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Post by spug103 on Dec 14, 2008 23:39:42 GMT
Hi all im just pondering anothor outlet of my steam longings, looking at the mamod railway sets (0 gauge) i think they are referred to as 16mm narrow gauge, and sm 32, what other make is compatible for track guage (i may make up adapters if needed), rolling stock and locos, regards Ben
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Post by spamcanman on Dec 14, 2008 23:53:58 GMT
Hi Ben, Gauge 1 track is 45mm between the rails on this you can run G1, G scale and 1/32nd (Aster) and 16mm scale locos.
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Post by mutley on Dec 15, 2008 11:25:21 GMT
Hi Ben Are you wanting to use a Mamod set or just the track? Mamods run on track that is either 32mm wide, o gauge or 45mm wide G gauge or gauge 1. SM32 refers to the scale. SM32 stands for 16mm on 32mm track or the equivalent of 2' gauge. G gauge is much larger in scale so think in terms of LGB size. Have a look here- www.grsuk.com/index.asp?docs/1.aspAndy
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Post by havoc on Dec 15, 2008 11:29:30 GMT
"G gauge" does not represent any scale. It is a common name for anything that rides on 45mm track, mostly outside in the garden. It includes 1/32, 1/29, 1/24, 1/22.5, 1/13.5 etc. LGB is correctly IIm.
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Post by GWRdriver on Dec 15, 2008 23:52:04 GMT
>It is a common name for anything that rides on 45mm track
While it is true that the "G" gauge misnomer, which does not as Havoc says represent a scale at all, has become the broad catch-all and certainly the US term for anything that operates on Ga1 track, 1/32 and 10mm scales should most definitely not be included in that group. Those two represent standard gauge mainline or branch line railways on 45mm rails. The "Gee" originally came to indicate electric large scale meter gauge trains as made by LGB (1:22.5) for the "garden" and now unfortunately has been applied to everything.
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Post by spug103 on Dec 16, 2008 1:15:58 GMT
thanks guys for the help, ive got hold of a second hand mamod set, looking at the link it seam to be sm32, ive had the peco track recommended to me but im not sure about the flexible stuff ive not used it before any ideas? im going to be giving the loco a good going over when i get it, im getting that new toy rush. regards Ben
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Post by mutley on Dec 16, 2008 12:54:31 GMT
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Post by andrewsleigh on Dec 17, 2008 17:15:25 GMT
Another good site is www.track-shack.com. They are in the isle of man, no tax, £5 postage on as much as you want. I am involved with 16mm garden railways alot, so if you need any advice, just ask.
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Post by spug103 on Dec 17, 2008 20:06:51 GMT
thanks again guys for the help, i've been looking at the various mods you can make to the mamod locos, i think the first thing will be to sort fueling, any ideas? ive got a cheapy meths block type burner, would a wick type be better? gas is an option but would i have to have an uprated boiler for that? i will then go for a slightly higher rated safety valve (25psi) from pps i know a man with some peco sm32 track for sale how much roughly would a box of 12 lengths of good used straight lengths? cheers ben
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Post by andrewsleigh on Dec 17, 2008 21:14:03 GMT
gas is best. You dont need an upgrade boiler for that, i have a gas burner on my mamod and it works fine.
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Post by spug103 on Dec 19, 2008 20:05:43 GMT
Hello again guys just been tying to run the loco today, a bit of a disaster to be honest, a bit of a bugger to light, then hardly any steam for ages then it suddenly shot off at lightning speed and crashed, i need tips / advice on running, and perhaps some sensible modifications, my observations so far are: i need to sort out the fueling, do the tablets really spit? (weve just put down new laminate), i need to slow down the engine speed but raise the pulling power, i know theres all sorts of things you can do to them but im not too sure where to start. cheers Ben
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Post by andrewsleigh on Dec 19, 2008 21:32:10 GMT
Ben The tablets can explode/ spit. A gas burner is probably your best bet, makes alot of heat, you can vary the amount of flame you want. To get a better speed, you need to buy the upgrade regulator from www.dream-steam.com/upgrade_parts.html , and if you want to increase the power, then also buy the upgrade cylinders. a Dead-Leg Displacement Lubricator from dream-steam is also a good idea, not vital, but it makes it run so much better. On mine, i have a upgrade lubricator, and upgrade regulator, and it ran very very well, almsot as well as my accucraft edrig. Andy
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Post by havoc on Dec 21, 2008 11:36:00 GMT
I would not run a steam engine -whatever the fuel- on freshly laid laminate! I have seen silicone tubes piping the gas burst sending flames a meter high, overflowing and burning spirit etc. Just don't risk it. Garden railway remember.
The mamod will always be touchy to run as it has oscillating cylinders. A better regulator may help a bit but they stay prone to runaway speeds certainly if the track is not level. Pulling power...it isn't a big boy. This is a small engine, a couple of cars would be the most a real one of that size had to pull.
If you want to go into modifications I would start replacing the burner. It will make it easier to raise steam and keep steam.
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Post by spug103 on Dec 21, 2008 21:57:46 GMT
hmm good point i suppose my good lady wouldnt approve of flames spurting every where, i Know this is an exceptional case but i was speaking to Alan at dream steam yesterday (they are not too far from me) and he was telling me of his super duper mamod that he tries all the new bits on he has pulled up to 12 carrages!! (ok i know this is not going to be any where near acievable in my case) it does have every concievable upgrade including boiler, and a professional operating it though.
i have ordered a new three wick burner, regulator kit, uprated safety valve and water filler kit, and as suggested i will try and convince my station master to allow me to build a properly level track bed in the garden.
regards ben
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Post by durhambuilder on Dec 24, 2008 17:49:08 GMT
Flicking though some old ME's earlier and in the 6th -19th July 1990 issue (Vol 165 No 3876) is the start of a series on re-engineering the Mamod, my ME's are in a jumbled pile so I'm not sure how long the articles ran.
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Post by spug103 on Dec 27, 2008 19:59:52 GMT
ahh, ideal i shall have to try and find the series!!
regards Ben
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Post by spug103 on Dec 27, 2008 22:40:29 GMT
oh my word ive just looked through the small pile of me's (the only back issues i own) i bought at our club end of season auction, and found nearly the full set, now that is lucky
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