Fairground Gallopers

This topic has 31 replies, 13 voices, and was last updated 5 December 2021 at 12:44 by Jon Cameron.

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2 January 2019 at 21:11 #388987
Scrumpy
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@scrumpy
My brother and myself need advice for several years my brother has been building two showman’s engines in 2 in scale within the next year they should be finished we would like to make a fairground set of Gallopers to go with them again in 2 in scale if my memory serves me correctly there was a article along with drawing in model engineer many years ago does anyone know if this is correct if so what number magazines were they in or does anyone have a set of drawings many thanks in anticipation
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2 January 2019 at 21:11 #26373
Scrumpy
Participant
@scrumpy
2 January 2019 at 23:56 #389028
Ady1
Participant
@ady1
Have a look at the index

Gallopers gives a lot of returns, which are you after?
3 January 2019 at 01:22 #389036
Paul Lousick
Participant
@paullousick59116
I believe that "Gallopers" are an American term for horses on a Merry-go-round/Carousel. And are to be driven by his showmans traction engine. I would make a great display.
3 January 2019 at 07:46 #389058
Scrumpy
Participant
@scrumpy
Many thanks for all the information it’s food for thought as you say it would make a great display
3 January 2019 at 08:19 #389063
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
I have seen a couple at various model traction engine rallies, the late Peter Stearne's 3" scale one springs to mind and there was a very detailed one shown a few times at the Guildford show but that was centre engine driven rather than belted to a showmans engine, I only have a couple of photos of that in it's early stages

This is the Stearne's set up

Edited By JasonB on 03/01/2019 08:36:32
3 January 2019 at 09:49 #389074
Emgee
Participant
@emgee
That centre engine pictured looks like the original Savages of Kings Lynn centre engine, they built the gallopers and centre steam engine, some original plans still exist in the local museum.

Emgee
3 January 2019 at 11:36 #389088
Sean Cullen
Participant
@seancullen60833
To begin, gallopers is a British name for roundabouts which revolve clockwise with horses which go up and down as it turbs. Carousel revolve anti-clockwise and are American or European.

You might like to check Doug Foreman Engineering website as he sells plans for fairground rides in various scales.

If you are within reach of Liphook in Hampshire I could arrange to let you examine the set at Hollycombe where I have been a volunteer for a very long time and drive the gallopers.

I look forward to following your progress

Sean
3 January 2019 at 13:25 #389104
Brian G
Participant
@briang
Do you mean Doug Roseaman Engineering Sean? http://www.fairgroundmodels.co.uk

Brian

Edit: And plans list here http://www.dougroseamanengineering.co.uk/plans.html

Edited By Brian G on 03/01/2019 13:30:34
3 January 2019 at 13:47 #389112
Sean Cullen
Participant
@seancullen60833
Certainly did Brian. That's what I get for replying from the Kindle and not the laptop, auto corrupted again 😉
3 January 2019 at 13:54 #389113
Scrumpy
Participant
@scrumpy
Many thanks to all who supplied information photos and offers of help etc , a few days ago I spoke to Wizz Stearne about there Gallopers they still exhibited there set along with there Showmans engine sadly they don’t have any drawings etc . Within the next few days I’m meeting my brother to see if he wants to take it further as Wizz said it’s a big job to take on and takes up a lot of room there’s in 3 inscale is over eleven ft dia I’m only able to help part time due to my other commitments my reason for asking about model engineer was about 5/6 years ago Dingles had an auction and one was for sale along with the drawing from ME

Sadly Doug Rooseman only do 1 1/2 1 24/scale but as Jason B photos show it’s an amazing sight
3 January 2019 at 15:21 #389135
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
If you get Doug's 1/12th plans it should be easy enough to double everything up
3 January 2019 at 15:36 #389141
Harry Wilkes
Participant
@harrywilkes58467
Great pics Jason the centre engine is very nice !!!

H
3 January 2019 at 15:41 #389143
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
I thought I had some pictures of it in a more advanced state, will have to take another look.

I only got as far as making the organ engine that sits on the centre engines smokebox, in this case a Tidman one, though at 2/3rds scale the whole thing may be a bit big!
3 January 2019 at 15:41 #389144
Scrumpy
Participant
@scrumpy
Thanks Jason sorry if I’m thick or missing something but could you please explain a bit further your thoughts on doubling up
3 January 2019 at 21:49 #389225
Howard Lewis
Participant
@howardlewis46836
There is a Savage Centre Engine, with an Organ Engine, (possibly the prototype on which the Stearne's engine is modelled) at Thursford

Howard
3 January 2019 at 22:23 #389235
Sean Cullen
Participant
@seancullen60833
There is 1 Walker centre engine, 1 Rodman centre engine with organ engine and 2 Savage centre engine with organ and at Hollycombe. Who remembers Top Trumps ? ☺
3 January 2019 at 22:26 #389236
Ady1
Participant
@ady1
There's some techy stuff on them in The Engineer, july aug sept 1954

I've put jpegs in an album

They can be sourced from Graces guide

GL
4 January 2019 at 07:04 #389269
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
Drawings drawn to 1/12th scale are 1" to the foot or in model traction engine terms 1" scale.

Your Fowler is 2" scale or 2" to the foot which works out at 1/6th scale so double the size of the 1/12th plans so all you do is double all the measurements much like the 2" minnie traction engines are just the original 1" design doubled up.

You could do it with any scale plans both up or down but using the 1/12th ones will give easy calculations and you will end up with stock sizes rather than odd ones that can result from using an odd non interger multiplier
4 January 2019 at 09:20 #389286
Scrumpy
Participant
@scrumpy
Many thanks to Ady1 for the information from the engineer, Special thanks to JasonB for explaining scale I feel so silly on this I spent many hours trying to work it out but I had a mental block I should have known as I spent 12 months working in a drawing office many thanks to all
4 December 2021 at 14:00 #574237
Jon Cameron
Participant
@joncameron26580
Did anything come of this request for information? I only ask as the info posted by the other members have been very helpful. I have for a couple of years wanted to build one and thought I'd browse for information on existing gallopers. I'd like to make a steam powered one if anyone has any good images of the savage power plant. Or dimensions of the full size plant. The lack of reversing gear is a bonus as they only rotate one direction.

Cheers

Jon
4 December 2021 at 16:54 #574250
noel shelley
Participant
@noelshelley55608
Jason, I understand the air line connector on the valve chest of the beautiful little organ engine but what is the purpose of the brass vessel on the cylinder end cover? oiling ? Many thanks Noel.
4 December 2021 at 17:56 #574260
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
Yes it's a lubricator based on one on an existing engine. The lever cock is on/off and the tee handle adjusts the flow
4 December 2021 at 19:32 #574273
Ady1
Participant
@ady1
I've added more photos I found but most are too poor to be used, the original publication is needed
4 December 2021 at 19:55 #574277
Scrumpy
Participant
@scrumpy
As the person who originally asked the question my brother and myself went and viewed the gallopers at Carter’s steam fair we were told a full set of drawings were held at the Norfolk rural museum ( savage ) but despite sending emails we never had a reply then sadly we dropped the idea as we started to build a Marshall Roller but it’s a project that is something worth looking at again
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