In an effort to get some action in slow forum posting lately, I thought I would ask the above question. My 1st steam engine was a carefully selected Wilesco D22 which I still have, I tried to sell it many years ago but fortunately nobody bought it. we all know IndianRogs well documented Fleischmann 122/3 is currently residing with me , but I'll always consider it his.
Soooo....what was your 1st steam engine ?
I am embarrassed to admit my first engine was a Mamod TE1a
Cheers
Dennis
Nothing to be embarrassed about mine was a Mamod TE1a purchased in 1979 and I still have it with box a good solid starter engine.
Roy
My first steam engine was a Wilesco D20 that my grandparents bought in Germany in the 1970s. I still have it.
My first engine was a scarce Weeden no.18 at a flea market about 30 years ago. I only spent $25 at the time but actually cost me a fortune in the long run as it started this obsession.
Mine was a small oscillating single, German import, maybe a Wilesco?, dry fuel fired engine that I got as a Christmas present in about 1960. I wish I still had it but it went the way of many childhood toys after I had a lot of fun running it.
Wilesco D21. Red with water pump and gauge and good price and power. Great runner.
Technically I had a sunnycraft sterling engine with generator first.
Jason
Wilesco D10 from Sears for Christmas 1967. Still have it.
Good thread Bruce!
Mine was an older spirits fired Mamod SE1a, acquired well over a decade ago, possibly over two, though it somehow feels like it has been much longer than that.
The Mamod was an accidental ebay find, that I was delighted with, as it took me back to my envious childhood days (daze) of the 1950's, when I was able to play with a neighbor and his nice Fleishmann steam engine with some few accessories. I don't recall the model number and am unsure exactly which model it may have been, but my memory and the old catalogs suggest it was a mid-sized double acting engine possibly in the 125 range (125/2?).
The real problem however, occurred while looking on-line for steam engine info, and happened to run across Indiana Rog's Temple of Steam, which totally amazed and initially inspired me. Rog very kindly mentored me some, and in an evil moment suggested that I might like to join a noted international steam Forum, to get a better feel for the subject.
The rest, as they say, is history!
Uncounted dollars, and well over 100 engines (I think?) later, and here I am today .... may the Steam Gods protect and forgive me?!?!
Mamod MM1, around 1955 that disappeared eventually, second was a MM2 my sister-in-law helped me buy on Ebay early 2000's, rest is history.
Bonjour Bruce,
Good question.
As steamboat passionate since I was a young boy, my first steam plant and boat should have been this "Côte d'Emeraude" tug, Diesel in real life but designed for a Syuart D10 plant as model :
https://youtu.be/tSOSj89BY_MQuite too expensive for me at that time, I waited for more than 40 years to have mine.
My first steam plant and boat came for my 50th anniversary, a 1,20 m launch with a 3 è 7,5 cm3 JMC steam plant and already... a whistle
:
https://youtu.be/ElYtqlvtB-4And now I am 66... And a too large fleet for my beloved wife !
My first was a Graham TVR1ABB. It turned out pretty good but then years later suffered a bent crank after a fall to a concrete floor. Sold it on to Bruce and replaced it with another TVR1ABB which turned out to be a better build. Should have kept it even though I wasn't up to fixing it but........!
My first engine was a Mamod SE1 bought new for me in around 1964, sadly no longer around, I still have my second one though which is a 1965 Mamod TE1 gifted to me for Christmas of that year.
Dave
The first I played with was my Dad's and his Dad's Weeden 14 which I over revved and disintegrated the flywheel.
The first steam engine I could call my own was a Christmas gift from my grandparents ca 1960-61 who must have remembered me (7 months earlier on a previous visit) drooling over the Jensen #55 in the glass counter display case at a hobby shop near their home. It was just the right height off the floor to catch the eye and imagination of this young boy. By Christmas I was thinking about other things and having no idea what was in this heavy box. I was filled with joy and mightily chuffed to open a box to find a shiny new Jensen #55.
Fast forward to around 1999-2000... I knew I still had it yet it took me 4 years to find it after I began collecting steam engines over 20 years ago while I was searching boxes for ancient family photographs. Finding it gave a me joy similar to that on the day I opened that box over 60 years ago. It was just as I remembered it... #55 engine on wood base with entire boiler assembly missing.
I acquired another #55 from which I cannibalized the entire boiler assembly. I repainted the black parts and put the beast back together.
Over the years I acquired 3 more #55s that were of the same era but in nicer condition. I sold or traded each of them, always keeping my original #55 for obvious sentimental reasons.
Enjoy!
Gil
Here it is!
as found... and restored as it should be
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