Prometheus Posted August 17, 2019 Share Posted August 17, 2019 Some advice sought please... I have just been given an LNWR tinplate open wagon (very coarse O gauge) which must date from the 30s if not earlier. It was manufactured by ‘ML Ltd England’, but I have not come across this company before nor have I been able to discover anything about it on line. Is anyone able to shed any light on the manufacturer for me? many thanks. Tony Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nearholmer Posted August 17, 2019 Share Posted August 17, 2019 (edited) Meccano = Hornby. Early to mid 1920s. I’m guessing g “nut and bolt” construction, and, if you are lucky, the lettering being tin-stamped and fixed with tabs through the body-side. Value? I’d say £20 to £40, a lot more If utterly pristine and boxed. Photo stolen from “The Station Masters Rooms”. Edited August 17, 2019 by Nearholmer 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prometheus Posted August 17, 2019 Author Share Posted August 17, 2019 34 minutes ago, Nearholmer said: Meccano = Hornby. Early to mid 1920s. I’m guessing g “nut and bolt” construction, and, if you are lucky, the lettering being tin-stamped and fixed with tabs through the body-side. That’s the one - separate lettering attached with little tabs. Had not realised that was the early Meccano logo on the side. many thanks Tony Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Il Grifone Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 They are quite rare and came lettered for several pre-gouping railways. Not GWR for some reason. I suppose Birkenhead didn't count as local, being the wrong side of the Mersey? I believe they bolt together IIRC. With the grouping a new design of wagon appeared from Hornby and the clipped on lettering disappeared. Gold lettering was popular for a while. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nearholmer Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 (edited) Hornby trains were first announced in Meccano Magazine in June/July 1920, but they didn’t advertise them properly until well into 1921, because demand was such that they couldn’t keep up over the Christmas period, even without proper adverts! From what I can discern from the definitive book, the tabbed lettering ceased c1923/4. Edited August 18, 2019 by Nearholmer 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prometheus Posted August 18, 2019 Author Share Posted August 18, 2019 .....and not cheap toys, either. Many thanks for the further replies - appreciated. For those who are interested, the wagon came from the same source that gave me - the day before - this delightful affair: Made by Doll and Co in the early 1920s [almost certainly, I thought originally Willesco, but was incorrect], it is missing one or two easily replaceable parts. A test steam will be undertaken in due course, after cleaning and checking. It hasn't run in anger for well over 60 years and the original owner was forbidden from using it again after setting fire to the lounge carpet. Tony 7 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Il Grifone Posted August 19, 2019 Share Posted August 19, 2019 Very easy with meths! My brother's Mamod traction engine never worked again after we used the wrong fuel for it.... Quote from the Hornby ad. "The Hornby Train lasts for ever." True enough! It takes neglect or deliberate misuse to kill them. My LMS No. 1 tank from two or three years later still runs perfectly. The 30/- (1922) is allegedly now £84.53. One saved a few bob by buying the set. I believe the LBSC version is the rarest. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hroth Posted August 19, 2019 Share Posted August 19, 2019 10 hours ago, Prometheus said: it is missing one or two easily replaceable parts Looks like its just the chimney, a drivebelt to the dynamo and a lightbulb you'll need! Oil all round and off you go. (just check that the safety valve isn't sticking...) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prometheus Posted August 19, 2019 Author Share Posted August 19, 2019 And the weight that hangs on the safety valve arm. I guess, without it, the valve will lift at the first opportunity. Easily sorted though. Wait for the bang! Tony Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Titan Posted August 19, 2019 Share Posted August 19, 2019 19 hours ago, Prometheus said: .....and not cheap toys, either. Many thanks for the further replies - appreciated. For those who are interested, the wagon came from the same source that gave me - the day before - this delightful affair: Made by Doll and Co in the early 1920s [almost certainly, I thought originally Willesco, but was incorrect], it is missing one or two easily replaceable parts. A test steam will be undertaken in due course, after cleaning and checking. It hasn't run in anger for well over 60 years and the original owner was forbidden from using it again after setting fire to the lounge carpet. Tony I have this very same engine! A word of caution, I would try and find an alternative Mamod burner or similar as the original is very prone to boiling the meths and ending up as a fireball. Probably what happened to the original owner all those years ago. Very advisable to have a large damp cloth on standby. Also the pressure gauge is very inaccurate. Mine goes off the end of the dial with barely enough steam to turn the engine (And yes I did make sure the safety valve was working correctly) Other than that they are well made. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prometheus Posted August 19, 2019 Author Share Posted August 19, 2019 Thanks for that Titan. Are Mamod solid fuel or liquid fuelled? Tony Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Sweet pea Posted August 21, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 21, 2019 On 19/08/2019 at 18:27, Prometheus said: Thanks for that Titan. Are Mamod solid fuel or liquid fuelled? Tony Hi Tony I collect Mamod stationery engines and some of mine are steamed using three different fuels. Esbit tablet stink and can be harmful if not ventilated properly. Meths is a little better, but word of caution can also be dangerous. Not the cleanest of fuels. My favourite is gas fuel to run my engines, cleaner for our engines and much safer to use. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Titan Posted August 21, 2019 Share Posted August 21, 2019 (edited) On 19/08/2019 at 18:27, Prometheus said: Thanks for that Titan. Are Mamod solid fuel or liquid fuelled? Tony It depends on the age. Early models are meths fired, later ones are solid fuel to comply with safety regulations. I use one of the vapourising meths burners as used in the road vehicles, and it seems to run quite well on that without bursting in to flames. And the death trap burner... https://youtu.be/lCECs7k4Tmw Edited August 21, 2019 by Titan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
friscopete Posted August 21, 2019 Share Posted August 21, 2019 This why every house had to have a hearth.Now days few homes are built with even a chimney meaning come Doomsday only the very old or rich will be able to burn their furniture to cook and keep warm. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prometheus Posted August 21, 2019 Author Share Posted August 21, 2019 Thanks for your replies both: something to think about. Titan - is the hanging safety-valve weight marked with its actual weight by any chance? Thanks Tony Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Titan Posted August 21, 2019 Share Posted August 21, 2019 Unfortunately not. However I have weighed it and it is approximately 2 oz or 60 g. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prometheus Posted August 21, 2019 Author Share Posted August 21, 2019 Brilliant, thank you. It looks, too, as though the chimney for the Willesco D14 engine may be possible to fit my model. Tony Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prometheus Posted August 21, 2019 Author Share Posted August 21, 2019 ...and sorry to keep bothering you, but does the centrifugal governor on your's work, or is it just a cosmetic item? I'll have another question later!! Thanks Tony Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now