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Hi coppinpr, with regards to the 'steeple chase' machine. My understanding is that 5 different coloured balls would 'come out of the gate' and the idea was to bet on which colour got to the finish first? Though not really sure how a payout would work on that? Have I misunderstood? MM

Thanks guys for a really interesting piece of history. I too love the trade stimulators and the simpler style of English machines for their simplicity and variety. MM

Hi, coppinpr, I don't believe you were around in the 1930s! So were all trade 'stimulators' (sorry typo) made in the US then? or did we make some here? If so what did they look like? MM

Hi, further to my last email. I am fortunate to have an old peddle driven fret saw and as it has a very fine blade, it should be easy enough to cut a plastic track for the penny. I am excited at the thought of getting started over the weekend. MM

Hi, "Protected Registered British Design Nos. 837474 & 337774 - U.S.A. Registered Design No. D 8?243 Modele Deposé. FOR AMUSEMENT ONLY MFD. BY BCM/MMMM LONDON.W.C.1". I did wonder if it was a type of trade simulator as there seems to be no other payout when you win. I just love the loo...

Thanks Bryans fan, Wow I wish mine was in as good a condition. I guess they made these over a long period of time. Anyone know when they first started making this type of machine? MM

Thanks coppinpr, it is great to be able to chew these problems over with someone else. Using fret sawn wood for the track could work as the machine shouldn't get a great deal of use, so wear and tear would not be an issue. I still think I could give the right angled plastic a try, it would be easy e...

Hi, thanks guys, all useful info. Problem with keeping the original track is that it will result in many gaps and possible trip up points for the penny to negotiate. Plus the fact that the track is so brittle, I'm not sure it will stand me drilling through it. I think that pennymachines is correct a...

Hi pennymachines. Looks in this case are absolutely deceiving! As you can see from the pic I have cleared all the debris away and given it a first sanding. The track is 'broken' in many places and when I gave it the wiggle test, several of the pieces were found to be held in position by one secured ...

Thanks again coppinpr, will give it a wiggle and see if it has moved. Mei-mei

Thanks coppiner, could you let me know which one is missing? Mei-mei

Hi, well finally got round to taking the back off of this machine and woah what a mess inside. Happily the glass is in great condition considering (pic 1), but needs a careful cleaning. The bits I thought were missing are actually there, they were hidden behind about a million broken pieces of yello...

Thank you pennymachines, that would be perfect. I would rather follow a template than struggle with guessing it It will take me a week or two to sort out the casing anyway. Mei-mei

Hi, thanks coppinpr for the heads up. The part of the plastic track that has the notches in is the part I will screw to the back board. The remaining flat surface will become the track for the penny to follow. I like the idea of the hole being larger than the penny approximately how much larger woul...

Hi, I found a solution to the track, pics below. Using a bit of right angled plastic trim I have cut little notches in it and it bends without any difficulty on the notch. I can then drill through that edge and screw it to the back board. I have used this material before and with a light sanding it ...

Thanks coppinpr, just to clarify are the holes cut into the back board or into the track? Can't quite work out how the pennies would fall towards the backboard if they are moving forward? Mei-mei

Thank you pennymachines, unfortunately the one I have has only the glass supported with wooden struts behind. There is no back plate at all, and it looks as though someone has just tried to stabilise the glass to use it for display purposes only. Would I be right in thinking that these 'tracks' foll...

Hi, I have just purchased the front glass and shell of the above game. (Pic below) I would love to restore it but it is in pretty poor shape. Does anyone have pics of the workings of this machine and some advice on how to proceed? Thanks Guys, Mei-mei

Thanks coppinpr, just done so. I hope it makes sense. MM

Hi, I had some issues finding a 1d nominator for one of my machines, so I found a fix (not for the purists). You can buy on line stuff to make a silicone mould. the silicone putty comes in two parts, each a different colour so you can see when it is mixed correctly the colour will be uniform. You th...