Paddleducks
General => Introduce Yourself => Topic started by: Blampied on December 13, 2008, 01:38:27 PM
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I'm Blampied, a new member from Victoria, Australia. I have been interested in paddlesteamers since viewing a couple of small models at Lake Goldsmith, a steam enthusiasts mecca near Ballarat, Victoria. I have a tributary of the Murray River originating from springs on my place which has somehow enthused me to construct a model paddlesteamer. This first boat 1.3m long, will be powered electrically, made from local hardwood and stainless steel is drawn from a composite of many pictures and sketches of Australian paddlesteamers. My long term ambition is to build a steam powered vessel, but the steamplant seems to be prohibitive in cost, so I am looking to this site for ideas
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Hi PD's....& welcome Blampied....[I am sure you must have a real name in life] :hehe......so are you the person that is turning off the tap of water to the Murray?...just joking
Please take the time to read the many electronic pages here on PD's......many on steam & also OZ paddlers....which appear to be of interest to you ...any questions....just ask......& one of the world wide members of PD's will respond........regards Derek....[just up the road a bit {500 miles}
Oh BTW....we also have our :respect OZ PD member........Peter Webster who lives just around the corner from you......[near Cainlea?]
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Does Blampied have a bluestone pub? I have zoomed through there while linking two events in the one day.
I'm guessing that your spring is one of the many sources of Loddon River. Not only was this a Murray tributary (what little gets past the reservoirs), it had a railway sleeping carriage named after it.
Does Lake Goldsmith have any water? Has it gone the way of Lake Learmonth, Lake Wendouree, and Lake Burrumbeet?
There was a time when I could have launched on all of these, and would have done so for a May or November Lake Goldsmith rally (Australia's equivalent of a Dorset steam rally).
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor
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Hi Blampied,
As Derek says what is your real life name. Also I must add that we have the greatest range of Paddlers in the world and the easiest to get sailing from a stability point of view unlike some of those Northern Hemisphere models, see if that doesn't set the cat amongst the pigeons.Cairnlea is in Melbourne's western suburbs, but still, closer than Derek.
Great to have another Aussie on board. How many is it now Eddy?
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Great to have another Aussie on board. How many is it now Eddy?
Too bloody many! :hehe
Eddy
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Eddy are you talking membership numbers or cricket wins?
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Eddy are you talking membership numbers or cricket wins?
OUCH! That hurt! :sobbing
Eddy
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My genuine apologies Eddy :-))
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My genuine apologies Eddy :-))
What for ? A poor team performance? If that is the case, I wouldn't be apologetic, this is substandard performannce ;D
cheers
Jim
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Welcome Blampied. Lake Goldsmith was dry in November, the organisers of the steam rally have made a pool on site for the model boats.
They've also given the lean too on the left of the picture for us to put our models under.
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Hi Barry, any chance of some photos of the on the water action? Even if there are no paddlers in them, you could always post them in the Caht & Off Topic Section. It certainly looks like a very impressive pool construction.
cheers
Jim
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I've put some photos from Lake Goldsmith in the Model Shows section. The organisers at Lake Goldsmith have been great. The pool has a galvanised steel frame with a heavy duty dam liner in it. They're keen to keep anding to the show and see the model boats as an added attraction. If your passing drop in, the next rally is in May next year on the 2nd and 3rd. The rally site is well worth seeing on it's own.
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Well Blampied does have a real name of Lindsay, I have been thinking of replying for too long, so now I am apologetically!
I redrew my first hull diagram four times ending up with overall dimensions of 1500mm by 452mm made from solid hardwood. Our summer has not been kind to modellists as I have had temperatures in excess of 50 degrees C in my workshop, outside 46 C. The first hull bottom, made breadboard style, took on banana shape then curled around like a twisted soul, fortunately the glue remained adhered helping to create an artwork for the winter fire!
The second hull was luckily given sides before any hot days, its heavy yet dimensionally stable. Hopefully a picture or two next time to show progress.
Regards Lindsay
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Lindsay,
I have located the plan of the Blockade runner and can loan it to you to study if you wish. Contact me offline.
Peter W:-)
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Peter Webster. HOW DARE YOU SIR! As one of the custodians of the tradition of REAL paddle steamers I take umbrage (as well as strong liquor). If you are talking about rafts converted from barns with a chicken shed enclosing a traction engine, yes, Oz has a lot.But if you mean the gracefull high speed swans that we call paddlers... well chalk and cheese innit. Well, Australia never built a good aeroplane or car or motor bike or washing machine (how did that get in?). After all if you are chasing a ball around all the time you cant be exercising the grey matter!. Its pistols at dawn for you sir followed by a horsewhipping and being made to drink strong whiskey and a life ban on saying goodonyer mite! (Only joking about the whiskey) regards, Walter.
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Walter,
I am deeply hurt. How can you compare those pompous tourist transporters that you people call Paddlesteamers with our beutiful, rugged, workhorses who have struggled all their working life on the river.To be denigrated in such a manner is tantamount to a duel. Lets say yours ugly duckling called the P.S. Waverley against our lovely "Grand Old Lady" the P.S.Adelaide in a theoretical tug of war. and let the matematicians in the group (preferably from a neutral group like Canada, America or New Zealand) decide an outcome. :hehe :hehe :beer
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Of course Waverley would win a tug of war.
Given a major sponsor, Adelaide could cruise from the Hebrides to the Thames. Enough river steamers did the coastal journey Adelaide - Goolwa (and a couple did the run to Lakes Entrance, on transfer). I guess that a PS Decoy transfer to/from WA was also self powered? Certainly, plenty of boats have conquered the crossing of Lake Alexandrina (large, rough, and with the only lighthouse on an inland waterway in Australia).
Even with a major sponsor, Waverley couldn't make Echuca - Torrumbarry, let alone Albury - Goolwa. I have no time to Photoshop the vision.
Horses for courses, and fitness for purpose.
Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor
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WIN?!! of course waverley would win , with one paddle tied to the rudder and the chief engineer sitting in the saloon eating plum duff!!. Sorry i stirred up such a hornets nest BUT I MeANT TO, What is life without a bit of strife and fisticuffs! Remember these messages are there to get replies. Really I quite admire your paddlers for their simplicity and longevity. Regards, Walter.
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with one paddle tied to the rudder and the chief engineer sitting in the saloon eating plum duff!!.
Walter what would the health and safety people have to say about running a boat in that manner. I also agree with your reasons for the stirring of the proverbial pot.
Peter W