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Reviving A Live Steam Mamod / MSS Locomotive - 4K Subscriber Special!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 ส.ค. 2024
- Can I revive this Live Steam Mamod / MSS Locomotive and get it running again? Find out in this special 4K Subsciber Special.
Well here we are at another big milestone, this time the channel has hit 4K Subscribers! Thank you so much to everyone who has subscribed and continues to enjoy my videos. For this special video I wanted to do something big and knowing how much you guys have enjoyed seeing Live Steam engines on my channel before, I figured I'd have a go at running this G Scale / 16mm Mamod MSS Live Steam Locomotive.
This particular live steam locomotive hasn't been run in several years and needed a bit of restoration before it would run properly. I had to give it a bit of an overhaul but was I successful and did manage to steam the loco up and getting it running?
Stay tuned to the end to find out!
Watch more Live Steam Videos here:
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:05 - The Mamod / MSS Live Steam Engine
03:37 - Overhauling The Mamod
06:47 - How To Steam Up A Mamod Locomotive
08:54 - The Test Run!
10:45 - The Second Steam Up
12:04 - The Big Running Session!
Thanks for watching!
I've rebuilt a couple of these, an easy upgrade is an uprated safety valve from MSS, ups the operating pressure from 14psi to 25psi and makes an nice improvement. I've also fitted a bix gas burner...... Stops it setting fire to stuff as it goes round 😂
Yes, I've been thinking about making a few modifications. I was looking at the Dream Steam safety valve originally, which seems to require replacing the whistle but the uprated MSS one you mention looks like it's just a straight swap for the existing safety valve. That seems much easier to install than having to replace the whistle if that is the case.
Similarly with the burner, I was thinking about a meths burner but I suspect you're right. Given my track record with the loco tipping over, a gas burner might be best for all involved! 😂
Thanks for watching 👍
What is MSS? I just purchased a Mamod Steam Set in near perfect condition. Does it run on G scale track without modification?
@@RailyardProductions MSS = Miniature Steam Specialists. They took over Mamod Loco production in the 1980's when Mamod went bust the second time
Just stumbled across this, and I have to say I like the video. One small tip on the boiler wash is to drain the vinegar from the boiler directly. By running it through the cylinders, you're trapping all the scale from the boiler in the cylinders. A solution would be to do a first batch of vinegar to clear the boiler then move on to another pass to clear the cylinders. Keep things up though, enjoyed the video!
Edit: One more thought, a bit less oil may be a good idea. On my live steam stuff in this scale I generally apply oil to the bearing, then wipe the excess off. Excess oil can actually act as a polishing compound, and cause premature wear to the bearings.
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! I actually did as you suggest when cleaning the boiler, I just cut the process down a bit to keep the video moving along. Good to know about the oil though, I think I added a bit extra because they still felt a bit stiff but I'll keep that in mind for the future. Thanks for watching 😃
I cant wait to see it on your layout!
Me too! I think it'll take quite a bit of work though as the layout wasn't built with live steam in mind. There's some tricky gradients in hard to reach places but fingers crossed I'll figure something out. Thanks for watching 😃
@@ThatModelRailwayGuy my only question is is this the only one that you own in terms of a garden design.
Good noon boss and happy new year.
I had the Princess of Wales special edition as a teenager. It was an amazing Christmas present. Watching you run it brought back memories. It often would come off the tracks. Love your idea of adding weights....making the effort to disassemble it you could probably add them inside the tanks on each side? Never did I consider adding insulation to the control lever up front...excellent idea as it would always get very hot.
Awesome! Adding weight to mine has definitely helped with the de-railing. As for the regulator, I think mine actually came like that. I definitely wouldn't want to try controlling it without that on there! Thanks for watching 😃
Thanks for sharing - you’re right - in pot boiler locos oil in the pistons creates the seal so steam oil, which acts well in the heat and steam is essential for good performance.
Good to know David! I suspected that was the case so glad to know it was worthwhile doing. Thanks for watching 😃
Thank you
You're welcome! Thanks for watching 😃
Great job , she looks really nice !
Thanks Fred, yeah I really like the simplicity of these locos and how they look. Thanks for watching 😃
A fantastic job! She runs like a dream. One thing i noticed however, is that you placed the weight on the right side of the cab while the loco was turning left, causing an awkward lean to one side. Apart from that, she's a beauty. Might I suggest calling her "Arsonist"?
Arsonist would certainly be an appropriate name 😅 Yes I put the weight on the outside as that was the side the had a tendency to lift off the rails. It was a bit of a make do with what I had in the moment situation. Thanks for watching 👍
Well, lady, this is your shining time too
-Burnett Stone
You know I'd never realised how similar the Mamod engines and Lady look until now! Thanks for watching 😃
Brilliant! One point, can you lube the pistons inside the cylinders?, or does the oil on the connecting rod manage to go into the cylinder?
The oil on the rods is usually enough to keep the cylinders moving. You can dismantle the cylinders for maintenance if you really want to but it's a pretty involved job so not the sort of thing you'd be doing before every running session. Thanks for watching 😃
Congratulations on 4K! What a lovely engine
Thank you! The big 4K livestream will be sometime later this week so hope to see you there. Thanks for watching 😃
I will be!
Interesting video - look forward to seeing it on the outside track
Thanks! That's definitely the plan for the future. I tried some experimental running earlier this week and it's struggling on the gradients as I expected. Hopefully I'll be able to figure something out for a future video though. Thanks for watching 😃
I’d love to see it on your garden railway!
That does seem to be the general consensus so I guess I'll have to figure out how to get it running on there now! 😂 Thanks for watching 👍
That's really cool! Well done on getting it working!
Thanks Oscar, yeah there's something about live steam that's really special. Looking forward to hopefully making more videos like this. Thanks for watching 😃
Great stuff on hitting 4K! Congrats, a great live steam video looking forward to hopefully seeing it on the garden layout
Thank you! Yeah was great fun trying to get it running again, really glad it all worked out and hopefully we will see it on the garden railway later in the Summer. Thanks for watching 😃
looks very good like to see it on the layout.cheers tom
Thanks Tom, yes that's definitely the goal. I need a plan to get even more power out of the loco so that it can run round the layout but hopefully I'll be able to figure something out. Thanks for watching 😃
Really great video, well done on the maintenance on the live steam loco, worked a treat 😀, I can imagine there not easy to control but practice makes perfect and I would live to see it on the garden railway with a couple of coaches 😀
Thanks Adam, yes I'm so pleased that the maintenance paid off. Control-wise they're a bit like the Hornby pocket rockets, except even more temperamental! 😆 The goal is definitely to get it running on the proper garden layout sometime but that may be easier said than done. Thanks for watching 😃
That was awesome, would love to have alive steam loco similar but they are hard to find for the right price.
Keep up the great work! 😄
Thanks Gerard! Yeah I'd love to go all in on live steam locos outdoors but they're so expensive. The Mamod's are the cheapest I've come across but as you can see they need a lot of work to keep them happy. Thanks for watching 😃
I've got a blue one which I bought off a mate, he re-gauged it for me to run on Lego track as I only have Lego track. Might as well, so its unique now.
Fantastic, what an incredible idea! Just don't melt your track like I did 😂
Thanks for watching 👍
Incredible!
Thanks, they are good fun aren't they! I'm really pleased that I was able to improve the running too. Thanks for watching 😃
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I'm no expert, but the front loading may be because they expected it to be pulling a few coaches or wagons. It explains the weights helping.
Interesting theory John. I have to admit I thought it was purely a side effect of the heavy cylinder block needing to be at the front of the loco. Hopefully I'll get it running with some rolling stock one day and we'll be able to see if that makes any difference. Thanks for watching 😃
Fantastic just brought one my self for garden going round fishpond can't wait to try it out later this afternoon
Ah brilliant! Let us know how you get on with it. They can be a bit tricky to get going initially but hopefully you'll have lots of fun! Best of luck and thanks for watching 😃
@@ThatModelRailwayGuy it runs like a dream right old pocket rocket not to keen on hills though part from that runs alright it's blue n got national coal board on tanks gave it paint job didn't like it red 😀😀😀
@@dansterland1824 Great to hear Dan! Haha, yeah they really are pocket rockets and even the slightest gradient is enough to halt them - I'm currently struggling with that myself. Sounds like a great start to a little industrial line though and this is the perfect time of year to start a garden railway 👍
Oh God I hope it doesn’t derail and fall into the pond
Great idea but be wary of getting oil into the pond. That’s not good for the fish!
Awesome, have one of these and it has never run right . Will definitely be trying the vinegar clean and seeing the results .
Great stuff! Yeah it's worth a shot, it's pretty hard to get wrong and based on my experience it can make a world of difference. Just don't leave the vinegar in for too long! Thanks for watching 😃
Very nice indeed! Just a tip - if you take the piston(s) off and get a polishing paste called "autosol", you pollish both sides. This way the piston sits flush against the block. This does improve running.
That's a great idea! I love simple little things like that so I'll definitely have to give that a try when I next have it running. Thanks for watching 😃
What a great little engine
Yeah they're nice and simple and good fun. It's a great way to get into the live steam area of the hobby without breaking the bank too. Thanks for watching 😃
If you have problems on a gradient add more weight/ ballast to the cab. And try to keep it as low as possible so it doesn't get to top heavy.
It's less an issue with the weight (as you can see in the video I've added plenty of this to cab already) and more to do with the actual power really. Thanks for watching 👍
@That Model Railway Guy I understand what you are saying. But weight distribution in a model can be finique. I saw that you have added some removable weights. A live steamer model is top-heavy. Sorry, I knew I was forgetting something. Like the old MDC, Model Die Casting, red box kits are a case in point. Great weight, but in my humble opinion, most were a bit top-heavy. Like my favorite, there three truck Shay locomotives. Tended to wobble a little bit. I had to file it carefully to get it level. And then it tended to still wobble a bit. When you add weight permanently, try to keep it low. Sheet lead on the foot board. This should be less noticeable. I think that this is a bit more understandable, but I'm starting to ramble. Time for a nap.
First and great video as always, please do try the loco the the main garden railway and so how it works :D
Thanks! I'd love to get it running on the actual garden railway but I suspect that's easier said than done as there are some tricky gradients that I know the Mamod won't like. If I make any progress though it'll definitely be a video! Thanks for watching 😃
great video are they R1 curves?
Hi Glen, yes that's right, LGB R1 curves. Thanks for watching 👍
a little bit of a question, can i use bicycle oil on my oo gauge collection? superb video love live steam :D
Hmm, I've never tried it myself but I wouldn't recommend it. Personally I use sewing machine oil, I would think oil intended for bicycles would be too heavy for such a small model. Thanks for watching 😃
@@ThatModelRailwayGuy ok thx mate you just saved me for almost ruining my models. 😁
*Imagine if this became a mamod live stream*
Haha! Never say never, maybe if I can figure out how to get all my streaming equipment outside we can make that a reality! Thanks for watching 😃
Great video - thanks. These little Mamod locos always seem to hurtle round the track at an unrealistic speed for a narrow gauge railway though. Is this about a lack of finesse in the regulator?
Glad you enjoyed it Joe. Yes the regulator/reverser is pretty basic and only has two settings: ON/OFF 😂 When you compare them to Roundhouse or Accucraft locos, the Mamod's are really more like toys. It's a bit of fun but if you want more realistic running and better detail you're really looking at spending ten times the price (at least!). Thanks for watching 😃
@@ThatModelRailwayGuy Thanks for your reply. Looking forward to seeing it on the garden railway!
@@ThatModelRailwayGuy I hate to be that guy, but the on/off thing is poppycock.
If you're careful with the reverser block you can get them running beautifully slowly. One of mine was the survivor of a house fire and hadn't really been used before that and even stock it's capable of near scale speed, I don't even have issues with it derailing.
THAT SAID - your model is MSS and MSS are not exactly great, you might be having slight issues with the wheels binding on the curves, my MSS Re-wheeled model refused to take a 3ft radius Peco curve for that reason. Look into some Roy Wood Models Wheels, you might be surprised, and use the lightest touches on the regulator. They also don't like slopes very much, keep that in mind.
@@dankerthanclanker Interesting, to be honest I've mostly been going off what others have said coupled with my own experiences.
That said, mine will run slower than shown in the video (especially if the wheels are suspended) but if it's on the track it usually doesn't get very far. Thanks for watching 😃
@@ThatModelRailwayGuy I'll be honest, as much as I genuinely despise Mamod, I have to give credit where it's due, and their SL1 version of this engine can be surprisingly good. MSS? I have my own axe to grind with them, the challenge at this scale is always getting things to run slowly/scale speed, but if you're careful and find the minimum point on the throttle it'll stall at, it can surprise you.
well done mate🚂👍🏻
Thanks Neil, really "chuffed" I got it working again! Thanks for watching 😃
Nice video. I would suggest put a drop of oil on each of the 4 wheel bearings too.
Thanks! Yeah I've definitely learnt that since this video was originally made and it has improved the running. I really should do an update at some point! Thanks for watching 😃
Wow that is awesome well done on getting it running im guessing because it is a live steam loco it was expensive how much do they usually cost.
Thanks Nicholas, it was great to see the improvement! These Mamod/MSS locos are among the cheapest live steam locos I've come across and this one cost me £150 around 15 years ago (though I think they're more like £200 these days). Compared to the thousands you usually have to spend on a live steam loco though it's still reasonably priced, although a lot more simple than what other manufacturers are making. Thanks for watching 😃
I got one of these a couple of months ago very good models 👍
Awesome! They can be a lot of fun if you get them running properly. Need to do a little more work on mine to be honest. Thanks for watching 😃
I usually dab a bit of sterno on the solid fuel to get it going
Nice tip Julian! Can't say I've ever tried it myself as I've always found the solid fuel lights fairly quickly with the firelighters but still good to know. Thanks for watching 😃
You inspired me to fix my engine again
Amazing! Hopefully it's a nice easy process for you like it was with mine. Let us know how it goes and thanks for watching 😃
@@ThatModelRailwayGuy it was a easy fix. Just finished soldering a new pipe in the old one broke because I dropped it.
Really enjoyed the video. Not exactly on topic but I have a Mamod stationary engine which is now over 60 years old and which I am reluctant to fire up these days in case the boiler has become defective through age (not mine, the engine's !). Is there any way to test this without risking an explosion?
Hi Nigel, I'm really not an expert with these but I have seen some people test boilers/locos using compressed air to check them. I would definitely get the opinion of someone who knows what they're talking about though rather than just taking my word for it! Thanks for watching 😃
Where do you buy your white vinegar, distilled water, and steam oil? Do you get it from local high street shops, or do you prefer eBay or other online retailers?
Hi Andrew! The vinegar was just cheap stuff from ASDA, the steam oil was the Mamod branded stuff that came with the loco originally (I don’t think it had been used much 🙄) and the Distilled Water was a big 5L bottle I got off Amazon so a bit of a mixture really. Thanks for watching 👍
Mamod current loco has a larger silver solder boiler, larger safety valve and a built in lubricator
Also gas fired all as std
Hey Peter, this one is at least 15 years old I reckon. But that was part of the fun of getting it going again. Thanks for watching 😃
Mamod locomotive are great, add radio control and an alcohol burner, and you will have a great runner!
Yeah they are great. I quite like the simplicity of them though so I won't be upgrading it too much, just a few modifications to get a bit more power I think. Thanks for watching 😃
Amazing what a bit of maintenance can do
It really is! So glad I've managed to get it running again. Thanks for watching 😃
I don't have a live steam loco but I do have a live steam traction engine from Wilesco
Awesome! I've always been slightly curious about those even though my interest is firmly in railways. Thanks for watching 😃
Good job with the loco & the video. Only question now is do you think you will modify the engine?
Thank you! I'd definitely like to get more power out of it so that it can run round my proper garden layout, perhaps with a coach or two. There's so much you can do to modify these locos it's difficult to know where to start really 🤔
Thanks for watching 👍
@@ThatModelRailwayGuy I find a good place to start is the fire and dream steam website as they have a large list of mss/mamod mods
@@megablasternation769 Yes I'd had a look at Dream Steam. Thinking I might dip my toe in with a meths burner and a new safety valve to increase the pressure. Hoping that'll give me enough power to at least get a full circuit 😂
@@ThatModelRailwayGuy yep, those are a good starting point just make sure your safety valve had the right threading. I have ruined a boiler by getting the wrong theading on my replacement safety valve. Also can I recommend a water top up valve, it's a life saver.
Now to see if you can add an in line steam oil lubricator and throttle for better control, maybe even a meths spirit burner or butane burner,
there are a lot of after market mods for these that add great control and enhance the useability
Yeah definitely think I'm going to have to make some modifications if I want it to have enough power to run on my actual garden layout. I've been looking into what's out there but there's so much it's hard to know where to start! 😂
Thanks for watching 👍
@@ThatModelRailwayGuy biggest problem is the MSS and Mamod locomotives are not insulated so no running track powered stock,
Dream stream has a good selection including spirit and gas burners, regulator and refill valves
@@shayleebell9206 True although I think I'd have enough to focus on with the live steam engine going round without worrying about the track powered locos too.
Yes I've been looking at Dream Steam, currently formulating a plan before diving into all the modifications but hopefully I'll do another video over the Summer. 😃
did the two bits of wood that you used to run the engine stationary have any burn marks on them? i have seen other people do something similar on youtube with these engines and i am going to see how it gos with my own loco as i have a bad back i can't run in my garden
Hi Eliot, I don't think there were any burn marks but obviously it's best to use scrap wood blocks just in case. At the back the engine is supported on the buffer beam and at the front it's on the cylinder block. You do get a bit of hot water around there but the fire is more in the centre of the loco.
As you've noticed though, many people run the loco up on blocks like this so I wouldn't be too worried about it and remember you generally need to be more aware of a live steam loco anyway. Best of luck and thanks for watching 😃
Here's a tip for longer running...fill the boiler with hot water to start with. Enjoy
Actually I’m surprised I didn’t mention it looking back at the video now but it was indeed filled with hot water. Steamed up very quickly and got a good 20-30mins if running time. Thanks for watching 😃
Not really shown much interest but watched the vidio and I can see the appeal, thank you
No worries Christine, live steam definitely isn't for everyone but it's still nice to see it running. Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching 😃
Where do you buy it
Hi a question, what is the white thing you lit with fire is called
Hi there, they’re called firelighters. They’re mostly used for starting BBQ fires as they burn easily so they’re good for getting the fire going before the solid fuel tablets catch fire. Thanks for watching 😃
Great video, glad to know I'm not the only one who uses valve oil on models. It works well on my trumpet so why not 🤷♂️ 😂
Thanks! Haha, I did wonder if anyone would notice that. Steam Oil definitely works better on the pistons but I'm with you, the valve oil works great on all my brass instruments and I've got tons of it lying around and it works great on the moving parts. Thanks for watching 😃
Just a question. Where would one look for a hornby live steam train at? I would like to have one but um to be honest if i had a layout i would need to build a hole other one for a live steam. Lol-ish?
Hi there, the best place to look would probably be on Ebay as Hornby haven't made them for quite a while now. You'll most likely need either the Mallard or Flying Scotsman set that comes with the special controllers (unless you're able to find those separately) but do bare in mind that price and condition can fluctuate. Best of luck and thanks for watching 😃
Question: Do you need to clean out the smoke box?
No, the smokebox is purely cosmetic on simple locomotive like this as there's basically just a pipe that takes the steam out the top. The tray underneath where the fuel goes will need quick clean every so often but that's about it. Thanks for watching 😃
@@ThatModelRailwayGuy so what if you used say, wood instead of the tablets? Would you need to clean it out or...
@@Chessie-Steam-Special The tray is pretty small, I don't think that amount of wood would burn hot enough or long enough to even raise steam.
Is it running too fast for such tight radius curves ??
With the Mamod/MSS live steam engines you don't get much speed control. Once you open the regulator it's either On or Off 😅 Thanks for watching 👍
Hi could you tell me the track gauge for this loco, thanks
Hi there, it's 45mm although I believe it's also available (or at least was) as a 32mm version too. Thanks for watching 😃
Many thanks, now subscribed
@@bertyjustice4424 Awesome, thank you! 🤩
I bought a steam engine what price
Is that 16mm or 00?
Definitely 16mm! The 00 locos look quite small standing next to this. Mine is gauged for 45mm track so that's it compatible with all the LGB G Scale stuff I have on the garden railway. Thanks for watching 😃
Good noon boss and happy new year.