Steamer Ben Ain - Page 2

Grief · 20-09-2005

Richard.

Any research material would be greatly recieved
I have also spent hours so far on the net

Cheers

Chris

**Bunkerbarge** · 20-09-2005

Chris,

Yes thanks, I have those pictures already. The Rhiw site is particularly valuable as not only does it give one or two pictures of sister ships and one of the Doris Thomas herself but it gives some superb period pictures of ships of the same age particularly usefull for weathering and detailing.

For further information I would highly recommend:

"Steam Coasters and Short Sea Traders" by C. V. Waine and R. S. Fenton.

Not only does this book have an interesting plan of the Doris Thomas but it also has a wealth of period details to help with your construction. I used the drawing of a cutaway section through a coaster on page 24 for the guidance as regards riveting layout and the bulwark stays. When you get your kit and read the instructions you will notice that Frank Hinchcliff refers to Mr Fenton as one of his sources of reference.

I have collected other books from such sources as Ebay, mostly now out of print, to collect as many period pictures as possible to help with detail. To be honest such things as my hatch covers are a bit of a guess as to thier actual layout but based on many references of ships of the same type and period. The hatch boards in the book above actually has a completely different layout to those supplied with the kit. I have gone for a recessed handle and transverse boards which I don't think would be considered as out of place.

Anyway I'll post the next chapter soon so you can see a bit of how the model is developing.

If you would like any of the other pictures of my model and the set of the original Mountfleet model send me a PM and we can arrange something.

All the best

Richard

**Bunkerbarge** · 20-09-2005

I decided that before I started in earnest on the model itself the next stage was to get the hull on the water and see how it performed.

I set up a temporary servo for the rudder and the engine controller, lashed them to the back end of the hull and set about getting the plant ready for its first dip in the water. The test tank (bath) proved stability and trim were all set and test runs on the bench with the boiler and engine seemed to indicate that the plant was going to work OK. The things I didn’t know, of course, was how would it perform as regards endurance and reliability when pushing over two stone through the water with the aerodynamics of a breeze block!

The first picture shows the plant undergoing tests outside the hull with all the elements in use. The initial idea was to complete the technical aspect of the model before continuing however what I didn’t realise was how much the steam plant was going to develop as the ideas generated.

Anyway the next two pictures were the first momentous sea trial of the ship when I found out for the first time just how the ship was going to perform. A calm day was required as the decks were not fitted at this stage so it was with a certain degree of trepidation that I raised steam on the side of the pond until the Cheddar gas valve started to work then after a test run I placed it in the water.

Initial things that were immediately apparent included just how remarkably powerful the Richmond engine is. The ship is capable of way above scale speed if required to get out of trouble but it was also noted that when up to full speed it took quite a distance to stop it again!! It also proved to be extremely manoeuvrable due to the substantial rudder, large prop and the very controllable engine. I was extremely pleased with the propulsion set up and just how controllable the whole thing was. The Cheddar gas valve worked superbly and was heard controlling the burner according to the demand of the engine.

Another thing that soon became obvious was the issue with the cooling of the gas tank. Even with raising steam on an external tank and using the Cheddar gas valve the tank still started to cool and affect steam raising capabilities. This was what led me to think of the heat exchanger and a Cheddar pressure regulating valve but more of that when it gets fitted.

I also noted that the engine tended to leak steam more than I was happy with so a bit of careful investigation was required there. The steam seemed to leak from the regulating valve faces and the oscillating cylinder faces so this would need some attention at a later date.

The next couple of pictures show the ship undergoing some more tests at a slightly later date, as can be seen by the fact that the main deck has now been fitted and work has started on the model itself. The idea was that the model could progress when I was happy with the steam plant but as time goes on and more ideas develop more modifications will be made to the plant, which I will describe as I get to them.

All in all I am very impressed with the steam plant and the handling of the model on the water. It is certainly as easy to manoeuvre as an electric model but does require a lot more attention to maintain this. I have had many discussions with many other modellers over the last couple of years regarding steam plant and the same issues seem to be the cause of most of the frustrations. I am certain that many modellers are put off by the fact that steam requires a lot more input and attention and I am convinced that a great number of steam engines have been confined to the back of the modelling cupboard as they have proved to be too much trouble.

So now that the model seems to be working pretty much as I had wanted with just a couple of additions to make to the plant it was time to turn my attentions a bit more to the model itself.

Grief · 20-09-2005

Richard.

The model sits well in the water. I was pleased to hear it handles well.
That was one of my concerns.

Blowing safety valves is really common with steam plants, Takes a bit of fiddling from what i gather in the pub conversations
Its a shame steam is'nt used more often. A friends owns a real narrowboat with a 100 yr old steam engine for a power plant. It needs two people to pilot it one in the engine room another on the tiller. Its the silence the heat and the smell of coal that appeals

My neighbor has a scale traction engine which looks amazing.
At some point who knows I may take the plunge

Thanks for the pics

Chris

**Bunkerbarge** · 21-09-2005

Here are just a couple more pictures of the last time on the water in May. The steam plant has since been removed to allow easier work on the model and to try to address some of the leakage issues with the engine.

As can be seen the main deck has now been added and the hatch is in the process of being made. The construction of the bridge unit has been started and the method of allowing its removal worked on. Somehow this must be a complete unit that can slide off and allow complete access to the steam plant.

The steam plant continues to work well and more things are being learned regarding how to keep the plant reliable. The boiler needs filling up after approximately half an hour, which is conveniently about the same time the separator tank requires emptying. When the boiler is filled the pressure is raised again with an external gas tank to help to prevent the internal gas tank from cooling down too much.

**John** · 21-09-2005

You have some great pictures you can really see the detail, looking forward to more posts

ajg141 · 21-09-2005

Fascinating to see the model developing. Keep up the great work! For those of you interested in another steam boat build look in Gallery 13 at:

http://www.edinburghmodelboatclub.org

This model of a Windermere steamer was built by a club member.

Andrew

Grief · 21-09-2005

Nice Pictures Richard.
I do agree this kit lends itself to steam.

My kit arrived today so i'm like a kid in the candy shop.
I'm going to spend a few evenings looking through everything and decide how much detail to go into.

The kit looks well labelled and the plans look nice and clear. So it onwards and up.
When I get going I will start a new thread with pictures so I dont confuse or clutter your progress.

Cheers

Chris

**Bunkerbarge** · 22-09-2005

Chris,

First thing is do a complete inventry of all parts including all the white metal bits and the printed ply sheets. I was missing a couple of bits including the printed ply sheet for the rear of the bridge and the plastic tube for the cargo winch drum. Both were replaced after a phone call to Frank.

You should have a CD very soon with pictures of the Mountfleet kit and my own boat on it.

It might also be worth bearing in mind that I was advised by John Hemmens not to use the original stern tube but to get one made with proper roller bearings. This I did from the Prop Shop which was where I got my propeller from as well.

All the best

Richard

Grief · 22-09-2005

Hi Richard.

Thanks Richard. I will check it out

Chris