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John Chapman
SE2 - steam enthusiast 2 star
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Joined: 13 Jun 2007
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Location: Cornwall
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 Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:31 pm Post subject: Hobbies "Pioneer" |
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Something rather special arrived this afternoon - to say I am thrilled is a massive understatement.
On OFAS last week was a a rather crude steam powered windmill thing made from a shellcase and bits of aluminium. It was described as a scratchbuilt steam model and to be honest it did look a bit of a dog's breakfast. However the engine that was powering it caught my eye, it was a Hobbies "Pioneer".
It's in cracking condition and a nice wooden base will set it off a treat, not to sure about that bright green baseplate though I think that might get a repaint.
Hope to steam it tomorrow.
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Spokesmann
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| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:32 pm Post subject: |
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John thats a stunner! Excellent work, well spotted!
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avenger
SE2 - steam enthusiast 2 star
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Joined: 14 Jun 2007
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Location: West Midlands
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| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:00 pm Post subject: |
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Well done good find !
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Bowman
Minor 1 - beginner
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Location: Scotland
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| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:08 pm Post subject: |
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Sorry John, i pushed up your bid somewhat!!! Great buy nonethe less
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Mamod Collector
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Location: Chesterfield Derbyshire
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| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 10:50 pm Post subject: |
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Congratulations John thats a stunner 
I seem to remember it on ebay, did it have a windmill of some sort attached to it ?
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Mike
My personal website, with pics. 
www.mikes-steam-engines.co.uk ™
Mamod Loco
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silverfoxsteam
SE2 - steam enthusiast 2 star
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Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire
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| Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 1:48 pm Post subject: |
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It's the Chapman magic in action - you really do have an eye for the unusual John. That's a great find.
I've never heard of a Hobbies 'Pioneer', is it a boat engine? Are those big things sticking out of the top vertical flue tubes? Looks fascinating
Please tell us more about this!
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Stephen
Silver Fox Steam
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Spokesmann
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| Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 4:05 pm Post subject: |
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| silverfoxsteam wrote: | It's the Chapman magic in action - you really do have an eye for the unusual John. That's a great find.
I've never heard of a Hobbies 'Pioneer', is it a boat engine? Are those big things sticking out of the top vertical flue tubes? Looks fascinating
Please tell us more about this! |
It is a boat engine Stephen, the boiler is actually quite small, the outer casing contain the steam pipe looped around the boiler insulated with asbestos - which can catch fire...
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John Chapman
SE2 - steam enthusiast 2 star
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Joined: 13 Jun 2007
Posts: 1471
Location: Cornwall
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| Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 7:04 pm Post subject: |
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| silverfoxsteam wrote: | It's the Chapman magic in action - you really do have an eye for the unusual John. That's a great find.
I've never heard of a Hobbies 'Pioneer', is it a boat engine? Are those big things sticking out of the top vertical flue tubes? Looks fascinating
Please tell us more about this! |
In 1922 Geoffrey Bowman Jenkins demonstrated his steam powered launches to Hobbies Ltd. of Dereham, Norfolk. Hobbies were impressed and he started the manufacture of the steam launches that were sold under the Hobbies brand name.
By 1924 four launches were available; "Peggy", "Miss America", "Pioneer" and "Peter Pan", in addition the steam engines that powered the launches were also offered for sale as separate items.
In 1927 GBJ experimented with "superheated" engines for the "Pioneer" and "Peggy". They were similar in design but the "Pioneer" engine was quite a bit bigger. The boiler was contained in a cylindrical shroud” with two chimney like vents on top. The shroud was steel for the “Peggy” and brass for the “Pioneer. The steam pipe was quite long and was coiled around the boiler a number of times to provide a degree of “superheating”. Originally the steam pipe was lagged with non imflamable asbestos string. In 1927 a “Pioneer” engine cost 17 shillings and 6 pence (87.5 pence). The engines work well but were complicated and costly to manufacture so by 1929 the “Peggy” and “Pioneer” had reverted to more conventional designs
Mike (Newts) has a nice example of the superheated “Peggy” engine.
The “Pioneer” engine is a fairly substantial bit of kit. The engine unit is basically as the same as a Wormar “Elite” and very similar to a Bowman 158. The boiler is probably about the same size as a Mamod marine unit or an SE2.
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