Mamod To Close After 88 Years Because of Anti Terror Rules

 

A model steam train firm has ceased production after 88 years because of anti-terror “red tape” banning a material used in its batteries.

Mamod, the British firm founded in 1936, has closed down production in its factory because of declining sales, spiralling costs and a ban on hexamine fuel tablets used to power the engines of its models.

Adrian Lockrey, 52, who owns Mamod, said he begged government counter-terrorism officials not to impose the blanket ban on hexamine but the prohibition came into force in February.

Mr Lockrey told the Mail: “It is red tape. Basically, we were doing £50,000 a month, every month, and then come February our sales dropped 50 per cent basically overnight.

“We ended up getting through to counter-terrorism in London and the woman just said, ‘well, you can’t sell it’.”

He added:

 “I said it was like me selling a torch without batteries. It was a really big kick. Apparently it’s been used to make bombs.

“We’ve been running on those hexamine tablets since 1975, before that it was methylated spirits – but then in the 70s someone burnt themselves on that so we went to this fuel tablet.”

I still have my meths powered steam roller from the early 70's.

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