Fairground Gallopers

[ScrumpyParticipant @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

[ScrumpyParticipant @scrumpy]

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

Have a look at the index

Gallopers gives a lot of returns, which are you after?

[Paul LousickParticipant @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.

[ScrumpyParticipant @scrumpy]

Many thanks for all the information it’s food for thought as you say it would make a great display

[JasonBModerator @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

[EmgeeParticipant @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

[Sean CullenParticipant @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

[Brian GParticipant @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

[Sean CullenParticipant @seancullen60833]

Certainly did Brian. That's what I get for replying from the Kindle and not the laptop, auto corrupted again 😉

[ScrumpyParticipant @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

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

If you get Doug's 1/12th plans it should be easy enough to double everything up

[Harry WilkesParticipant @harrywilkes58467]

Great pics Jason the centre engine is very nice !!!

H

[JasonBModerator @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!

[ScrumpyParticipant @scrumpy]

Thanks Jason sorry if I’m thick or missing something but could you please explain a bit further your thoughts on doubling up

[Howard LewisParticipant @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

[Sean CullenParticipant @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 ? ☺

[Ady1Participant @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

[JasonBModerator @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

[ScrumpyParticipant @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

[Jon CameronParticipant @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

[noel shelleyParticipant @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.

[JasonBModerator @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

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

I've added more photos I found but most are too poor to be used, the original publication is needed

[ScrumpyParticipant @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

[Author]

Posts