At the end of the 1950s Eric Malins came across the Mastrand Roller in a Gamages
catalogue. This engine was to become the inspiration for Mamod's first mobile the
SR1
The first Wilesco mobile was the famous Old Smokey Steam Roller first introduced
into their range in 1966, probably in response to the success or the Mamod SR1 and
TE range.
I don’t know a great deal about this early German manufacturer. However the Fleischmann
155/1 I do own is not going to be my last.
This is my wonderful 1970 Auld Traction Engine, made by David Auld in Graymouth on
the west coast of New Zealand
I don’t know a lot about Bing mobiles but I want one badly.
Weeden have been making their standard mobiles from around the early 1920s. They
have a small and large TE and a small and large steam roller.
Marklin is one of the oldest and longest running of the German steam toy manufactures.
Their mobiles are quality toy steam at its best and fetch very high prices.
The SR1 roller was Mamod’s first mobile steam toy and appeared in 1961. The engine
featured highly polished aluminium rolls, along with stunning bright green and red
paint.
This is my collection of of Mamod TEs ranging from 1963 to 2000. Since they first
rolled of the production line Mamod have continually modified them and now there
are many variations.
All Wells Engines are made from a design by Kenneth Wells who wrote 3 texts books
(all published in 1972) Volume 3 only has 2 models, a stationary and this mobile
steam engine.
Donald Cranko made these steam toys in Havelock North, New Zealand and traded under
the name of Movie Models 1946 - 1957