newbie

[nynorm]

Hello all!
My name is Norman, I live in the USA. 

This is my first post to your great website.
I was impressed with all the pictures of your models.
I have to say your site is the best source for model
paddle pictures, thats all I can pull up right now till I'm
allowed to visit the files. 

I found your site while researching info to build a model
of a stern-or-side paddle-wheel railroad-transfer vessel. 
I also would like to build a railroad-barge pushed by a
stern-wheel tug.

I really want to build the model "Despatch" by "Randy Largent" member
of paddleducks.

http://www.paddleducks.co.uk/mkportal/modules/coppermine/displayimage.php?album=search&cat=0&pos=0

I might also build a tug like the Peace River Mining Co.'s tug
boat (fifth pic down)at the tap lines site;

http://taplines.net/092006/chn01


I belong to a modular-model-railroad group.
Each member of the group can build one or more modules.   
Each module is like a diorama, approximately
16 inches wide by 4 feet long.

Once a month, the model-railroad group tries to get together
to connect some of the modules together to run trains.

I would like to build modules with paddle vessels.

The railroad group models in “1/48 scale“, know as “on30”
The prototype is narrow-gauge trains running  on 30 inch track. 
That works out to approximately, “0 scale” running on “HO” track.
That is 1/4 inch to the foot, in Europe I believe it is 7MM.

Could you direct me to where I can find information and plans.
I am having a problem trying to get the proportions right.
Do you have a blog with construction notes on "Despatch".

I thought you would like this info on the Steam Tug EPPLETON HALL including drawings.http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/hhh.ca1508

Thank you, Your New Friend
Norman
Florida, USA

[Eddy Matthews]

Welcome to Paddleducks Norman....

The idea of preventing people from downloading until they have contributed, is purely to stop the idiots that seem to think it's okay to grab everything and give back nothing, as well as the numerous "robots" that crawl the web to grab entire websites.... It isn't intended to stop those with a genuine interest.  So by your first post, you've already shown that you certainly DO NOT fit into those categories, and your access level has been increased to allow you to download files. Please keep us updated on anything you decide to build.

Unfortunately, my knowledge of American paddlers is very limited, though we do have plenty of members who can probably help with any questions - towboatjoe, dinosaursoupman, gretzschel, to name but a few!

I hope you enjoy your time with us....

Regards
Eddy

[nynorm]

HI EDDY!
Thank You for the great privileges.

I have gleaned a lot from just browsing the pictures.

I especially like the progress photos which give me
ideas on how to build the structural frame work.

So far I am trying to plan the proportions by eye.
the only restrictions I have are;
1) three tracks on 3inch centers.
2) thats nine inches between paddle housings.
3) It has to be easily transportable

where would be a good place to start looking for
general model building info, proportions, plans and tips.

Thanks again
Norman
Florida, USA


 

[Dinosaursoupman]

Hello and welcome Norm,

You might want to contact the Great Lakes Historical Society about plans for some of the RR transfer vessels.  Here's the url for their plans page; http://www.inlandseas.org/collections/shipsplans.html.

The plans are broken up by shipyard but not all of the shipyards are available on-line yet. I do know that the plans for the "Transfer" were/are available since I recently requested and received a copy of them. The person I talked to seemed to think that the copies I received were the last set of salable copies they had. I could only assume that they would make other copies but then I'm not certain how things work there.

If you are truly interested in making one of the Great Lakes transfer ferries, then you might be interested in getting a copy of the book; "The Great Lakes Car Ferries" by George W. Hilton (ISBN 0-9658624-3-7). It pretty much covers all the RR ferries from their inception to their demise. Also, if you have Google Earth, check out the areas of Toledo, Ohio and Ecorse, Michigan. You can see a few of these old ferries after they had been converted to RR transfer barges. I believe the "Detroit" or "Windsor" can be seen in both areas, while the "Pere Marquette 10" and "Pere Marquette 12" can be seen in Toledo. Up until recently, the "Lansdowne" was visible in Buffalo but has since been scrapped and a more recent photo of the area shown.

One thing I would be concerned about; If you plan on building in 1/48 the scale, the smallest of these vessels for which I have found available plans, the "St. Ignace" was 215' long and would equate to over 53" long, 5" longer than your module!

Like you, I find these vessels very interesting and will be building one at some point in the future.

For your veiwing pleasure, here are a few photos of some RR transfer vessels taken from the collection at Bowling Green University, http://ul.bgsu.edu/cgi-bin/xvsl2.cgi.

In order they are; The "Lansdowne", the "Ontario", the "Transfer", and the "Transport".

Again, welcome,

Randy

[Red_Hamish]

Hello all, welcome Norman what a great project to take on! The mid-west witht he Great Lakes as Randy has said certainly had some really inventive solutions to mass transport of raw materials. We'll all be as supportive of your project as we can from afar. If you have any photos of the modules you've created then we'll all be delighted to view them in the Off topic and Chat area of our forum. I'm sure there are many modellers here who first set out on the path by building trains and the like.

cheers

Jim

[nynorm]

Hi Randy!

Thanks for the info and pictures, I will pursue your leads.

I haven't been able to come up with good clear pictures like these.

I have been working mostly from post cards, I've glean from the net.

I do love the “transfer” I have only seen pixs of her front,
never had a whole picture of her.

Thanks again
Norman
Florida, USA

[nynorm]

Hi Jim!

Thanks for the encouragement.

Thanks for your interest,
I feel very welcome by you, Eddy and Randy.

I can feel the excitement building to go full steam ahead!

Norman
Florida, USA

[Fred Graham]

Hi Norman,

A warm welcome to you from another paddleduck although, as yet, this particular 'duck' has not built a paddler.

You will find the members here a great help when you have any problems, the wealth of experience is enormous. The banter is good too!

All the best, Fred Graham

[nynorm]

Paddlewheel RR car ferry "Transfer"
this thread is continued at; 
http://www.paddleducks.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=3663.msg16834#msg16834

Norman
Florida, USA