New live steam member from North Carolina...

[clifforddward]

Greetings from North Carolina!...I am elated to finally locate a boat modeling group with heavy leanings toward Live Steam.

While I have been involved in small scale live steam railroading for several years, I am new to model steam boats and paddleboats.  I recently obtained a  Marten, Howes & Baylis "Topaz" kit to build a 1:12 scale live steam Edwardian river launch.  I'm looking forward to sharing my progress as the build up gets under way.  Once I have this project complete I am planning a scratchbuilding project based around a Kingston Moulding Hull.

I have a modest machine shop equipment consisting of a 9" South Bend Lathe, a pair of old Benchmaster mills, and an ancient Buffalo Drill press.  I have built a few steam engines along with some hit & miss IC engines and various other machining projects.

I have always had an interest in the steam engines associated with paddleboats....after having seen a few model paddleboat steam engines I have been wondering if I could tackle making a paddleboat steam plant for my own use....I look forward to learning here on the forum and hope to be able to share and exchange ideas here on the forum.

Regards,
Cliff Wards
Cary, North Carolina

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hey...welcome Cliff...when you get some time spend a FEW hours reading our PD folder LIVE STEAM - better get some  as there are some very interesting & informative postings & threads again by some very capable & talented designers, artisan's & builders

Any questions..just ask  someone will offer help or a life line

regards...Derek in Australia

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi Pd's..& Cliff... if you have MH&B kit hull & engine of a Thames steam yacht...you may consider viewing

http://www.edinburghmodelboatclub.org/gallerys/gallery13/index.htm

regards

[crash93]

Hi Cliff
 Nice to hear you are building a Topaz I have one to build when there is space on the bench, what steam plant are you using.? I was able to get hold of a boiler from them as they use a light low boiler.

Peter

[clifforddward]

Hi Peter:

My Topaz is a recent version.  I obtained the kit from a fellow who bought it new only last August (2007), then lost interest shortly thereafter.  It has the Anton Crystal steam plant with the MH&B boiler.  Your are correct, the MH&B boiler will make a nice low profile installation and is probably the best way to go for this hull. 

The kit directions do a nice job of showing proper layout for the Anton Crystal engine, and the piping is pre-bent to fit the Crystal.  To be fair they also show the layout for the other two Anton engines, but the Crystal looks to be a much nicer installation. 

I am going to try to add a water pump on my Topaz...From my experience of live steam locomotives I know that a constant water level in the boiler can really be a plus.  As things are now on the Topaz operation is pretty much a one shot run of 20-30 minutes with decreasing water level during the run. 

I know that Anton makes a bolt on water pump for the Crystal, and it appears I have enough room to move the engine back and fit in the water pump.  My first obstacle will be getting them to accept an order from me for the water pump.  If I am successful in obtaining the water pump I'll do a posting of the installation here on the Paddleducks site.

I'm also considering if I can fit a larger gas tank and maybe a different gas filling arrangement...but I'll save that discussion for a posting in the live steam area.....

BTW, I also bought a Monahan Heron steam engine from the same fellow where I got the Topaz....from what I can see there would also be room to fit the Heron in the Topaz.

[crash93]

I know Brian Martin Quite well and have had talks with him about things like extra water and pumps ,But the problem is the boat is very tender, and balanced, and he was against any extra weight , the boat sails well , but I have seen one or two that have different boiler/engine's in them and they are not the best performing boats , I take it you want to try and leave the tank in so it can be filled, there is a lot of info on this site regarding this, and there has been a lot of discusion as well over the years but the dangers have always as far as I am concerned out weighed the advantages as the gas is heavier than air and falls to the bottom of the boat, waiting for a spark . Have you thought of a gas attenuator valve. Anton do one so do Stuarts now do the old cheddar electronic one , this saves gas and water as none is waisted and may be an alternative for you to think about.

Peter

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's ....& our new member "cliff ward" who thinks ...'his first obstacle will be getting them [ANTON] to accept an order from me'

 ... don't worry Cliff.....the French manufacturer ANTON is great to deal with by e-mail...& easy payment & great postal service  but the best is ...if you have question with ANTON...you will get an answer

I have only purchased an ANTON V71 gas regulator & a few extras GAZ bits........

[clifforddward]

Hi Peter:
Thanks for your comments regarding addition of water pump on my Topaz.  Actually today I spent 5+ hours on a plane studying the Topaz instruction and layout and have just about come to the conclusion that if nothing else it will be VERY difficult to fit any meaningful water tank onboard...now that you mention the additional weight and perfomance issues I have just about decided to abandon the idea.

Regarding gas tank removal, I must admit that I have no prior experience with gas and steam boats....I had heard of the potential fire issue with gas settling into the hull, but of course in my prior experience with live steam trains this did not apply....I'll go now and search the forum archive to read about the matter.

Great to have access to those more knowledgable as I get started in this steam boat hobby!

Regards,
Cliff

[clifforddward]

Hi Derek:
Thanks for the feedback on Anton...nice to hear they are easy to deal with via email....
Regards,
Cliff

[Monahan Steam Models Inc.]

Hi Cliff,

I noticed you mentioned you have one of our 'Heron Twin" steam engines.

The Heron was designed to fit into the Topaz. However I would have to also agree with what the other members have already said here about not using the water pump that is already installed on the Heron Twin , as there is not enough room on the Topaz for additional water storage.

If you need any help with anything on your new project please feel free to contact us.

We will be glad to answer any questions you may have.

Best Regards,

Nick Monahan

Monahan Steam Models, Inc.

[clifforddward]

Hello Nick:

Thanks for your note.  My current thoughts are to use your Heron steam engine on a future build of a "Yacht Tender" based on a Kingston Mouldings hull I am purchasing....but lots of planning left to do on that project...

I must say that your Heron engine is an outstanding model, and by all examinations looks to be of the highest quality.  I am looking forward to getting it on my test bench and giving it some break-in time in the coming weeks/months.

Regards,
Cliff

[Monahan Steam Models Inc.]

Hi Cliff,

Your kind compliments are sincerely appreciated! I can not begin to express to you how many hours go into building each engine. If you get a chance, drop us a line sometime through our website. I would like to hear about how your new projects are progressing. You sound like you are already very knowledgeable in the live steam hobby but if there is anything we can help with please do not hesitate to ask. Is there a local model boat club in your area?

Happy Steaming!

Regards,

Nick