Category:Mamod

Toy Brands and Manufacturers

Mamod

1936 - 2024

1938: Mamod fits your Meccano, Mamod S.E.4 [image info]

1939: "Mamod Minor" stationary steam engine MM1 [image info]

1954: Mamod Minor No.2 Stationary Steam Engine [image info]

1955: Mamod Minor and Mamod S.E.2 steam engines [image info]

1956: Mamod, "Pride in Achievement: Inspecting Mamod Steam Engines", trade advert. The figure on the left might be Geoffrey Malins [image info]

1957: Mamod S.E.3 Stationary Steam Engine [image info]

1958: Advert, Mamod marine steam engines (for model boats) [image info]

1960: "Can you make a working Meccano model? This beautiful model is powered by The world famous Mamod Steam Engine" [image info]

1960: Mamod S.E.2 Stationary Steam Engine [image info]

1962: S.R.1 Steamroller, Bassett-Lowke Ltd. 1962 catalogue [image info]

1967: Full-page ad, Meccano Magazine [image info]

~1979: Mamod Steam Wagon SW 1 [image info]

Mamod Traction Engine and Trailer kit, assembly diagram [image info]

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 was 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 propellers.

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."

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 Traction Engine Kit (with Log Tailer)

Fuel changes

Mamod's steam plants (just like everyone else's) were originally designed to burn methylated spirits.

When the mood began to turn against toys meant to burn liquid alcohol (because of the fire risk associated with spillage), Mamod switched to Hexamine solid fuel.

Mamod Solid Fuel tablets, 20-pack

With hexamine being increasingly considered problematic due to its use as a precursor for explosives, in 2024 Mamod were working on butane gas adaptors, and also supplying a proprietary gel-based fuel.

August 2024 shutdown

A communication from Owner/Director Adrian Lockrey on 28th July 2024 announced that Mamod would be closing, mainly due to a landlord rent increase and new terms and conditions, exacerbated by fuel issues and the fact that the localness of staff ruled out moving to a cheaper location elsewhere.

Mamod had an Open Day on August 3rd 2024 to sell off their remaining stocks, and then closed down, with Companies House listing Lockrey as ceasing to be Director on 14th August 2024.

The mamod.co.uk website is now offline (August 2024) but https://mamodspares.com/ is still going.

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