P.S.Goethe

[tonyh]

The Rhine paddle steamer 'P.S.Goethe' is to have diesel engines fitted to replace the steam plant in the coming winter months. The steam engine is need of repairs costing e400,000 half the cost of a brand new diesel engine. Safety factors is another reason why the KD (Koln-Dusseldorf) owners have chosen this route.
Fuel consumption is expected to reduce from 4000 litres to 1500 litres per day. A further saving of engineering staff wages will result in a total saving of e300,000 pa.

Sadly with figures like these, in this commercial world, the KD owners do not have too much choice.

Regards, Tony.

[andy]

Yes, I know. I asked them if they would sell the steamengine to me, but they want to store it and not to sell. In the only 13 years old boilers the Trivapor community is interested and in deal with the KD for getting one for the new restoration of the PS Neuchatel.

Andreas

[Red_Hamish]

Hello all, I can understand the economics of the decision but to not sell to an interested party is a nonsense. OK if the storage shows a working example but if it is to be mothballed in a dusty warehouse Not a good decision if this is the way forward.

cheers

Jim

[scotfriend]

Hi PD's,

some years a go, 8 or so I've been aboard the PS Goethe, we did a sailing from Boppard to Ruedesheim and back. I was be able to go down to see the engine and later also to see the bridge. The engine is a nice small two cylinder compound with 700 hp. The bridge wasn't as nice as the engine, it is like a playstation, no steeringwheel only a joystick and a lot more of this modern stuff.

regards Hans

[andy]

Yes, PS Goethe is something like a Micky Mouse Paddle steamer because of too much changes in between the years- far away from it´s original shape, which was very representative. The engine was the last part, which could be said an historical part of it.

Andy

[tonyh]

Andy,

I must say that despite the changes I think the 'P.S.Goethe' is still a very attractive paddle steamer. Some years ago I built the Revell model of her, and I think the style is superb. The restaurant area's look very impressive. If I win the lottery this is one vessel on my list to visit.
I thought of building an upscaled model for r/c, but the turning circle would be large, and now sadly I wouldn't have the time for such a project.
p.s. we did manage a sail on the Austrian paddle steamer 'Kaiser Franz Josef 1' some years ago whilst visiting St Wolfgang.

Regards, Tony.

[andy]

Hi Tony,

I think you have to visit the Swiss paddlers, then you will see, what a real paddler has to look like. On old photos I think, Goethe was nice, but now---

And the Sachsenberg engines are not so a gleaming heavy metal like the Sulzer and Escher Wyss engines. They look too light, I think. Try to look to Swiss engines. Or to the PS Hohentwiel at the lake Constance. Or Waverley with the 3 cylinder engine.

Andy

[tonyh]

Hi again Andy,

Last sunday, when I went to the local model boat club, I was discussing the Swiss paddlers with a colleague who had just spent the last 2 weeks on holiday in Switzerland. He returned in admiration of the Swiss vessels, the paintwork is gleaming white, helpful staff etc.
Perhaps you are right and these would be the vessels to visit.

Regards, Tony.