Category:Mamod

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Mamod

1936 -     


Mamod was launched by Geoffrey H. Malins in the mid-1930s to produce steam-powered stationary engines and mobile models, with the company name being a contraction of Malins Models.

The company is known for producing a small and unique range of distinct (and often very recognisable) steam-powered model vehicles.

Mamod Steam Models, catalogue, circa ~1979


Origins

Between the end of World War One until around 1934/35, Hobbies Ltd. were selling steam engines made by Geoffrey Bowman, along with a range of Hobbies-Bowman boats. When the business failed to make as much money as Bowman had hoped, and he decided to branch out into other engineering interests, Hobbies needed another source of supply, and struck up an agreement with another engineer called Geoffrey, Geoffrey Malins, who was already supplying the company with brass propellors.

Malins had had a variety of engineering jobs, (like Bowman) enjoyed being self-employed, and had set up a workshop in his garden shed and started calling his business G.M. Patents Co.

After a meeting at the 1935 British Industries Fair, Malins started producing small engines for Hobbies broadly similar to their previous "Bowman"-produced range, producing the stationary steam engines SE.1, SE.2, SE.3 and SE.4, and a marine engine for fitting to boats, the ME.1. Where some of the Bowman range had been available in two versions, with a wood base or a metal base punched with holes at Meccano-compatible spacings, all of the new Malins stationary engines had Meccano-style bases. Understanding that there was also a significant market for selling the engines direct rather than just through Hobbies, Malins rebranded the range as Mamod, and renamed the company Malins (Engineering) Ltd. ... which was less catchy, but left the door open for other possible manufacturing projects.

Post-war

After World War Two, Mamod revised their designs and then expanded the range to include a number of model steam-powered model road vehicles.

In the 1960s Meccano Ltd decided that they wanted to once again offer a stationary steam engine for powering Meccano models themselves, and contracted Mamod to make their new, unimaginatively-titled Meccano Steam Engine between 1965 and 1979. Mamod also started selling an updated solid-fuel-burning version, the SP 3.

Mamod engines are now fired with safe, convenient Mamod solid fuel. All are fitted with a safety valve and are supplied with a safety valve and are supplied complete with filler funnel, fuel, (except in certain export countries), burner tray and full operating instructions. Boiler and steam fittings are all made from high quality brass and copper.

Elsewhere in the construction, steel and die-castings are used to give maximum strength and realism. The baseplates have holes to suit construction sets by Meccano and other manufacturers.

1968 Products

TE.1 TRACTION ENGINE
"A precision unit powered by a very efficient steam unit. Fitted with speed regulator and towing eye. The canopy can be removed to allow tractor to be used as an open type unit. Extension steering rod supplied for easy manoevring."
SR.1 STEAM ROLLER
"This super quality model will travel approx a third of a mile in a ten minute run. Boiler fittings include safety valve and whistle. Fired by a vaporising spirit lamp. Steam exhausted up chimney for added realism. Supplied with extension steering rods."
ME.1 MARINE STEAM ENGINE
"A very lively power unit for boats of about 24 in. length. Simple installation, direct drive gives maximum efficiency with 15 minutes fast steaming to a filling."
SE.1 STEAM ENGINE
"This model has the same specifications as the SE.2 but is fitted with a smaller boiler without the whistle and speed regulator."
SE.2 SUPERHEATED STEAM ENGINE
"A great favourite with model makers. Superheated steam pipe for greater efficiency. 2 in. diameter spoked flywheel and separate driving pulley. Boiler fittings include whistle and speed regulator."
SE.3 SUPERHEATED TWIN CYLINDER STEAM ENGINE
"This perfect power unit for model propulsion has twin oscillating cylinders, coupled to 2½ in. diameter flywheel. Boiler fittings include stop cock, whistle and water level end plug. Detachable chimney for storage purposes."
MINOR No.2 STEAM ENGINE
"Exceptional power and performance for such a moderate price. Brass balanced crank gives particularly smooth action at high speeds. Capable of driving a series of MAMOD working models."
Working Models
MINIATURE LINESHAFT – "Enables several models to be connected for driving from a model steam engine, clockwork or electric motor. Shaft and pulleys fit Meccano."
MODEL POWER PRESS – "This model is fitted with a 1 3/8 in. diameter red-spoked flywheel. Easily driven by one of the smaller engines."
MODEL POWER HAMMER – "1 3/8 in. diameter spoked flywheel, an ideal accessory for even the smallest engine."
MINIATURE POLISHING MACHINE – "Fitted with two 1 ¼ in. diameter felt polishing wheels."
MINIATURE GRINDING MACHINE – "Fitted with two 3/4 in. diameter Arcorundum grinding wheels."
1968: Mamod Working Models


1971 additions

SR 1a STEAM ROLLER
"A superbly realistic model driven by a highly efficient steam engine. Can also be used to drive workshop models. Fitted with reverse control, whistle, boiler sight glass and steering extension."
TE 1a TRACTION ENGINE
"Very attractive model of a traditional English traction engine. Fitted with reverse control, whistle, boiler sight glass and steering extension. Can also be used to drive workshop models."
SW 1 STEAM WAGON
"A heavily built model of an overtype steam wagon. The body is detachable from the chassis and the reduction gear gives increased traction and carrying capacity. The Wagon is fitted with reverse control, whistle, boiler sight glass and steering extension."
SR 1 STEAM ROADSTER
"A unique and magnificent model of a motor car which captures the elegance of the Edwardian Era. The Roadster is beautifully built and has reverse control for added realism. A boiler sight glass is fitted and a steering extension is provided."
LW 1 LUMBER WAGON
"A highly realistic outfit. Tubular chassis has swivel front axle and draw bar which hitches on to rear of Traction Engine or Steam Roller. Simulated Tree Trunks are included."
OW 1 OPEN WAGON
"A sturdily constructed general purpose wagon with swivel front axle and a drawbar which hitches on to rear of Steam Roller or Traction Engine."
WS 1 WORKSHOP
"The ideal companion piece to Mamod engines. Can be driven by any Mamod engine or other motors. Included are: lineshaft, polishing machine, grinding machine, power hammer, power press."
SP 1 STEAM POWER ENGINE
"A low-priced engine for driving smaller size workshop models. Fitted with water level plug."
SP 2 STEAM POWER ENGINE
"Powerful, compact engine capable of driving larger workshop models. Fitted boiler sight glass."
SP 3 STEAM POWER ENGINE / MECCANO
"The perfect complement to Meccano construction sets, this engine is remarkably versatile and can be incorporated into many different models. Fitted with whistle, boiler sight glass, reverse control and Meccano sized pinion and sprocket."
SP 4 STEAM POWER ENGINE
"This splendid model is also capable of driving larger models. Fitted with reverse control, whistle, boiler sight glass and exhaust to chimney."
SP 5 STEAM POWER ENGINE
"The Classic of the stationary engines, this powerful design will drive much larger working models. It features twin cylinders with reverse control, whistle, boiler sight glass and exhaust to chimney."
Mamod Solid Fuel tablets, 20-pack
Mamod Traction Engine Kit (with Log Tailer)


Addresses

  • Malins (Engineers) Ltd., St Marys Row, Birmingham 4 – 1930s
  • Malins (Engineers) Ltd., 25-31 Camden Street, Birmingham – 1940s
  • Malins (Mamod Ltd.), Thorns Works, 206 Thorns Road, Brierly Hill, West Midlands DY4 2JZ – 1960s
  • Mamod Limited, Karatepi House, Kennel Ride, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7NN.
  • Mamod, Unit 1a Summit Crescent, Smethwick, West Midlands, B66 1BT – current at 2017

See also:

External links and references

  • Terry Davy The Hobbies Story (Nostalgia Publications, 1998) ISBN 0947630198 pages 80-81

Subcategories

This category has the following 2 subcategories, out of 2 total.

Pages in category ‘Mamod’

The following 5 pages are in this category, out of 5 total.

Media in category ‘Mamod’

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