Just Looking For A Good Site To Talk Steam Toys ?

[Tom Gosciminski]

What is a good site to talk steam toys and steam models models ? Email me at tgoscimins@aol.com

[Harry]

Is there interest for a forum here on Smokstak to cover Model and Toy Steam Engines and Toy Electric Motors?

• Popcorn Steam Engine: C. Cretors & Company (More than a toy, but here it is.)
• Empire Toy Steam Engines: Model 30 Model 31 Model 32 Model 43 Model B43
• Jensen Model Steam Engines: Model 25 Model 15 Workshop
• Weeden Toy Steam Engines: Model 49 Model 648 Model 670 Model 672

[Peter Ruffle]

I'd be interested, have a Wilesco stationary with tools, and a traction engine.
Peter

[Andrew Mackey]

Harry,
It might be covered in the model engine forum, but lets see - I have a few small steam engines myself - a 1901 German machinist's model, in order to gain a job in a machine shop, the former owner was given a set of drawings, and was told "You have the run of the shop for 3 days - complete this and have it in running condition, or do not return.". It was running in 2 days, and he had the job for over 35 years, before he emigrated to the US of A. The man opened a shop here in the states, and it still operates today, although ownership now belongs to his grandson. I have a 1902 Goodnow and Wightman, 1/2 HP@50 PSIG. It was built from a casting kit, sold in Boston Mass. Next is a 1&1/4 HP tandem vertical @150 PSI, built by George Sipp Co., later to become Geoorge Sipp & Sons, Patterson NJ. My engine was used to run 5 sewing machines in a sweat shop, in NY City, NY. Built in 1889, it saw a year of service before the shop went bust. The father of the owner serviced it daily when it was in use, and it was given to him as payment of wages (2 weeks worth), when the shop closed. I also have a 1 HP 'Mill engine', on a box bed frame, circa 1849, it was used to pump water in a tannery in Newark, NJ. This engine has a beautiful curved spoke flywheel! Another engine of interest is a James Watt Co. salesman's demonstrator engine, also around 1889 manufacture date. Lots of brass, fully functional if hooked to a boiler, and it has full reversing gear mounted. It still retains about 80% of its original paint and stenciling as well! HP about 1/2 @ 75 PSI. I also have several Mamod (Brittish) steam powered vehicles, and several home built steam powered boats (one uses a Wilesco double acting engine, the other a Mamod oscillating cylinder engine) I have several other model engines, but I won't hog the forum in this post. Who else has collectable engines?
Andrew

[Alan R]

There used to be a small newsletter for the Toy Engine Club, but it went south due to the amount of work piled on the editor. It covered all types of toy engines and motors. Had quite a good following.
I'd be interested in a forum. Have about 150 engines, motors and the toys they run.
Thanks, Harry,
Alan

[Ronald E. McClellan]

I don't see why we would need another forum. The model foum is not overloaded and will work just fine. Might want to add that it is open to small early electric items/motors. Ron

[Buster]

I also have a sipp engine . I was told that they could be bought as a steam engine also I think they came as a kit . also heard that in the early days when South bend sold a lathe they gave a sipp kit to practice on . But keep in mind I am not a steam Expert . BUster: shrug:

[IronCity2006]

I Think a few ppl on here are one track minded when it comes to the classification of "models" and "toys". It would be interesting to have a forum on toys and things like that seperate from the model forum. Although not much in differ from the two, toys generally have alot of interest too, as do models or lifelife. Maybe a new thread to cover old toy trains? toy farm machines would be neat to talk about!

[Harry]

I can do this either way - have it as a sub-forum of Model Engineering, or have it stand on its own.

Don't forget that "someone" had to engineer those "toys" and we're really talking about the best of them here.

[Alan R]

I see the model forum as a place where machinists get to ask advice and discuss what they are making. Most of this group look at the toys as trinkets. Whereas they measure their models to .001 those of us with toys measure by if it runs.
The expertise of machinists intimidates me Can they come down to my level?
I like the idea of openng up to all types of related toys.
Alan

[Ronald E. McClellan]

Alan; Putting that way , I have to agree with you. It looks like a sub forum or seperate forum would be better. Ron

[David Tsr]

Alan I have to agree with you, I have many toy engines and motors some are very old some are new I also make models and have a well equipped shop but making models is different , finding a toy engine in a flea market or a yard sale that needs a little soldering or a wire connected and seeing it run is great. You usually can't take a model you made down off a shelf and add a little heat and water and watch it run like you can the toys,I guess I am in my second childhood at 81 years old. I am all for the toy forum.

David Tsr

[Tom Gosciminski]

Harry, as you know I am all for the new forum ( I just purchased a very large collection of toy steam engines of all makes and sizes along with spare parts and parts engines ) There are even a few very early cast iron steam engines with boilers. With this collection and what I had already collected there are over 200 engines with lots of duplicates. YES I STILL LIKE TO PLAY WITH TOYS !!

[Gil Garceau]

I collect Jensen Steam Engines and have a lot of them and that certainly fits in the toy category. I also collect machinist built scale models and smaller antique working originals.

I think a toy steam engine forum in Smokstak is a great idea.

Count me in !!!

Gil

[John Davidson]

I am in favor of a forum for steam toys and add toy electric motors to the heading.