Mamod TWK1

I fancied a traction engine to go with the roller, but I also wanted a project. The version I chose was a TWK1 (Tractor & Wagon Kit 1), which came in kit form with a log trailer. I've only bought the engine, assembled, from eBay. This is how it arrived;

Luckily(!) I had it delivered to a pick up point at a local shop, otherwise I'm sure it would have been worse. I took photos before opening just in case I had to contact the seller, however the engine itself hasn't suffered any damage;

This version differs from most other Mamod traction engines because it has a solid flywheel (from the steam lorry) and uses the wheels from the steam car at the front. It also features a rather austere finish, the boiler and firebox being plain black and the cowling over the firebox is painted rather than plated or polished. It's a look that I rather like, it's still a Mamod but a little different.

The scuttle and burner are both missing, but for now it can share them with the roller.

It's also had a bad paintjob, with the wheels having been repainted (wheels and flywheel were yellow as supplied) and blobs of yellow paint on the steam pipes.

There is a plan to restore the engine* and fix a couple of faults. Before I strip it down completely I want to get it running sweetly, at the moment there are issues with both the whistle and cylinder bracket, which I will cover in due course.

*I'm torn between stripping it down for a complete repaint (brown boiler and wheels) and just painting the wheels but leaving the rest alone as I quite like the patina.

Anyone bored with Mamods yet?

Paul.