Traction engine restoration...
Moderator: Bootsy
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- Nurse, I think I need some assistance
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- Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2008 6:26 pm
- Location: West Midlands
Traction engine restoration...
At my age you get sudden urges, based on 'wants' from years gone by when other life things took priority.
So, after a recent viewing of Traction engines and steam rollers, I had the urge for a bit of Steam in My Life, something to finish the winter off as a project now the 911 is all done.
A few hours on google followed to get the low-down on specifications, desirability and availability and I was set to find a restoration project that needed a good amount of TLC, but was complete as possible and old.
A few more hours on ebay and one was found, complete, shabby and had been lost in the shed for decades. It was one made for a span of 2 years only and pre-dated the more modern engines, sort of the 'E' in the S/E/T of the 911 world. Pleasingly, it was made in Smethwick, but possibly Birmingham, so being a Brummie, it fits well.
It has not been messed about with, and with a good fire would steam up and run after checking the safety valve.
An anxious 24 hour wait ensued and with 30 seconds to go and 7 bids already on the count, and the price jumping, I bounced in a killing bid.
Which won.
It arrived today and is all I wished for.
As something a bit different, I thought I might do a lazy thread on it's restoration, but I'm not sure if many here still have the 'little boy' left in them.
I'll see how it goes.
So, after a recent viewing of Traction engines and steam rollers, I had the urge for a bit of Steam in My Life, something to finish the winter off as a project now the 911 is all done.
A few hours on google followed to get the low-down on specifications, desirability and availability and I was set to find a restoration project that needed a good amount of TLC, but was complete as possible and old.
A few more hours on ebay and one was found, complete, shabby and had been lost in the shed for decades. It was one made for a span of 2 years only and pre-dated the more modern engines, sort of the 'E' in the S/E/T of the 911 world. Pleasingly, it was made in Smethwick, but possibly Birmingham, so being a Brummie, it fits well.
It has not been messed about with, and with a good fire would steam up and run after checking the safety valve.
An anxious 24 hour wait ensued and with 30 seconds to go and 7 bids already on the count, and the price jumping, I bounced in a killing bid.
Which won.
It arrived today and is all I wished for.
As something a bit different, I thought I might do a lazy thread on it's restoration, but I'm not sure if many here still have the 'little boy' left in them.
I'll see how it goes.
73T 911 Coupe, road/hillclimber 3.2L
Lola t 492 / 3.2 hillclimb racer
Boxster 987 Gen II 2.9
Lola t 492 / 3.2 hillclimb racer
Boxster 987 Gen II 2.9
- Nige
- Nurse, I think I need some assistance
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- Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2003 9:11 pm
- Location: Denby, Derbyshire
Re: Traction engine restoration...
My cousin owns 3 or 4 I think. They also have a low loader for transporting to shows along with a large yard and heavy lifting workshop.
What scale have you gone for?
What scale have you gone for?
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- I need to get out more!
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Re: Traction engine restoration...
Oh so true.... O gauge railway for me..911hillclimber wrote:At my age you get sudden urges, based on 'wants' from years gone by when other life things took priority.
Merc B Class diesel
Porsche-less
Porsche-less
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Re: Traction engine restoration...
I think there’s a steam day at the Abbey pumping station next door to the Space Centre, Leicester. They have a large Beam engine that is supposed to be running. + some other steam stuff...Mick Cliff wrote:Oh so true.... O gauge railway for me..911hillclimber wrote:At my age you get sudden urges, based on 'wants' from years gone by when other life things took priority.
Tim Bennett
RHD Targa 2.2T EFI, Triumph ITB's, EDIS and Megasquirt.
"Old enough to know what's right and young enough not to choose it"
#1153
RHD Targa 2.2T EFI, Triumph ITB's, EDIS and Megasquirt.
"Old enough to know what's right and young enough not to choose it"
#1153
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- Nurse, I think I need some assistance
- Posts: 18931
- Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2008 6:26 pm
- Location: West Midlands
Re: Traction engine restoration...
You all have not cracked my code yet.
A few more clues for you to consider.
Production started in 1963, not 1863, and by 1964, the year mine was made, they were full at the factory.
Production peaked in '72 at 200 units per DAY, double the production of the steam rollers that ran along side the traction engine line.
For years I've seen these engines in the strangest and most obvious of places, loads of them at the wonderful Steam Rallies blackening the country side with soot to the joy of man and boy.
A recent article in Octane magazine of the Real Deal made my eyes pop, it was the slowest thing they had ever tested, it was a beauty.
Mine will get a few extras, rubber tyres and a better burner box, maybe a log carrying trailer.
All very addictive.
Got there yet gents?
I very nearly decided to build a garden track, I have the space and the trees and shrubs and this company also made and make steam engines but all too expensive so my head ruled the heart.
This restoration will be another on a strict budget, my plan is for £60 expendeture to first steam.
A few more clues for you to consider.
Production started in 1963, not 1863, and by 1964, the year mine was made, they were full at the factory.
Production peaked in '72 at 200 units per DAY, double the production of the steam rollers that ran along side the traction engine line.
For years I've seen these engines in the strangest and most obvious of places, loads of them at the wonderful Steam Rallies blackening the country side with soot to the joy of man and boy.
A recent article in Octane magazine of the Real Deal made my eyes pop, it was the slowest thing they had ever tested, it was a beauty.
Mine will get a few extras, rubber tyres and a better burner box, maybe a log carrying trailer.
All very addictive.
Got there yet gents?
I very nearly decided to build a garden track, I have the space and the trees and shrubs and this company also made and make steam engines but all too expensive so my head ruled the heart.
This restoration will be another on a strict budget, my plan is for £60 expendeture to first steam.
73T 911 Coupe, road/hillclimber 3.2L
Lola t 492 / 3.2 hillclimb racer
Boxster 987 Gen II 2.9
Lola t 492 / 3.2 hillclimb racer
Boxster 987 Gen II 2.9
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- Nurse, I think I need some assistance
- Posts: 8048
- Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2004 12:28 am
- Location: Scotland
Re: Traction engine restoration...
Mamod/meccano?
Regards
Mike
Regards
Mike
_____________________________
73 RS (Sold)
67 S
Mint T (Sold)
996 Turbo (Sold)
73 2.4E (home after 25 years) and Sold again
73T targa (signal yellow project)
1953 Vauxhall Velox
914/6
1963 356B
https://www.mybespokeroom.com/
73 RS (Sold)
67 S
Mint T (Sold)
996 Turbo (Sold)
73 2.4E (home after 25 years) and Sold again
73T targa (signal yellow project)
1953 Vauxhall Velox
914/6
1963 356B
https://www.mybespokeroom.com/
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- Nurse, I think I need some assistance
- Posts: 18931
- Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2008 6:26 pm
- Location: West Midlands
Re: Traction engine restoration...
Mamod indeed Mike.
A TE1 so pre '65 but not a 'Screw and Bolt' very early example that are rare, expensive and v hard to find.
Some come on ebay, and then suddenly disappear..
A whole world revolves around the make, all v interesting, and a bit of FUN.
I will restore it bog standard, but the customising world on these things is a model engineer's delight.
Not sure a thread on DDK is 'appropriate' but will see. I think some will have a heart for these things.
A TE1 so pre '65 but not a 'Screw and Bolt' very early example that are rare, expensive and v hard to find.
Some come on ebay, and then suddenly disappear..
A whole world revolves around the make, all v interesting, and a bit of FUN.
I will restore it bog standard, but the customising world on these things is a model engineer's delight.
Not sure a thread on DDK is 'appropriate' but will see. I think some will have a heart for these things.
73T 911 Coupe, road/hillclimber 3.2L
Lola t 492 / 3.2 hillclimb racer
Boxster 987 Gen II 2.9
Lola t 492 / 3.2 hillclimb racer
Boxster 987 Gen II 2.9
Re: Traction engine restoration...
I have one of those, best birthday present I ever received (1975 or 76). Still in great shape. John
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- Nurse, I think I need some assistance
- Posts: 18931
- Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2008 6:26 pm
- Location: West Midlands
Re: Traction engine restoration...
Hello John, they have made 500,000 of them since introduction, exported over the globe.
At least there is one on here still with the boy in the heart!
Hope I can get it going....
French bike will be attacked in the summer.
At least there is one on here still with the boy in the heart!
Hope I can get it going....
French bike will be attacked in the summer.
73T 911 Coupe, road/hillclimber 3.2L
Lola t 492 / 3.2 hillclimb racer
Boxster 987 Gen II 2.9
Lola t 492 / 3.2 hillclimb racer
Boxster 987 Gen II 2.9
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- DDK forever
- Posts: 537
- Joined: Sun Feb 29, 2004 10:10 am
Re: Traction engine restoration...
What with? A chainsaw!!911hillclimber wrote:
French bike will be attacked in the summer.
Always wanted a Mamod when I was a kid, but could never afford one.
Good luck with the resto
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- Nurse, I think I need some assistance
- Posts: 18931
- Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2008 6:26 pm
- Location: West Midlands
Re: Traction engine restoration...
The Terrot from France will be approached coolly and calmly.
For the first day only probably...
Going to revisit the magneto and find a real carb, hopefully brand new.
Then kick the death out of it.
For the first day only probably...
Going to revisit the magneto and find a real carb, hopefully brand new.
Then kick the death out of it.
73T 911 Coupe, road/hillclimber 3.2L
Lola t 492 / 3.2 hillclimb racer
Boxster 987 Gen II 2.9
Lola t 492 / 3.2 hillclimb racer
Boxster 987 Gen II 2.9
-
- Nurse, I think I need some assistance
- Posts: 18931
- Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2008 6:26 pm
- Location: West Midlands
Re: Traction engine restoration...
73T 911 Coupe, road/hillclimber 3.2L
Lola t 492 / 3.2 hillclimb racer
Boxster 987 Gen II 2.9
Lola t 492 / 3.2 hillclimb racer
Boxster 987 Gen II 2.9
- Nige
- Nurse, I think I need some assistance
- Posts: 6595
- Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2003 9:11 pm
- Location: Denby, Derbyshire
Re: Traction engine restoration...
haha. My dad has a few of those Mamod engines, still boxed covered in dust somewhere in his work shop.
Though he has a scratch built brass engine on display in the living room, very similar to this below. I'll get a photo next time I'm over, although he'll probably suspect I'm trying to get it valued for when he croaks.
Though he has a scratch built brass engine on display in the living room, very similar to this below. I'll get a photo next time I'm over, although he'll probably suspect I'm trying to get it valued for when he croaks.
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- Nurse, I think I need some assistance
- Posts: 18931
- Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2008 6:26 pm
- Location: West Midlands
Re: Traction engine restoration...
What a beauty!
I wonder how many Mamods there are in sheds and attics?
I wonder how many Mamods there are in sheds and attics?
73T 911 Coupe, road/hillclimber 3.2L
Lola t 492 / 3.2 hillclimb racer
Boxster 987 Gen II 2.9
Lola t 492 / 3.2 hillclimb racer
Boxster 987 Gen II 2.9
Re: Traction engine restoration...
Nige, if I were you I'd be rumaging through that attic to find them. I remember pooring over the catalog of all the accessories Mamod sold, and wanting one of stationary engines.
A couple of years ago, I ran mine for the first time in at least a couple of decades. I'd always followed the instructions so wasn't worried about it having deteriorated and sure enough it worked juts fine. BTW over here instead of meths, they call it "denatured alcohol".
It was a very special birthday present: on the box, my parents wrote that it was from them and both sides of the grandparent tree. I also remember that my birthday fell on a day when my Dad was away on a work trip, so Mum sent me down to see "Uncle Ken"....uncle in that English sense of "very close family friend". Ken was a greta
A couple of years ago, I ran mine for the first time in at least a couple of decades. I'd always followed the instructions so wasn't worried about it having deteriorated and sure enough it worked juts fine. BTW over here instead of meths, they call it "denatured alcohol".
It was a very special birthday present: on the box, my parents wrote that it was from them and both sides of the grandparent tree. I also remember that my birthday fell on a day when my Dad was away on a work trip, so Mum sent me down to see "Uncle Ken"....uncle in that English sense of "very close family friend". Ken was a greta