qIP0xtE?si=vWiF7aIZ4uVselxJ

Take care Tony.

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  • Jim, tinplate toy trains, motors, steam
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Re: Last play before we go away.
« Reply #1 on: January 28, 2024, 05:37:46 am »
Looks like fun, Tony. Is the rail Zeppelin a Maerklin model converted to run on two rail track? I like the track level views in the video.
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Re: Last play before we go away.
« Reply #2 on: January 28, 2024, 08:57:34 am »
Love the steam plumes, must have been a cool and damp day to let steam stand out like that!

Best of luck with your sojourn to warmer climes for the remainder of the winter. May you and your Lady fine peace and warmth surrounding you.
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Re: Last play before we go away.
« Reply #3 on: January 29, 2024, 01:10:43 am »
Hi Jim,

I do not know, as the model was owned by a visitor. It was gauge 1, radio controlled, battery powered; having Googled your suggestion it looks very similar to the H0 version I found.

Take care Tony

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Re: Last play before we go away.
« Reply #4 on: January 29, 2024, 01:16:30 am »
Hi Daniel,

Yes, is was a cool damp day with little wind, is was I think maybe 3C. Thank you for your good wishes, we will be leaving our airport hotel in a few hours and will probably be high over the Atlantic by the time you read this.

Take care Tony.

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Re: Last play before we go away.
« Reply #5 on: February 03, 2024, 06:56:01 pm »
Hey @Tony Bird - kind of hi-jacking your thread here but I found a pretty cool video where I think you modified a Mamod Cylinder to have "O-Rings"?  I have to say that is pretty cool "upgrade" to their cylinders.

You wouldn't happen to want to sell me one that would fit a late 60s / early 70s Mamod SR1a Steamroller?  My cylinder isn't like the ones they sell today, its slightly smaller.  I have a thread here where I chat about it, Another Gift: Mamod Steamroller SR1a

:)
Richard

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  • Tony Bird
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Re: Last play before we go away.
« Reply #6 on: February 04, 2024, 03:43:57 am »
Hi Richard,

Though I am fairly competent at repairing things my knowledge of Mamod components is limited. Most of my '0' ring conversions have been on Mamod locomotives, to be able an 'O' ring to work well the bore of the cylinder has to accurate to size, too big and the ring falls through, too small they don't work as well and wear quickly. I have repaired Mamod cylinders similar or maybe the same as the one on your roller, a lot of the problem I found was the reversing gear and the steam ports not lining up very well, so the engine works better in one direction than the other: because the cylinder is moved for reversing, the port faces don't necessarily marry well in both positions. Most of the time I have found that it is a combination of elements that effect how well the way an engine runs. Fitting an 'O' ring might help but it too tight the engine probably won't run as well as it does now. I don't make spares, but if you could send me the engine complete I could see what could be done. This would mean un soldering it from the boiler and drilling out the 'pop' rivets that hold the engine to the fire box.

I am away from the UK until the end of the month.

Take care Tony.

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Re: Last play before we go away.
« Reply #7 on: February 04, 2024, 05:05:53 am »
Hi Tony,

I have gotten my roller going very well and in both directions - the little guy was smashed up pretty good.  I was just thinking a "O-ring" piston would really make it run even better.  After your comment about it being to tight perhaps your are right and I could leave it alone.

I will give it some thought about sending it to you, just to see what you think.  Could be interesting just to see what might come of it.

Thanks!
Richard