Mamod Te1a

[Gary K]

After 20 REEVES HIGHWHEELER ran that post JENSEN STEAM ENGINES, I got out my MAMOD TE1A that I purchased over 30-years ago, and took some photos of it. Unfortunately these little engines didn't come with much information, such as, maximum steam pressure . . . does anyone know?

The following information is all I have on the MAMOD TE1A, taken from a small booklet that came with the engine, plus measurements I took:

These super quality machines will travel about a third of a mile in a ten minutes run, or will drive other models stationary. Whistle and level plug is fitted and steam exhausts to chimney. They both have reverse control levers. Wheels and rollers are of diecast alloy, both models being heavily built, and highly finished complete with extension steering rod, spirit lamp and tundish. (Steam Roller SR1a and Steam Tractor TE1a.)

SPECIFICATIONS
Single-acting oscillating cylinder engine with reverse. Bore 5/16". Stroke 3/4".
Flywheel: 2 1/8" diameter, 1/2" face.
Front Wheels: 2 1/2" diameter, 1/2" width.
Rear Wheels: 3 5/8" diameter, 7/8" width.
Width measured from outside of rear wheels: 5".
Distance between axles: 6".
Overall Length from back of bunker to front of smokebox: 9 3/8".
Height to top of canopy: 6 3/4".
Boiler: 1 3/4" diameter. 5 3/4" long from rear head to diecast smokebox. (Smokebox is 1 3/4" long.)
Stack: 2 7/8" long.







Maximum steam pressure must not be too high, say 10 to 15 lbs.? Anyway, their sure a peppy little engine once the safety valve opens, and I've often wondered what a larger version would be like . . . say 12 times bigger and operating at 150 lbs. steam pressure?

Twelve times larger would give the engine a 3 3/4" bore, 9" stroke.
Flywheel: 25 1/2" diameter.
Front Wheels: 30" diameter.
Rear Wheels: 43 1/2" diameter.
Distance between axles: 72".
Height to top of canopy: 81".
Boiler barrel: 21" diameter.

Does anyone have any information on larger oscillating steam engines? I'd have to hunt up the book, but I think very large oscillating steam engines had leakage problems where the admitting & exhausting took place . . . but these were huge engines used to propell ships years ago!

Gary K

[Allen]

IIRC the safeties on those lift at 5-7 psi

[Lippy]

That sure is an adorable little gem. I’m impressed.

Lippy

[Craig A]

Originally Posted by Gary K

After 20 REEVES HIGHWHEELER ran that post JENSEN STEAM ENGINES, I got out my MAMOD TE1A that I purchased over 30-years ago, and took some photos of it. Gary K

Gary........I have one of those too..........
I also have a Wilesco steam tractor with lumber wagon.
The Mamod runs nice but the Wilesco, with the slide valve engine, runs REALLY nice at slower speeds............

[ChadYelland]

Thats identical to mine,, allthough they still make them with little change over the yrs, Thats my first steam exsperiance mine is allso an alcohol burner, considered unsafe now there all solid fuel tablets. I tried to burn wood in it once,, Mom got on my case in a hurry about the air polution lol. lots of miles on mine need to order a new cylider and piston

[Mike McKnight]

Yep, that looks right similar to the little Mamod I got when I was 10 for Christmas-I spent a lot of time chasing after that one on the floor, steering it with the little wooden knob that goes up over the stack. I later got a Wilesco, as someone said, they run better at slower speeds. I also liked the Wilesco better 'cause it had chain steering and real gears, like a REAL traction engine. But, the Mamod was my first, therefore holds a special place in my heart!

As far as large oscillating cylinder engines, yep, there were quite a few made. Filer and Stowell, Milwaukee WI and Dewey Bros, Goldsboro NC built oscillating cylinder logging locomotives. Filer & Stowell also built oscillating cylinder steam carriage (as in sawmill carriages) engines, along with a few others companies I can think of. (Wheland Machine Works, Chattanooga TN and Brownlee Foundry & Machine Works, Shubuta MS also built osc. cylinder sawmill carriage engines.) Last year I found a F & S carriage engine, which is quite a bit bigger than a Soule'.

As far as I know, no oscillating cylinder lokeys survive, but "Uncle" Jesse Livingston of Troy TN has built quite a spiffy little model of a F & S lokey that I think was featured in a series of construction articles in "Live Steam" magazine a few years back. For anyone that hasn't seen Jesse's work, I can tell you every piece that comes out of his basement workshop is quite a jewel to behold!

Mike McKnight

[Allen]

My first traction engine was a Mamod. As I related in another thread, I rode a 10 speed bicycle from campus at State College Pa around (over sounds better, but I followed the road) Nittany Mountain to Centre Hall and back to get it. I also used to run (literally.... those wee beasties are FAST) it up and down the hall in the dorm untill some spoilsport complained to the resident assistant about the "stink".

I've suggested to Jensen a few times that there would probably be a market for a traction engine with the castings like the mamod, but the gears and steering chains like the Wilesco (and American style bunkers!) So far they (perhaps wisely) haven't taken my advise.

These little critters are a big part of why I started my business. Sadly, steam toys aren't considered "cool" anymore, and many parents today would rather buy their kids neon plastic junk that will break in 5 minutes (or electronic crap that will be obsolete by NEXT Christmas) rather than a toy that (with care) will last for many, many years.

Note: For Mr Yelland, and anyone else who might need them, new Mamod cylinder assemblies are about $22 (or they also offer "Super Power" cylinders on evilBay), a cheap fix so long as your crankshaft isn't also worn out (from lack of oil) like mine did. Some people also have chucked worn pistons in the lathe and made a groove for an o-ring.

[laknox]

Originally Posted by Allen

My first traction engine was a Mamod. As I related in another thread, I rode a 10 speed bicycle from campus at State College Pa around (over sounds better, but I followed the road) Nittany Mountain to Centre Hall and back to get it. I also used to run (literally.... those wee beasties are FAST) it up and down the hall in the dorm untill some spoilsport complained to the resident assistant about the "stink".

I've suggested to Jensen a few times that there would probably be a market for a traction engine with the castings like the mamod, but the gears and steering chains like the Wilesco (and American style bunkers!) So far they (perhaps wisely) haven't taken my advise.

These little critters are a big part of why I started my business. Sadly, steam toys aren't considered "cool" anymore, and many parents today would rather buy their kids neon plastic junk that will break in 5 minutes (or electronic crap that will be obsolete by NEXT Christmas) rather than a toy that (with care) will last for many, many years.

Note: For Mr Yelland, and anyone else who might need them, new Mamod cylinder assemblies are about $22 (or they also offer "Super Power" cylinders on evilBay), a cheap fix so long as your crankshaft isn't also worn out (from lack of oil) like mine did. Some people also have chucked worn pistons in the lathe and made a groove for an o-ring.

I have it on good authority, that the new owners of Historic Models (http://www.steammodels.co.uk/) are seriously considering a traction engine. I would imagine that it would be a UK design, but we can't have everything, now, can we? :-) I bet that if they got a flood of emails, they might consider a U.S. version, too.

Lyle

p.s. Why aren't we posting on the Model Engineering forum?