Very much my philosophy. Mamods are ok for what they are, but you can make improvements if you are so minded. Avoiding low water level and overheating is always essential cos the boilers are soft soldered. I have altered a few Mamods over the years! Getting rid of the elasticated metal bands is always top of my priority list when it comes to making changes. LOL

@@edwinwhite933 I'm not defending either. I look at it technically. the wilesco has better torque and doesn't need any changes, works very well and is really high quality

Agreed. Wilesco are a cut above Mamod, but Mamod definitely have a place cos generally they are more economical to purchase. Mostly I have Mamods for a quick project rather than start a major model engineering project.

Thanks Garry, Angela is polite generally refrains from any comment concerning how I mess things about. She knows me to well!

The tyres certainly make a good difference. I have fitted them to most of my mamod engines although the models do spend most of their time on the shelf! Many thanks for commenting. Ed

Congratulations. If it is anything like mine it should run quite well, although in my view Mamods are not made for serious work. Best wishes

Many thanks Will, pleased it was useful, Ed

Glad to help

Thanks Martin. I have a couple of additional ideas for the lorry, but I am working on something else at present so watch this space (eventually) Ed

Many thanks Don. you are absolutely correct. Sadly my enthusiasm to mess about with this toy has diminished at this time.I do have a number of butane fired models. Have to admit however I do like spirit burners - somehow they are nearer the 'real' thing for me. I guess I am just a bit perverse! LOL Ed

Many thanks Alistair and I'm pleased you like the video. I have both the lorry and the car. I don't mind the mudguards, the vehicles are not intended to be of any particular prototype just generic toys (in my view anyway). Have to admit though I don't look at them very often. Ed

Many thanks. It does run quite well (insofar as Mamods do).

Nice one! Gone up a bit in price since then however.

Thank you! Cheers!

Thanks Matthew and I agree re Wilesco. I think Mamod build down to a price cos really they produce toys for children. That said I have wondered why they don't offer geared versions of their engines. Clearly would cost more, but people could make their own choice as to which variant they buy. At the end of the day I guess Mamod know their business model and as they are still in business it must be a successful business model. regards Ed

Hi, I confess I don't like the appearance of the spring bands. Also I think there is much less friction in the drive if you use chains or gears as the drive. Like you I bought a second hand and much travelled Meccano steam engine years ago and eventually played around with it, before at least temoporarily abandoning the project. One day I may get back to it and use it to power a wheeled vehicle. I did 3 vids on the engine 2 of which are kzfaq.info/get/bejne/hbOJZ5tqtbjJpqc.html and kzfaq.info/get/bejne/obp_hKV1vLS3m40.html I never seem to get the hang of attaching links, but if you are interested hopefully the foregoing may help you find them. Ed

Thank you! Cheers!

Thanks Harold and I tend to agree. However if you have some gears (meccano gears should work ok) and a drilling machine, converting to the geared drive does allow the lorry to run. If you find some of my earlier videos you can see that I made similar mods to the mamod roller and traction engine that improves their running no end. That said I don't really think Mamods are made for any serious work. Thanks.

Odd. I have a 50-60 year old Steam Roller with a trailer hitch. I hook a wagon behind it and sometimes my huge mm115 big bang cannon. It pulls with no issues

Yeah, I agree, still it takes all sorts. The gearing and chain drive are not only a practical improvement, but also cosmetically the waggon looks a lot better in my view.

@@edwinwhite933 and now i've gone and bought one to restore off ebay

I'm sure you will enjoy - have fun

Thanks Eliot - no I did not steam the lorry before I altered it. I assure you there are no instructions on the back of the box my one came in. I kept the box and have just rechecked. I bought the lorry as a 'quick' project for something to do while I contemplated my next more serious model engineering foray (which I am now on with). I have a few Mamods and was not really bothered by the paucity of instruction, but I think a child new to the genre might have a bit of trouble with lack of instruction. If I had to summarise two important facts in running a mamod - 1. ONLY use distilled or de ionised water and 2. fill the boiler to the mark and however tempting let the engine cool and top up the water before a subsequent run - don't try more than one run on one boiler fill because the risk of a boiler failure is high. Over the years I have aquired a few second hand Mamods very cheaply cos the boilers have been melted. Good for me, but not so good for dissapointed owners I suspect. Goes without saying that oiling all round every run is a good idea. Nothing particularly against Mamods - they are what they are. If you check my U tube channel you will see a couple of examples of other Mamods I have messed about. Many thanks Ed

@@edwinwhite933 way did you put the steam whistle in the boiler and the safety valve in the fire box? i have got my own Mamod steam wagon which has the nice brown livery with white wheels and i have recently fitted tires to it. my dad got me it as a Christmas gift ten years ago now this Christmas and i have fitted a pressure gauge which has made it a lot better when i steam up the boiler. way did you repaint the cab roof?

@@eliotreader8220 Eliot at the time I thought the Whistle without its lever looked more like a prototype safety valve. Eventually I may change this as I have another use for the mamod steam whistle. At the first trial steaming the cab roof started to badly discolour. I wonder if Mamod have changed their paint formulation? In any event I have never seen a prototype wagon with a white coloured roof - black seemed more appropriate and I used a heat proof paint to avoid further over heating probs with the paint. thanks - Ed

Thanks. In general I accept Wilesco are a small cut above Mamod, but as a child I only ever had Mamods and therefore I retain some affection for them. That said Mamods do what they do very well in my opinion.